
Old Osh
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.
Locations of the Tour
- Madrasah of Khalmurzay and Mukhammedbay TurkToday, 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 OgliMohammed 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 QuarterArtisans 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 BathThe 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 BurhiaAsaf 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.

Other Locations
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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…
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Monuments as symbols of changing eras
An imposing monument to Communist leader Vladimir Lenin, erected in May 1985, still stands in Osh’s central square. The statue itself is 11 metres high…
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Original Samsa is in Osh!
Together with pilau, samsa is one of the five culinary staples of Osh. It is difficult to imagine Osh cuisine without it. Unlike the samsa…
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Osh Fortress
The Osh fortress was built in 1919 on the site of the former Tsarist Russian military barracks, located in the very center of the “new…
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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…
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The road to the Pamirs starts in Osh!
The Pamir Highway begins in Osh! The Pamir Highway, one of the highest mountain routes in the world, is an extraordinary landmark and starts right…
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Toktogul Park
One of the oldest city parks in Osh, Toktogul Park was founded in 1878 as the city garden of the Governor-General. During the same period,…
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Russian Orthodox Church
St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral is the only remnant of Russian Orthodox architecture in Osh and was the central landmark around which the Slavic community…








