Brutal Bishkek: Soviet Modernism in the Kyrgyz Capital

Bishkek, formerly known as Frunze, is the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic - and was our first taste of post-Soviet architecture in Central Asia. 

The city offers a striking collection of brutalist architecture that captures the raw, functional essence of the Soviet era. This architectural style is characterised by its bold, monolithic forms and extensive use of raw concrete, often left unfinished, highlighting its stark, utilitarian beauty.

Bishkek’s streets feature very few tall buildings. The city is not large, but feels spread out and provincial. The capital’s modernist architecture sits among a backdrop of towering mountains and lush greenery; contrasted with dilapidated, unfinished roads and pavements, small local bazaars and bustling western-style all-day coffee shops, complemented by a strong smell of cheap LPG, which is used to run cars and taxis in the city.

One of the most notable examples of brutalist architecture in Bishkek is the Kyrgyz State Circus (цирк). Its circular structure, with ribbed concrete walls and a distinctive, spaceship-like appearance, commands attention and stands as a symbol of Soviet ambition, modernity and longevity.