Rishtan

Rishtan is a small town, buried in verdure, it is located in the east of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in 270 km from Tashkent and in 50 km from Ferghana. Rishtan is an administrative center of Rishtan district of Ferghana valley, with the population more than 50 thousand people. Rishtan is one of the most ancient cities of Ferghana valley on the Great Silk Road. The first records of Rishtan date from IX century. Since earliest times, it is famous as the biggest center of manufacture the unique glazed ceramic in Central Asia. Rishtan ceramic is notable for the gorgeousness of décor, where blue, turquoise and ultramarine colors dominate. A unique blue glaze “Ishkor” is made by hand from natural mineral dye and ash of mountain plants. The pottery wares are made from red clay, which is extracted only here. In XIX century, more than 100 potteries worked in Rishtan. Unique wares of local masters obtained rewards on different international exhibitions, now they decorate expositions of many world museums and private collections. The first pottery in Central Asia was built in Rishtan during Soviet time.

Ancient historical monuments are almost lost in Rishtan, but, undoubtedly, tourists will be interested in visiting Khodja Ilgor’s mosque and mausoleum (XIX century), which are unusual in the shape (not having the analogs in Central Asia).

Also, tourists can visit museums-workshops of very famous masters-ceramists of modern Rishtan – Alisher Nazirov (see the link), Rustam Usmanov (see the link). Here, you will see the whole technological process of the manufacturing pottery wares, and you can buy unique hand-made souvenirs – plates-lyagans, pialas-drinking bowls, kasas, jugs, teapots, vasas, etc.

Rishtan photos

Rishtan on map