The underground mosque of Shakpak-Ata // SAYA.UZ

The underground mosque of Shakpak-Ata

The underground mosque of Shakpak-Ata

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Took place on: 2025-04-14

A chilly oasis inside a chalk cliff

The Shakpak-Ata mosque was hollowed out inside a chalk cliff somewhere in Medieval times -- there are measures of X-XIII centuries and of XIV-XVI centuries. The scriptures carved here can be traced back to the end of XVIII century.

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When one enters, the chill of cave is layed upon him and can rest here in a room, covered in carpets. This cool microclimate is kept even during summer, when the temperatures outside reach 40°C (104°F). In the shadow. While the sun is scorching as early as April.

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This region for a long time (up to Neogen era) served as an oceanbed of Tethys, and later as a seabad of Paratethys, from which Caspian Sea was originated. So the terrain of Mangistau was formed under an influence of drying saline sea.

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It's amazing how one can find home in such a hostile region.