Kazakhstan travel and tourism blog
Kazakhstan features, attractions, places of interest

Jan/15

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The cave mosque Shakpak Ata

The underground mosque of Shakpak Ata is a unique place, one of the most impressive monuments of Mangystau, the peninsula located on the east coast of the Caspian Sea (Mangystau region).

This mosque is one of the most ancient monuments of Islamic architecture. Also, it has some links with cave temples of ancient religions: Zoroastrianism (fire worship), Hinduism, Buddhism and early Christianity. The photos were taken by Denis Frantsouzov.

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 1

At the foot of the mosque, on the slope of the hill, you can see an ancient necropolis. It is a vast cemetery that dates back to the early Middle Ages.

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 2

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 3

In Shakpak Ata, archaeologists found traces of the people of the Stone and Bronze Ages. For a long time, the cave was used by fire-worshipers.

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 4

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 5

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 6

Nature itself had created this place, and stonecutters only adapted it for their purposes. You won’t find the full symmetry and geometric perfection here. Everything was done simply and naturally. It is one of the main reasons of charming beauty of the mosque Shakpak-Ata.

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 7

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 8

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 9

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 10

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 11

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 12

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 13

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 14

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 15

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 16

Shakpak Ata cave mosque, Kazakhstan, photo 17

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1 comment

  • Fabio · March 1, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Thank you so much.Your post and photos were really useful! Wonderful place.

    Reply

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