Gijduvan Ceramics Museum

In Gijduvan, just an hour's drive from Bukhara (45 km), there is a museum of ceramics, the main attraction of the city. This House-Museum of folk Pottery was opened in 2000 in honor of the master of the XX century Ibodulla Nazrullaev (1927-1987).

The museum is located in the family house of the Nazrullayev dynasty and is part of the Gijduvan Craft Center complex, where, along with ceramics, the traditions of carpet weaving and embroidery of Uzbekistan are developing. The center remains a family business: it is run by People's Artist of Uzbekistan Abdullo Nazrullayev, along with his children Akmal and Dilnoza, as well as his brother Alisher.

The museum's exposition includes modern and historical ceramic works of the Nazrullayev dynasty, as well as ceramics from other masters and schools of Central Asia. Most of the products are associated with the Gijduvan style, which allows us to trace the peculiarities of ceramics in this region, as well as the history of the school's development.

The museum features numerous glasses, teapots, saucers and other tableware items. Decorative ceramics also make up a significant part of the collection, including unusual whistle toys in the form of small fantastic animals (they are called khushtaks).

Gijduvan ceramics is considered to be the central, most famous and most ancient in the Bukhara region. This Uzbek craft has deep roots – according to the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU), the earliest examples of Gijduvan ceramics reach an age of about 1,500 years.

The Gijduvan tradition is characterized by a wealth of colors and a variety of ornaments. The products are characterized by geometric, floral and animalistic motifs with softly blurred contours. The palette is built around yellow-brown and green tones, complemented by blue accents.

Gijduvan ceramics have been repeatedly presented by craftsmen at competitions, festivals and craft fairs in Uzbekistan and other countries, receiving high marks.

According to official data, the Gijduvan Craft Center is visited by 8 to 10 thousand people annually. Among the museum's guests over the years were such famous personalities as King Charles III of Great Britain (at that time Prince Charles), Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and others.

During the visit, museum visitors can not only explore the presented collection, but also purchase some keepsake items. In addition, you can visit the family workshop or take part in pottery workshops with the brothers Abdullo and Alisher Nazrullaev.

After visiting the museum, you should try national dishes – the museum has a kitchen with the famous Gijduvan kebabs, as well as other traditional Uzbek dishes: manti, samsa, lagman and others.

In addition, if you decide to stay longer to better study the ceramics of Uzbekistan or even become an apprentice to one of the masters, then a small guest house with three spacious rooms decorated in the national style is also available at the Museum of ceramics.