Underground mosques of Mangystau region planned to be included in UNESCO list

Several more historical monuments in Kazakhstan may be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The documentation process for including the underground mosques in Mangystau has already begun, according to the country’s Ministry of Culture and Information. The main requirement is that all sites must meet the 10 criteria established by the specialized UN agency.

«This year, the Culture Committee will develop projects on buffer zone boundaries and management plans for each site in line with UNESCO requirements. As part of this nomination, five rock-cut mosques of the Mangystau region are planned for inscription in the UNESCO list. These include Karaman Ata, Shakpak Ata, Shopan Ata, Sultan Epe, and the unique and renowned Beket Ata mosque.  It’s important to note that this work requires time and extensive preparation,» said Zhanat Seidaliyeva, spokesperson for the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information. ¤

The ministry plans to continue this work with the aim of presenting examples of medieval mosques and mausoleums from Kazakhstan, as well as modern architectural solutions, on the international stage.