Shirkent

Shirkent

Shirkent is a delightful mix of unique flora and fauna, geological objects, red sandstone and historic charm.

Location – Tursunzoda District. About 60km west of Dushanbe.
Shirkent valley which is famous for the historical-natural park “Shirkent” is not far
from the town of Tursunzoda, preserves the area’s unique flora and fauna,
ecosystems and natural and cultural structures as well as for the careful study of the
South-West Hisor area.
Natural and historical monuments in the Shirkent River valley are of great
scientific and recreational importance and, together with the scenic landscapes,
from the main content of the historical-natural park. The most significant
geological objects are three sites of dinosaur footprints from various eras
containing more than 400 footprints. The first location with the footprints of these
giant, ancient reptiles is located in one of the right tributaries of the Shirkent River,
slightly above a village with the same name. Two lines of pterodactyl footprints
are seen here on the surface of erinaceous limestone.
This whole mountain structure, formed out of red sandstone, is decorated with
groves and individual dark-green juniper trees. Stone Age and Middle Ages
monuments such as the sites of primitive peoples, ancient mining of copper and
copper-tin ores, cemeteries, and irrigation facilities are interesting archaeological
sights in this valley.
Interesting ethnographic objects, localized mainly in Pashmi Kuhna village,
demonstrate some of the cultural and religious traditions of the present-day
the population of the Shirkent River valley.