The Botkin Cemetery is the oldest functioning cemetery in Tashkent, founded in 1872 shortly after the Russian Empire's capture of Tashkent (1865). The site holds three and a half generations of Russian settlers, Soviet-era residents of all nationalities, and later city dwellers. This pillar is the navigational guide to the most historically dense point of remembrance in the city.
Location and transport. Botkin lies on both sides of Botkin Street in central Tashkent. City buses 1, 16, 18, 21, 30, 44, 80 and 96 stop at Mirzo Ulugbek Avenue. Taxi from anywhere in the city: 5–15 minutes.
Historical layers. Three overlapping layers. Imperial (1872–1917): the oldest section to the south, with Russian-classical-style granite and marble headstones; many were high officials of the Turkestan governorate-general, engineers, doctors. Soviet (1920–1991): the majority of the cemetery; includes the 1930s repression evacuees and WWII evacuated families plus Soviet-era leadership. Post-Soviet (1991–present): northern sections and infill, ceramic-portrait monuments.
Ashkenazi Jewish section. One of the most historically valuable plots. Concentrated in the southern area along Botkin Street. Includes 1930s–1940s burials of Jews evacuated from western USSR republics (Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia) during the Stalinist repressions and WWII. Many headstones with bilingual Hebrew–Russian inscriptions.
Military hospital sector. Over 40 evacuation hospitals operated in Tashkent in 1941–1945. Soldiers who died in them were buried in the special «military» sector of Botkin. Some are individual graves, others mass; names are on a memorial wall.
Archives and search. The Botkin administration maintains a registration book; handwritten through the 2010s, partially digitized now. Requests filed in person, by power-of-attorney or via a contractor. Turnaround 5–15 working days.
Care state. Good on main paths, variable on periphery. Plots with named markers and photographs get more regular care. Old stones without markers weather; restoration is a separate service.
What we do at Botkin. Standard search (3–7 days with photo). Subscriptions (12–48 visits/year). Old-stone restoration (~$300+/plot). Hakamat HaMatzevah for Jewish families (we coordinate with the Tashkent Chevra Kadisha). Sorokoust and panikhidas (through three Orthodox parishes in Tashkent).
Adjacent points of interest. Botkin Street 8 — main gate. North — district Ts-1. Southeast — Chigatay (separate Muslim cemetery, separate article). Across the road — Textile Jewish (separate article).