The Underground Mosque of Shakpak-Ata

Виртуальный тур

The mosque of Shakpak-Ata, located on Tjub-Karagan peninsula, over 20 kilometers to the northeast of the Shevchenko Fort, is considered the most ancient architectural monument in the Western Kazakhstan. The mosque layout as well as its other architectural details, present evidence of a structure belonging to IX-X centuries. The mosque is strictly oriented to the parts of the world, cut down in chalk rock and consists of four chambers, thus being the original example of a cross-dome temple having four columns with capitals. The dome arch of the structure, and round window is cut through in its centre, makes for a yurt type of arrangement.A great number of inscriptions, images of animals and symbolic signs are on the portal and internal walls of the underground mosque.

 

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