The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich

Updated June 4, 2026

The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. With a rating of 4.4 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich at 877C+P63, Sharaf Rashidov Avenue, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Visiting The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich

Located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at 877C+P63, Sharaf Rashidov Avenue, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. GPS coordinates: 41.314251, 69.270535. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

Places to Stay Near The palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich"So after two years it can make visit."

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The Palace of Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich is a historic 19th-century residence tucked away in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It’s best known for its wild blend of European and Eastern architectural styles, plus its odd connection to exiled Russian royalty.

This two-story palace, built in 1891 by architects V.S. Geintselman and A.L. Benois, now serves as a reception house for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You’ll find it near Amir Temur Square in the Yunusabad District.

The palace is a magnet for history buffs and architecture lovers who want a glimpse into Tashkent’s tangled Russian colonial past. If you’re into those sorts of stories, this place is a must-see—even if it’s just from the outside.

Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich Romanov, grandson of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, landed in Turkestan in 1877 after allegedly stealing his mother’s diamonds. He spent the rest of his life in Tashkent, dying there in 1918.

The palace he commissioned reflects his strange position as both prisoner and benefactor. There are Gothic arches on the main facade, an Eastern-style domed room on the west, and European-designed chambers to the east.

Before he died, the Grand Duke left the palace to Tashkent, asking that it be turned into a museum. His stash of European and Russian paintings ended up forming the core of Tashkent’s Art Museum in 1919.

Over the years, the building has played host to all sorts of institutions, including the Republic Palace of Pioneers and a museum of Uzbek jewelry art.

Key Takeaways

• The palace was built in 1891 for an exiled Russian Grand Duke and now serves as a diplomatic reception spot.
• You’ll spot everything from Gothic to Eastern Islamic styles in one building on Sailgoh Street.
• The Grand Duke’s art collection kickstarted one of Central Asia’s most important museums after his death in 1918.

Key Details and Quick Facts

The Romanov Palace in Tashkent went up in 1891, designed by Geintselman and Benois for Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich. He lived there in exile from 1877 until his death in 1918.

These days, the building is the reception house for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, right on Sailgoh Street in Yunusabad.

Basic Information

• Location: Sailgoh Street, Yunusabad District, near Amir Temur Square
• Built: 1891
• Architectural Style: P-shaped, with Eastern, European, and Gothic influences
• Current Use: Ministry of Foreign Affairs reception venue
• Public Access: Not open for tourist visits

Building Features

The palace was built from yellow-gray burnt brick, with two main wings. The left side was for the Grand Duke; the right for his wife.

A central two-story room is topped with a dome and four corner turrets, each capped by ornate minarets.

The western hall is all about Eastern flair, with painted walls and ceilings. The eastern hall leans European, with white ganch (decorative plaster) work restored in the late 1970s.

In 1907, a metal fence went up around the grounds, and the property got gardens and decorative stables.

Historical Timeline

• 1919: Became foundation for Tashkent Art Museum
• 1924-1934: Housed Republic Central Fine Arts Museum
• 1934-1980: Served as Republic Palace of Pioneers
• 1980-1993: Museum of Uzbek Jewelry Art
• 1993-present: Ministry of Foreign Affairs reception house

What to Expect Inside the Grand Duke’s Palace

Step through the carved oak double doors and you’re in a big circular hall, dark wood everywhere, with an ornate lantern dangling from a cast-iron chain. Three doors branch out from this central space: straight ahead, right, and left—each leading to a totally different part of the palace.

The right door brings you to the winter garden, once full of palm trees, citrus, and a Japanese garden. There were even tiny bridges over streams and little houses with figurines.

To the left, you’ll find a spiral iron staircase leading up to the first floor. That’s where the Grand Duke kept his library and billiard room.

The palace interior is a mashup of styles:

• Western dome room: European-style architecture with Gothic arches out front
• Eastern dome room: Traditional stained glass and white ganch (carved plaster) work by craftsmen from Namangan, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent
• Gallery rooms: Once showed off the Grand Duke’s marble statues and European paintings—now in the Art Museum of Uzbekistan

There used to be rooms lined with glass cabinets full of his ivory figurines, medals, rings, and jewelry. One room had a marble Venus statue near a big French window.

The eastern hall’s ganch restoration used a method developed by decorative artist Usta Shirin Murodov in the 1970s. Same technique as at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa palace.

Visitor Planning Guide

The palace is currently used by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It’s not open to the public, but you can check out the exterior and grounds from Sailgoh Street, near Amir Temur Square.

Best Time to Go

April to June or September to October are your best bets for comfortable weather in Tashkent—think 15-25°C (59-77°F). July and August get brutally hot, sometimes topping 40°C (104°F), so not exactly ideal for strolling around outside.

Since it’s a government reception house, you won’t get inside, but you can snap photos of the building’s Gothic arches and P-shaped design. Go on a weekday morning for lighter diplomatic traffic.

Early mornings also mean better light on the burnt gray-yellow brick and those quirky corner turrets.

Winter (December to February) is possible, but be warned—temperatures drop to -5°C (23°F), and snow can hide some of the details.

How to Get There

The Romanov Palace is on Sailgoh Street in Yunusabad, not far from Amir Temur Square. Take the Tashkent Metro to Amir Temur Hiyoboni station, then walk about 10 minutes northeast.

Taxis via Yandex.Taxi or local services run 5,000-10,000 som (roughly $0.50-$1 USD) from the city center. Just tell the driver “Sailgoh Street, Yunusabad District” or “Romanov Palace” (Dvorets Romanovykh in Russian).

The grounds are still surrounded by the metal fence added in 1907. Look for the entrance close to where the Iosifo-Georgievskaya Church stood until 1995.

Visitor Tips

Bring a camera with a zoom lens since you’ll be shooting from outside the fence. The decorative minarets and Gothic arches on the front facade are the real showstoppers.

The palace’s art collection, which the Grand Duke left to Tashkent, now lives at the State Art Museum of Uzbekistan on Buyuk Ipak Yuli Street. Head there if you want to see the European and Russian paintings that once filled the marble statue halls.

Don’t expect guided tours or interior access. The building’s significance comes from its ties to the exiled Romanov and its stint as Central Asia’s first art museum.

It’s a working government facility, so keep your photography low-key.

Notable Sights Nearby

The palace is just a stone’s throw from Amir Temur Square in central Tashkent, so you’re close to a bunch of landmarks and not far from Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities. The area’s a real mix of Soviet monuments, traditional Uzbek touches, and modern buildings.

Top Attractions Close to the Palace

Amir Temur Square is only minutes away and acts as Tashkent’s main gathering spot. There’s a statue of Timur (Tamerlane) on horseback, surrounded by the Hotel Uzbekistan and the Tashkent Chimes clock tower.

You’ll find gardens and fountains here—locals and tourists both hang out in the square.

The State Museum of History of Uzbekistan is nearby, packed with artifacts from prehistoric times through the Soviet era. There are ancient ceramics, Buddhist relics, and Silk Road items.

Chorsu Bazaar, one of Central Asia’s oldest markets, sits under a massive blue dome about 3 kilometers from the palace. You can pick up fresh produce, spices, dried fruits, and traditional crafts while getting a feel for real Tashkent life.

Exploring More of Uzbekistan

Samarkand is 300 kilometers southwest—about two hours by high-speed train. The Registan Square, with its three madrasahs and intricate tilework, is a highlight. Shah-i-Zinda and Bibi-Khanym Mosque are also major draws.

Bukhara is roughly 600 kilometers from Tashkent and has more than 140 protected monuments in its old town. The Ark Fortress and Kalyan Minaret are standouts, and the trading domes hint at the city’s Silk Road past.

Khiva’s walled inner city (Itchan Kala) is packed with Islamic architecture. It’s about 90 minutes by air or a long day by train from Tashkent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some practical details for anyone curious about visiting the palace, or just wondering how a Russian Grand Duke ended up in Tashkent.

Where exactly in Tashkent is the Romanov Palace, and what’s the easiest way to get there without wasting time in traffic?

The Romanov Palace is on Sailgoh Street in the Yunusabad District, a short walk from Amir Temur Square in central Tashkent. By taxi, it’s about 10-15 minutes from most city center hotels, but traffic near the square can be a pain during rush hour.

You can’t miss the metal fence from 1907 that still wraps around the property. If you’re using a ride-share app, drop your pin at the intersection of Sailgoh Street and the nearby government buildings.

Buses stop near Amir Temur Square, but you’ll walk a few blocks from there. The area’s safe and easy to wander in daylight.

What’s the real story behind Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich’s exile to Tashkent, and how did it shape the palace’s purpose?

Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich Romanov, grandson of Emperor Nicholas I and cousin of Tsar Nicholas II, was exiled to Turkestan in 1877—supposedly for stealing diamonds from his mother to give to his mistress, an American dancer. Rather than risk a public scandal, the royal family packed him off to the edge of the empire.

He stayed in Tashkent until dying from lung inflammation in January 1918.

Despite the disgrace, the Grand Duke built a new life in Tashkent. He commissioned the palace in 1891, working with Geintselman and Benois, and designed it with separate wings for himself and his wife.

Before he died, he left the palace to Tashkent, specifically on the condition that it become a museum. His collection of European and Russian paintings from St. Petersburg became the foundation for Tashkent’s Art Museum in 1919.

Can visitors go inside the Romanov Palace today, and if access is limited, what can you still see from the outside that’s worth the stop?

Since 1993, the palace has been the official reception house for Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This means you can’t just walk in and tour the interior unless you’ve got special permission or some sort of official invite.

Repairs and adaptations for diplomatic ceremonies have kept it closed to the public. Back when it was the Republican Palace of Pioneers or the Museum of Uzbek Jewelry Art, you could actually go inside, but that’s no longer the case.

From outside the fence, though, you’ll spot the two-story structure built from burnt yellow-gray bricks. It’s got that distinctive dome and four corner turrets, each topped with ornate minarets.

The Gothic-style arches on the front facade are still visible from the street. Even if you can’t get inside, the exterior has a lot of character.

There’s a metal fence that went up in 1907, but you can still see the palace grounds through it. The Iosifo-Georgievskaya Church that used to stand near the entrance disappeared in 1995, so don’t go looking for that.

Photographers can get decent shots of the building’s exterior details through the fence, especially during the day. It’s not the same as wandering the halls, but it’s something.

What architectural details should you look for to spot the blend of Russian imperial style with local Central Asian influences?

The western dome room leans into Eastern-style design, while the eastern room is decked out in European styling. This contrast was intentional—maybe a nod to the Grand Duke’s balancing act between two worlds.

Out front, you’ll find Gothic arches, but inside, the halls once featured ganch carving, that intricate Central Asian decorative plasterwork. Usta Shirin Murodov restored some of this between 1978 and 1980.

Look up at those four corner turrets topped with minarets—they mix Islamic architectural vibes with the Russian imperial palace design. For 1891, that was a pretty bold move and kind of sums up the cultural mash-up happening in Turkestan under Russian rule.

Regional masters from Namangan, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent all contributed to decorating the eastern hall. Their craftsmanship brought a real local flavor to a building drawn up by Russian architects.

The stained-glass halls, with painted walls and ceilings from floor to ceiling, still hint at that original look. It’s a blend you probably won’t see anywhere else in the city.

What are the best times of day for photographing the palace, and which angles capture the most striking details?

If you’re aiming for good photos, early morning between 7 and 9 AM is your friend. The light hits the facade just right—yellow-gray bricks and Gothic arches pop without those harsh midday shadows.

For the dome and corner turrets, the northeast corner of Sailgoh Street gives you a nice angle. The minarets stand out against the sky there, especially if the weather cooperates.

Late afternoon, around 5 to 6 PM, brings warm side lighting. That glow really brings out the texture in the brickwork and the details on the turrets.

Try standing along the fence line to fit the palace grounds and the full P-shaped layout into your shot. It’s a bit tricky with the bars, but you can get creative.

Honestly, I’d skip midday—11 AM to 3 PM—since the overhead sun just flattens everything. The metal fence can be a pain for clean shots, so if you’ve got a lens hood, bring it. It helps cut down on glare when you’re shooting through the bars.

What other nearby Tashkent sights pair well with a Romanov Palace visit for a half-day itinerary with minimal backtracking?

Amir Temur Square is just a 10-minute walk from the palace. It’s got that big Tamerlane monument and some government buildings that really show off the Soviet-era vibe.

If you keep going, you’ll hit the Tashkent Metro stations. These aren’t your average subways—they’re like underground palaces, decked out with all sorts of elaborate decorations.

The State Museum of History of Uzbekistan is about 15 minutes away by taxi. It’s packed with artifacts that shed light on the Turkestan period, back when the Grand Duke called the city home.

Chorsu Bazaar can add a splash of local flavor to your morning if you start early. Just keep in mind, it does require some backtracking unless you map out your route as a loop.

Broadway pedestrian street runs between Amir Temur Square and Independence Square. You’ll find cafes, street art, and plenty of people-watching opportunities.

This stretch keeps you in a pretty tight area, so you won’t waste much time in taxis. Honestly, it’s kind of the ideal way to get a taste of central Tashkent without zigzagging all over the city.

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