Holidays in Osh City

Sulaiman-Too

Believers call it the second Mecca. According to legend, angels descend on this mountain because the prophet Solomon liked it during his journey through the Ferghana Valley and he decided to choose it as his habitat.

At the very top of the mountain, a miniature mosque awaits you, designed for no more than 8 people.

But to get to it you need to take a hundred small steps located on a steep mountainside.

Having overcome them, you will see a beautiful panorama of the city and touch the sacred places. For example, take a ride on a slide that grants wishes. It is also believed that it is curative and helps those who have back problems.

We will also go to the Eastern Bazaar. It is especially beautiful in summer and early autumn, when the stalls are full of vegetables and fruits that are grown in the south of Kyrgyzstan.

“Risorushka” – an old mill: a place where we will definitely go after the market, where we will buy the famous Uzgen rice. It is considered to be one of the best varieties of rice in the world.

This mill has been in operation for over a century. You will be able to see how rice is processed and prepared for sale according to the most ancient traditions. The owner assures that only the ancient method of cleaning does not break the grains, keeps them firm and whole.

Stupas beat off the grains for about 10 hours before the rice becomes completely peeled. The mechanism works thanks to the water in the ditches. At the same time, the mill can clean up to 120 kilograms of rice.

And then we’ll go on a gastro-tour.

The visiting card of the culinary Osh is pilaf and huge samsa.

Experienced Kyrgyz women – ezhe – will teach you how to cook an incredibly tasty dish.

In Osh, it is customary to eat plov with your hands.

Ancient Minarets

Famous conquerors of the Karakhanid state left behind incredible architectural objects. It was they who first began to apply patterns to bricks.

The height of the minaret, built back in the 12th century, was 44 meters, from here the mullah turned to the local population with a request to escape from everyday affairs and plunge into prayer. 

But the minaret also had one more mission – from its upper platform, the borders were monitored, and secret tunnels were dug nearby to protect against enemy raids.