The most beautiful religious buildings Kyrgyzstan

A wooden mosque built without a single nail! It was designed between 1907 and 1910 by a Chinese architect, Ejoï Si, and erected by Dungan workers in a confusing style that would make one believe it was a Buddhist temple. Its foundations are "floating", i.e. resistant to earthquakes. Because of this building, the architect was condemned for having given construction secrets to the Muslims. The building became a mosque in 1910 and never stopped being a place of worship except when it was closed by the Soviets between 1933 and 1943. Five years after independence, in 1996, a controversy arose between the city's two communities, Buddhist and Muslim, over an inscription painted on the main beam saying "this is a Buddhist temple". The interpretations went well and caused much anger, and finally the inscription was removed and the spirits calmed down. The beams and panels are decorated with painted motifs representing plants as well as the stars of the mythical Chinese bestiary: dragons and phoenixes. It is not always possible to get inside the mosque, but be sure to go around the mosque to see how the different elements are intertwined. On the right side, the light blue wooden minaret is surmounted by a golden dome where the crescent of Islam rises. No guided tours on site. Free access, proper attire required and scarf for women.

Trinity Church had a rather difficult fate. The original brick building, which replaced the yurt under which the settlers prayed, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1894. Rebuilt in wood, the cathedral was partially burnt down by the Bolsheviks, with all five domes removed. Under Soviet rule, the building was used as a meeting hall. Finally, in 1989, it was restored to its former glory, although the wooden facades seem to have long outlived their usefulness. Patriarch Alexis II consecrated the building in 1997. A bell tower was added, and bell ringers from Zagorsk and Sergei Possad in Russia installed the five bells of the traditional Orthodox carillon. Today, the church remains a bustling, busy place for Karakol's large Orthodox community. Depending on the time of year you visit, the gardens and exterior may appear poorly maintained or unkempt, but the five golden domes are irresistibly charming when they take on their most beautiful hues, reflecting the colors of the sunset at the end of the day. Inside, a whole collection of icons, candelabras and incense burners are the object of great devotion. In the entrance hall, you can view photos of the building's restoration. Don't forget to observe a few basic rules during your visit: don't keep your hands behind your back and don't turn your back to the crucifix, so go out backwards.

The mausoleum has a very classical form: a brick cube supporting a pointed roof. The building dates back to the ^14th century, as evidenced by the arrangement of the bricks, which form a network of geometric decorations quite common at the time. The remains of the famous storyteller are believed to lie beneath the mausoleum's foundations. In addition to the mausoleum itself, visitors can wander around the battle site and visit the large museum dedicated to the most famous of Kyrgyz epics. In summer, equestrian games are frequently held near the mausoleum.

Taste the peaceful atmosphere of the village, meet the aksakal who never leave the shady gloriette in the town centre... Arslanobob, at the foot of the mountains, offers all the freshness and authenticity of a successful stopover. From the central square, cross the bridge over the river to the bazaar. Just above, on the left, you will find a mosque and the mausoleum of Arslanbob Ata, a local hero who died nearby in the 11th century and to whom the village owes its name. There is nothing special about the architecture.