Welcome to old Osh! Let’s walk together at the foot of Suleiman Mountain, in the historical part of the city, and immerse ourselves in the stories of its medieval chronicles.

For many centuries Osh, due to its unique location, has been a focal point for the spiritual culture of the nomadic and settled peoples of the Fergana Valley. The center of attraction was Suleiman Mountain. At its base, remnants of architectural history have survived from the early Middle Ages to the present day.

We start our journey at the Asaf ibn Burhia Mausoleum, then follow the cobbled paths along the foot of the mountain to the ruins of a medieval bathhouse. Then we continue our route to Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque, the only remaining monument of Shaybanid era. After that we make our way along Navoi Street to the picturesque Artisans Quarter, where we can see the Mosque of Mohammed Yusuf Bai Haji Ogli, an example of the ornate wooden architecture that was very popular in the Fergana Valley at one time. The end point of our journey will be the crossroads of Kurmanjan Datka and Navoi Streets, where a whole historic quarter of madrasahs and mosques used to stand.


  • Madrasah of Khalmurzay and Mukhammedbay Turk
    Today, in the square between Navoi, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin Streets, it is difficult to find the outlines of the old quarter of Osh. It lost its historical contours in the 1960s, when a rapid reconstruction began.
  • Mosque of Mohammed Yusuf Bai Haji Ogli
    Mohammed Yusuf Bai Haji Ogli Mosque, an architectural monument of the 20th century, located on Navoi Street, is an example of a “guzar” (quarterly) religious building typical of southern Kyrgyzstan.
  • Artisans Quarter
    Artisans Quarter is one of the favorite urban subjects of Osh painters. After Suleiman Mountain, it is the most recognizable location portrayed by local landscape artists.
  • Medieval Bath
    The remnants of a medieval bathhouse at the northern foot of Suleiman Mountain were discovered quite unexpectedly in 1984 during construction work for a new pavilion.
  • Asaf Ibn Burhia
    Asaf ibn Burhia Mausoleum is located on the southeastern slope of Suleiman Mountain, and was built in the 18th century in the traditions of the Fergana architectural school. In historical chronicles it is mentioned as a mazar, or shrine.

  • Soviet city near the Alai Mountains

    Welcome to Soviet Osh! The current appearance of the city was largely formed during that period. The Second World War delayed the realization of the…

  • “Zero Milestone”: At the foot of Suleiman Mountain

    The square at the foot of Suleiman Mountain’s north face has not always been the open and lively place it is today. Until the 1970s,…

  • History of the Bazaar

    Osh’s old bazaar dates back to the founding of the city, some three thousand years ago. Today, many of the smaller local bazaars have disappeared…

  • Shashlik!

    Shashlik! This delicious dish, beloved all over Central Asia, is an Osh specialty for good reason. Almost every cafe offers many kinds of shashlik. There…

  • Bridges and Ak-Buura

    Osh is a city of countless small bridges. Walking around the city, we often do not notice that we are crossing them, and that below…

  • Altyn Bazaar

    Start your walk around the old bazaar at one of the oldest passageways on Lenin Street, near the historical Sheyit-Tepe neighborhood. It is not visible…

  • Artisans

    The old bazaar is famous for its artisans, who cherish and preserve the secrets of their handicrafts, and whose wares are still in demand among…

  • Diversity

    Start your leisurely stroll through the old bazaar with a piala, the traditional teacup, of fragrant green tea. Stop by one of the local teahouses…