the silk road | Photo 02

Bishkek, statue of Erkendik (Freedom) at Alo-Taa Square.

Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 1 million, is situated in the north part of the country (Chui-Region). Especially the centre is heavily influenced by the Soviets, and you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonia – concert hall, government building, Historic Museum, Monument for the Great War of the Native Country) but also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence, as well as many statues of Akyns, Manas’chi and local governors of different periods). The city is famous being one of the greenest in the world, due to its countless parks and allees, which make the town nice place to live also in the heat of the summer.