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The central city on the Silk Road
Turkestan (Yassy) was known as a spiritual and political center of the Turkic people and the oldest capital of the Kazakh khans. Pilgrims say three trips to Turkestan as well as a small pilgrimage to Mecca.
Places to visit:
Here on the border of XIV-XV centuries. By request of Amir timur, who was known in history as Tamerlane, there was built a huge mausoleum at the tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Khoja Ahmed Yassavi, poet of the distinction and humanist in Central Asia, the spiritual leader of the Turks, also known as Hazrat (Azret ) -sultan.
Khoja Ahmed Yassavi mausoleum is an unsurpassed masterpiece of medieval architecture. It is an amazing complex of palaces and temples consisting of 30 various rooms and halls. The external diameter of the Main building is more than 40m, its circumference - 130 m, the height of minarets - 12 m. The elegance of the decor, the patterns of ceilings and colored mosaic are strikingly beautiful. The monument has been restored to its original condition and protected by the state. Everyone has a chance to admire the jewel of Medieval Orient in the city of Turkestan.
The whole city center - is a historical and cultural reservation Azret-Sultan. In addition to the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassavi, it includes a medieval bath hilvet, where lived a great saint, the mausoleum of the great granddaughter of Timur Rabiya - Sultan Begim, and other monuments, among which miraculously survived underground house for thought Kumshik-ata. Theological School, founded Yassavi attracted those who yearn for knowledge, from the neighboring towns and remote steppes of Kazakhstan.
The city became the most significant center of education in Kazakhstan. The memorial complex, which appeared on the grave Yassavi, became the most visited temples in Central Asia. At the end of the XIV century. Turkestan acquired unique structure - a large complex of buildings centered around the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed, built by the Great Timur. There are 802 historical and cultural monuments in South Kazakhstan region. Of these, 528 belongs to the archeological monuments, 42 - to the historical monuments and 226 - to architectural monuments.The most interesting archaeological monuments associated with the era of Karakhanids - IX-Xll centuries. It was a time when the Great Silk Road flourished famous city of Otrar, which for several years have been made great archaeological excavations , now it is - part of the historical and cultural reserve - Otrar oasis, and an interesting tourist attraction. Also, there is a beautiful, historical museum, clearly demonstrating the capture of the city by the Mongols, as well as a monument to XII-XX centuries. Arystan Bab Mausoleum, dedicated to one of the saints of the Sufis.In legend, before Muhammad's death gave Arystan Bab rosary that he passed eleven year old boy in the future of the famous Khoja Ahmed Yassavi. The mausoleum attracts many pilgrims from all over Central Asia. There is a center of pilgrimage and a hotel.
40 km north of Turkestan among the desert are miraculously saved, the picturesque ruins of the ancient city Sauran (XVII century.), Known on the Silk Road. By historical places also belong to the natural boundary Ordabasy, now declared as a historical reserve. Here, 30 km from Shymkent, at the beginning of the XVIII century. Kazakhs united to resist the invaders from western Mongolia - Dzhungars. The area also has architectural monuments of the XIX century, represented by mosques and madrassas, which make up the architectural complex -. Appak-Ishan Village Chahin and churches. Nearby, at the foot of the ridge of Karatau, the mausoleum Baidibek-Ata. Baidibek-Ata was a national hero who united the Kazakh people to fight the invaders. Here our contemporaries come to pay tribute to the memory of ancestors.
