Photogallery of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is an interesting city and the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The city’s name literally means “a tool to make kumis” in the local dialect. This is the economic and cultural heart of the country. Needless to say, Bishkek is a modern city with a rich history and heritage. For Kyrgyz people, Bishkek is a “green land” because of numerous oaks and poplars that grow in it. These old trees please generations of locals with their elegance and strength. This is a city with young energy and cheerful atmosphere, and it gladly shares its limitless energy with all tourists who come here from different parts of the world. The history of Bishkek started in the 7th century. At that time, the settlement had another name, Julie, which sounded like “Blacksmith’s fortress”. Many centuries later, in 1825, a fortress was built in this area. The fortress got the name “Pishpek”. It was home to one of the largest garrisons in the Chui Valley. The city’s historical records include information about two captures by Russian troops and local tribes of Baitik Baatyr. The fortress couldn’t serve its purpose anymore and ceased to exist in November 1862. Six years later, a settlement named Pishpek was established on the site of the former fortress. A decade later, the area got the town status. Bishkek got its current name in 1991. This happened after the collapse of the USSR and the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to local beliefs, the city got its … Read further