NECROPOLIS

Necropolis.Aktau - Sultan-Epe canyon - Kapamsay canyon - Shakpak-Ata mosque - Aktau

Duration: 1 day 
Departure from Aktau city to the Sultan-Epe canyon (30 km, cart-road).
Firstly, you will be visiting of the patrimonial cemeteries Karagashty-aulie and Ushtam (16-19 centuries). There is the tomb of the saint Sultan-Epe and the underground mosque on the board of the canyon.

Then, you will be moving from the Sultan-Epe to the underground Shakpak-ata mosque (30км-s, a grader and cart-road). After that you will get a chance to have a survey of the cretaceous Kapamsay canyon. This amazing trip will end with the dinner in field conditions. (13.00 - 14.00)
The Necropolis of Shakpak-Ata (10th-13th cc.) and its underground mosque are located on the Tupkargan peninsula, 15 km from Sarytash bay. The Shakpak-Ata mosque takes the shape of a Latin cross. It is cut into the slope of a stone outcrop between two ravines going down the face of Ungazymountain. The cruciate shape of the mosque brings to mind another purpose of the mosque in pre-Islamic times. Shakpak-Ata mosque displays the best traditions of nomadic stone work.

The entrance to the mosque is formed as a portal arch, with several recesses for the entombing of revered imams cutout nearby. The mosque takes the shape of a regular cross with an elongated southern end. The corners of the central square hall are decorated with massive columns which support a high arch with a round opening in the middle. The arches between the columns have remnants of multi-colored murals.

There are small rectories in the western section of the mosque. The walls of the mosque's halls, portal and recesses are covered with paintings from different times - contour images of horses and riders, bulls, open palms, and floral designs. A Sufi poem about this world's fragility and life's futility stands out among the other inscriptions.