Kasiret Memorial
At the turn of the 20th century, on the outskirts of Shymkent, there was a ravine known to locals as Fox Gully. It was named after the foxes that once inhabited the area. However, this ravine would be remembered for far more tragic reasons.
During Stalin's repressions in 1937-38, Fox Gully became the site of mass executions. Thousands of people, labeled as "enemies of the people" by the regime, were killed and buried here. They were ordinary individuals who had committed no serious crimes. Among them were around 60 exiled priests, executed as the state imposed atheism. Some victims did not die immediately, their agonized cries echoing through the ravine for days. The area became so feared that locals avoided it, and the foxes disappeared. The ravine was given a new, ominous name: Albasty Sai, meaning "the ravine where evil spirits live."
In the late 1980s, during the perestroika years, excavations began in Fox Gully, uncovering the remains of hundreds of people, who were later reburied. The Kasiret (Sorrow) Memorial was erected at the burial site, featuring a sculpture of a grieving woman holding a child, with a park surrounding it. In 2021, a memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the Russian Orthodox Church was consecrated within the complex. Some of the clergy executed at Fox Gully have been canonized and are now venerated as saints.
However, Fox Gully holds sacred significance not only for the Orthodox community. Followers of Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, and other religions were also among the victims. Every year, on May 31, the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Political Repression, memorial events are held at the site.
How to get there?
The Kasiret Memorial is located in the Nursat microdistrict, in the northern part of Shymkent. The nearest bus stop is "Dendropark". You can get there by buses #17, 45, 52, 54, 57, 70, 108, 171, and 171a
Other tourist attractions near the memorial:
- Shymkent Arboretum
- Shymkent Zoo
- Baigut Baba Mosque
- Jailaukol Park
- Kazyna Ethno-Historical Complex
- Kazakh Drama Theater named after Zh. Shanin
- Turkistan Sarayi Concert Hall
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Shymkent, the third most populous city in Kazakhstan, boasts a history that spans 2200 years. The city, which was once a prominent stop along the Silk Road, has a rich historical heritage.