Inside Kazakhstan’s historic rock-hewn mosques now recognised by UNESCO

Five rock-hewn mosques and associated sacred sites dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries make up Kazakhstan’s newest UNESCO World Heritage property. The complexes preserve centuries of Sufi tradition alongside much older beliefs. The World Heritage Committee adopted the decision at its 48th session on 25 July in Busan, South Korea. This follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s 2024 instructions to pursue the inscription of these rock-hewn mosques on the World Heritage List. Set amid the otherworldly landscapes of Mangystau, the newly recognised mosques and their associated sites are named after revered Sufi masters: Beket-Ata, Shopan-Ata, Karaman-Ata, Shakpak-Ata and Sultan-Epe. In Central Asian Sufism, ‘Ata’, meaning ‘father’ or ‘ancestor’, is used as an honorific for a revered spiritual figure. Their spiritual lineage traces back to the 12th-century Sufi master Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. His teachings helped spread Islam among the Turkic-speaking peoples of Central Asia, connecting Islamic practices with older Tengri beliefs and local shamanistic traditions. The mosques welcome both pilgrims and visitors seeking to explore Kazakhstan’s spiritual, cultural and architectural heritage. Mangystau – the cradle of nomadic spirituality According to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the complexes reflect the evolution of a distinctive spiritual culture. They represent “sacred practices in which Islamic Sufi spirituality organically continued and transformed more ancient practices related to ancestor worship, the sacredness of the landscape and the role of spiritual leaders”. Developed over many centuries, the monuments show how spiritual traditions and practices were adapted to the region’s distinctive natural environment and geological features through local architecture. Speaking at the 48th session in July, Erlan Karin, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Commission to UNESCO and ICESCO, highlighted the significance of the inscription for the country. “The inscription of the sacred monuments of Mangystau on the World Heritage List was not only a recognition of their significance for humanity as a whole, but also a tribute to the rich history, spiritual heritage and cultural identity of the Kazakh people.” For local resident Almagul Zhaiman, the sacred sites embody a faith passed down through generations. “These sacred sites have been preserved because of the faith passed down through generations, the knowledge of that heritage, preserving it and passing it on to our future generations. I believe that is what makes all these mosques so meaningful to us,” she said. The Sufi masters of the mosques Karaman-Ata was a Sufi missionary who came to spread Islam in the region. His mosque is believed to date back to the 12th or 13th century, while its associated necropolis is one of the largest and oldest in Mangystau. For the Kazakhs and Turkmens who lived on the Mangyshlak Peninsula, the necropolis was considered a sacred place. According to local tradition, it was also a site for resolving disputes and negotiating peace. Those who made vows there were expected to honour them, as breaking a vow was believed to bring death and the end of one's lineage. Karaman-Ata is believed to have been the grandson of Shopan-Ata, a 12th-century mystic revered as the spiritual protector of shepherds and their livestock. According to tradition, Shopan-Ata was a disciple of the renowned Sufi master Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Once part of an ancient caravan route to Khorezm, Shopan-Ata’s site remains an important destination for Sufi pilgrims. Beket-Ata is said to have regarded Shopan-Ata, who lived centuries earlier, as a spiritual mentor. Local traditions attribute extraordinary abilities to the 18th-century scholar, healer and architect, including teleportation and levitation. “He was also regarded as the last and highest-ranking spiritual master among other holy men, which is why he became known as Pir Beket,” said Bakhtiyar Esimbetov, caretaker of Beket-Ata’s mosque. In Sufi tradition, the Persian word ‘Pir’ refers to a spiritual guide or master, often one who has attained a high level of spiritual wisdom. The Shakpak-Ata complex served as one of the region’s principal Sufi centres for centuries. Shakpak-Ata is believed to have lived sometime between the 9th and 14th centuries. Carved into a chalk and limestone cliff, the sanctuary is arranged around a central domed hall with a cross-shaped layout. Local traditions say the scholar taught astrology and astronomy, as well as ideas linked to the cosmos. Inside the mosques’ architectural layout According to local belief, divine signs guided the Sufi masters to the places where they built their mosques. The sanctuaries are scattered across Mangystau, in western Kazakhstan, a region shaped by its nomadic heritage and geological history. Much of the area was once covered by the ancient Tethys Ocean. Locally known as “underground mosques”, the complexes were built in natural caves, carved into steep rock faces or dug into the ground, providing shelter in the semi-desert landscape. Their architectural layouts vary. They include prayer halls, mihrabs, rooms for contemplation and self-reflection, multifunctional spaces and tombs of the Sufi masters, sometimes alongside those of their immediate families. Some underground cells were carved out for silent meditation and ascetic isolation. “These underground mosques were places of retreat from society, where people could withdraw from everyday life and devote themselves fully to spiritual purification,” said Yersultan Islam, a local sacred sites guide. The complexes also feature courtyards, water sources, sacred trees, pathways and cemeteries, some of which date from the 10th to the 20th centuries. Pilgrims For centuries, Mangystau’s sacred mosques have been important destinations for pilgrims. Visitors are expected to dress modestly, while women are required to cover their heads before entering the underground mosques as a sign of respect for the sacred sites. The sanctuaries attract not only local worshippers but also pilgrims from abroad. Among them is Dinara Farvazova, whose family travels from Bashkortostan, Russia, to visit Mangystau’s sacred sites year after year. “We read the Quran here, pray and make wishes. People come here seeking healing, and many see their dreams come true. They then tell their relatives and friends about the place, who come here too.” Some visitors come in search of a deeper understanding of Islam. Kaahn Ozturk, a traveller from Turkey, stopped at Karaman-Ata’s mosque during a long-distance motorcycle journey across the country. “I have lots of questions in my mind, and I just want to find answers. That’s why I’m trying to discover every mosque, every place, every idea about Islam, to understand it better.” Rinat Aubekerov and his wife, ethnic Kazakhs from Russia, made a pilgrimage to Shopan-Ata, hoping their prayers to have children would be answered. For Davide Passanante, a visitor from Italy, the appeal was different. After experiencing the crowds of summer tourism at home, he found a sense of calm in the remote sanctuaries. Travelling with a group of friends across Mangystau’s Martian-like landscapes, he was struck by the region’s spiritual atmosphere. “I'm very impressed because the religion here is very important. I see how people pray and how they feel, how they think of God every time.” Easing travel for visitors to sacred sites The remote sanctuaries are attracting growing numbers of pilgrims from around the world. Kazakhstan is now planning to improve access to the newly listed sites while preserving them for future generations. A five-year comprehensive development plan, due to begin in 2027, is expected to support tourism at the sites, including restoration work and the development of new visitor infrastructure. Each sanctuary already has basic facilities where visitors can sleep and eat free of charge, although donations are welcome to help cover maintenance costs. Plans include building visitor centres at Shopan-Ata, Beket-Ata and Karaman-Ata, complementing the existing centre serving Sultan-Epe and Shakpak-Ata. “An asphalt road will be built to the site as part of the development plan. We also hope that internet connectivity issues will be resolved,” said Baltabai Balapan, director of the Mangystau State Historical and Cultural Reserve. The five rock-hewn mosques and associated sacred sites of Mangystau, now collectively inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, are bringing the region’s spiritual heritage to a global audience, inviting visitors to discover its sacred landscapes.