The Langar-Ota cultural and religious complex in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region has reopened after a major restoration, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan.
The restoration project was funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, which allocated $250,000 for strengthening the foundation, replacing the roof, and preserving the site’s historic Timurid-era tilework.
Work on the monument began in autumn 2023, led by specialists from the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures at the University of Chicago. In addition to carrying out the restoration, they shared their expertise and trained local professionals in heritage preservation techniques.
At the reopening ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick emphasized the global importance of cultural heritage, stating that monuments like Langar-Ota transcend national borders and hold significance for people around the world.
Located in the village of Katta Langar, the complex includes a mosque and mausoleum, known for its intricate Timurid tilework and carved wooden beams. Langar-Ota is also a revered site for Sufi pilgrims, and was once believed to house one of the oldest surviving copies of the Qur’an written in Kufic script.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports on the restoration of the Hazrati Imam Complex in Tashkent, another key project in Uzbekistan’s efforts to preserve its Islamic cultural heritage.
