The Kazakh city of Kentau is becoming a new tourist
destination. Unique routes are being developed to guide visitors not only through
historical landmarks but also to sacred sites. One such route leads to the
Shamet Ishan Museum in the village of Karnak. This former mosque was once a
place of study for prominent figures such as Bukhar Zhyrau and Omarkhan Auezov.
The 18th-century building, a masterpiece of architecture and acoustics, is
currently undergoing restoration to preserve its historical appearance.
Tourists visit this site from across Kazakhstan and even from abroad.
«After the October Revolution, the building served as an orphanage,
a school, and even a warehouse. Eventually, the situation reached a point where
it was decided to demolish the monument and build something else in its place. However,
thanks to one of the villagers from Karnak, this story has become quite well-known.
According to the local version, three generations of the Mirzayev family have
been dedicated to preserving the mosque-madrasa, which has since been converted
into a historical museum,» said local historian Vladimir Privalov.
The legendary Taikazan, a symbol of unity and generosity of
the Kazakh people, is kept in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan.
It was cast in the village of Karnak. In the same village grows a mulberry tree
called Mazhratut, which experts estimate to be over 1,500 years old. As the
legend goes, this tree was planted during the campaign of the Arab commander Qutayba
ibn Muslim in the region. Remarkably, the tree still bears fruit to this day. It
takes at least twelve people to encircle its trunk.
«Every year, the tree bears fruit at different times and on
different sides - one year from Turkistan, the next from Karatau. This unique
characteristic makes it sacred. Next to the mulberry tree, there was a spring where
people came specifically to drink,» said tour guide Mirza Mirzayev.
As local residents say, this is just a small part of Karnak’s
unique heritage and history, making the area interesting for tourists to visit.
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