Back to category Published: 17 july 2022 Author: Zhanna Mukhatzhanova

Karaman Ata Necropolis

The cemetery’s architectural highlight is a mosque cut inside a rock. Kazakh Soviet architect Malbagar Mendikulov dated the mosque back to the 12th century. It consists of three rooms: an antechamber, a prayer hall, and a round room, in which Karaman Ata is allegedly buried. The rooms are connected by a long corridor. The ceiling of the prayer hall is supported by columns. To illuminate the hall, two round light openings were cut through in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the northwest wall of the prayer hall has partially collapsed.

The mosque is surrounded by a cemetery with the most ancient tombstones dating back to the 8-9th centuries. The western part of the Karaman Ata Necropolis includes not only Kazakh but also Turkmen graves.

Мечеть Караман-ата

Who was Karaman Ata?

According to legend, Karaman Ata was a Sufi who came to Mangystau to preach Islam. He is also believed to be the grandson of Shopan Ata, a religious leader and an educator. Shopan Ata Underground Mosque is a two-hour drive from the Karaman Ata Necropolis.

Also, legend has it that Karaman Ata and his brother Akman Ata were friends with Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (a distinguished Sufi master), but then they quarreled. As a result, the brothers had to leave for Mangystau. Here Karaman Ata began the construction of an underground mosque, in which he was later buried.

The Kazakhs and Turkmens who lived on the Mangyshlak Peninsula considered the necropolis to be a highly spiritual place. In the event of conflicts, peace negotiations took place there and people vowed to keep peace. If a person breaks the vow, he dies and his lineage is broken.

How to get there?

Karaman Ata Necropolis is located near the village of Beki, 35 km (22 mi) south of the village of Shetpe. The distance from Aktau to Beki is 125 km (78 mi); the road takes an hour and a half. First, you need to drive towards the village of Munaishy, then turn left towards the village of Zhetibay and drive straight for about 30 minutes. The road between Beki and the necropolis is unpaved, so driving an off-road vehicle is recommended.