St. John the Baptist Church, Samarkand 🇺🇿

If you are exploring the historical city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a visit to the St. John the Baptist Church offers a unique look into the region's diverse religious history. As the only Catholic church in Samarkand, this house of worship operates under the Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan based in Tashkent.

You will find a fascinating backstory here: in the 19th century under the Russian Empire, a small Catholic minority of Polish and German merchants and employees settled in the area. Though an initial 1905 request to construct a church was denied, the arrival of Polish prisoners of war from Poland, Prussia, and Austria in 1915 helped the community purchase land on present-day Makhmud Kochgari street. Designed by the architect Nelle and completed in 1916, this Neo-Gothic building was later closed by Soviet authorities in 1930 to house a school.

Following efforts led by Father Ivan Rolloff starting in 1995, the community recovered and officially registered the building in 1997. After dedicated restoration work, the church was re-dedicated on March 27, 1999. Today, when you stop by, you can appreciate a site lovingly run by a Polish priest, Father Luciano Szymanski, alongside two brothers from a Polish Franciscan monastery.

What to see at St. John the Baptist Church, Samarkand

• The only Catholic church located in the city of Samarkand
• Striking Neo-Gothic architecture designed by the architect Nelle
• Historical roots tied to 19th-century merchants and 1915 prisoners of war
• Reclaimed and restored in the late 1990s after decades of closure
• Currently served by a Polish priest and Franciscan brothers

Visiting tips

Located on Makhmud Kochgari street, this historically rich Neo-Gothic site is easy to include while exploring central Samarkand.

How long: 30-60 minutes · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

St. John the Baptist Church, Samarkand is easy to reach on Samarkand’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Afrasiyab. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Samarkand travel guide.