Makon Mall (former GUM)

From department store to mall

Makon Mall is a shopping centre in the middle of the new town, on Shohruh Street, housed in the building of the Soviet-era GUM state department store. Inside are clothing and electronics shops, cosmetics and jewellery, and a food court — the city's former main department store is still where many locals go shopping.

Next door is the small Marmar farmers' market, better known in town by its Russian name, Krytyy Rynok — the Covered Market. It is a calmer place than Siyob Bazaar in the old town to buy fruit, vegetables, bread and groceries. Behind the mall stands the Soviet-style Sharq Yulduzi ("Star of the East") cinema, and from here pedestrian-friendly Mustaqillik Street sets off.

The Alisher Navoi Central Park and University Boulevard are a few minutes' walk away.

Did you know?

GUM stands for "State Universal Store", the name given to the main department store in large Soviet cities. Samarkand's GUM was the commercial heart of the new town and only later became Makon. The building stands at the very centre of Russian Samarkand, between the Dinamo Stadium and University Boulevard.