Construction of a new tourist complex has begun at Lake Iskanderkul, aimed at developing tourism and improving the quality of service for visitors to the region. The press service of the Sughd region administration reported this.
The project is being implemented with the support of local entrepreneurs. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on January 14 and was attended by the Sughd governor, Rajab Ahmadzoda.
The complex will be built in the Fondaryo Jamoat area, covering 1.08 hectares. The project includes the construction of three three-story buildings and five one-story structures. It will also feature parking facilities, a sports ground, a restaurant and cafe, walking areas, a children's playground, and other
Iskanderkul is a mountain lake of glacial origin in Sughd province. It lies at an altitude of 2,195 meters on the northern slopes of the Hisor Range in the Fann Mountains. Triangular in shape, it has a surface area of 3.4 square kilometers and is up to 72 meters deep. Formed by a landslide that blocks the Saratogh river, the outflow of the lake is called the Iskander Darya, which joins the Yaghnob River to form the Fon Daryo, a major left tributary of the Zarafshon River.
134 km from Dushanbe and 23 km from the Dushanbe—Khujand road, Iskanderkul is a popular tourist destination.
It is considered one of the most picturesque mountain lakes in Tajikistan, attracting tourists from both near and far abroad every year. The lake is also a popular leisure spot among local residents.
According to scientists, the water level of the lake was much higher in ancient times, as evidenced by marks on the surrounding mountainsides, located more than 120 meters above the current lake level.
The lake takes its name from Alexander the Great's passage in Tajikistan: Iskander is the Persian pronunciation of Alexander, and kul means lake in many Turkic languages. There are two legends connecting the lake to Alexander. The first one states it used to be a location the inhabitants of which resisted Alexander's rule, and in fury, the king ordered to divert a river and annihilate them. The second legend states that Alexander the Great’s legendary warhorse Bucephalus had drowned in the lake.
