The most beautiful religious buildings Karakol

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.