Traditions Square in Samarkand is a space where traditional Uzbek crafts are presented through live masterclasses. Here, craftsmanship is not confined to the display of finished objects; it unfolds in the act of making.
Alongside the precise movements of artisans and the steady rhythm of their tools, the air carries the scent of spices and the warmth of the hearth. The square also hosts culinary masterclasses devoted to Uzbek cuisine, where recipes are prepared step by step rather than simply described.
This is a place where tradition exists not behind glass cases, but in action – in raw materials, in gestures, in shared participation. Nothing feels static. What you see is being shaped in the moment.
Samarkand is known for its monumental mosques and madrasas. Exploring them can take several days and many thousands of steps. Yet there often comes a point when you wish to slow down and engage with the city on a more human scale. Time spent at Traditions Square offers precisely that shift in perspective, adding texture to your understanding of Samarkand beyond its grand façades.
Traditions Square lies in the western part of the city, around 5 km (3 miles) from the Registan ensemble. The nearby Malika Hotel serves as a useful landmark. Most activities last about an hour, several are suitable for children, and visitors can choose from more than fifteen different masterclasses. Below, you will find an overview of the crafts you can explore at Traditions Square.
Decorative Arts Workshops
The most visually varied workshops are the decorative masterclasses, where the brush becomes your main tool. Under the guidance of an artisan, you learn how pigments are prepared, how surfaces are treated, and which techniques are used to apply ornament. Colour combinations and compositional balance are explained step by step. Just as importantly, attention is given to the meaning behind Uzbek patterns and motifs – symbols that have travelled through centuries of craft tradition.
After around an hour of careful work, you leave not only with a finished piece, but with a clearer understanding of how ornament functions within Uzbek culture. The object you create becomes a personal souvenir of Samarkand and Uzbekistan – something shaped by your own hand.
During these workshops, participants may paint key rings, magnets, silk scarves, ceramic plates or decorative pumpkins, try their hand at Arabic calligraphy or Uzbek miniature painting, experiment with mosaic technique, decorate handbags or create traditional Uzbek tumours – protective amulets rooted in local belief. After 40 to 60 minutes of focused work, you leave with an object shaped by your own effort – a small but personal reminder of Samarkand. The sessions are suitable for children.
Hands-On Craft Workshops
For those who want to create something distinctive using more than a paintbrush, Traditions Square offers masterclasses in blacksmithing, leatherwork, embroidery and weaving. In these sessions, you can learn the craft behind Uzbek pchak knives, make your own leather cardholder, try traditional suzani embroidery, and create a bracelet featuring kokhma symbols. The result is a personal souvenir – something you have made yourself, and something that can continue to bring you back to your time in Samarkand. Since making a knife from start to finish takes eight to ten hours, the knife masterclass is designed as a concentrated introduction to the process; afterwards, each participant receives a small knife as a gift, made by the hands of a master craftsman. All masterclasses last between 40 and 60 minutes and are suitable for children, although leatherwork and knife-making are available from the age of 14.
Uzbek Cooking Masterclasses
Uzbek cuisine is one of the country’s defining cultural expressions, and learning how dishes are prepared offers a direct way to connect with everyday life in Samarkand. At Traditions Square, visitors can join masterclasses devoted to Samarkand flatbread, Samarkand pilaf, Uzbek samsa and steamed manti.
Depending on the programme, you will prepare dough, practise shaping techniques and learn how spices and heat influence flavour and texture. In the case of pilaf, two formats are available: a full 2–2.5 hour version covering every stage of preparation, and a shorter one-hour session in which the cauldron already contains a prepared mixture of meat, vegetables and spices, ready for the rice to be added.
Cooking workshops last between one and one and a half hours and are organised for groups of at least five people. They are suitable for children. At the end, participants gather to taste the dish they have prepared – a simple moment that often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the visit.
Private Events and Cultural Evenings
Seasoned travellers often find that the most lasting impressions come when they take part rather than simply observe. Traditions Square offers precisely that opportunity – a chance to engage directly with Uzbek culture through practice and conversation. Yet the format extends beyond individual workshops.
By prior arrangement, full-course lunches and dinners can be organised on site, along with folklore performances featuring Uzbek dances, traditional rituals and live music. The Samarkand Breakfast is particularly appealing – a morning gathering that introduces local culinary customs in an unhurried, convivial setting.
For larger groups of up to 100 guests – including corporate team-building events in Uzbekistan – private programmes can be arranged, combining masterclasses, meals and a staged performance into a single, coordinated experience.
Traditions Square operates by advance booking. The Advantour team can assist in incorporating this distinctive venue into your wider journey through Uzbekistan.