The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee began in Busan, South Korea. Kazakhstan awaits the review of its nomination "Rock mosques of Mangystau and associated sacred objects," Orda.kz reports, citing the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More details at infohub.kz.
The session runs from July 19 to 29. During this time, the committee will review 30 new applications for inclusion in the UNESCO list and 147 reports on the state of sites already under the organization's protection. About 3,000 participants from 196 countries, along with representatives of international organizations and experts, have gathered in Busan. Kazakhstan is a member of the World Heritage Committee.
"The session was opened by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and UNESCO Director-General Khaled Al-Anani," the statement said.
It is worth recalling that the work to include the unique underground mosques in the UNESCO list was initiated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a meeting of the National Kurultai in Atyrau. These monuments are true wonders of architecture and faith. According to legend, they were built by the first preacher who came to Mangystau along the Great Silk Road.
The most famous of the mosques is Shopan-ata. It has 12 rooms carved into soft rock and two wooden poles in the center of the hall indicating the direction of prayers. There is also Karaman-ata, the only underground mosque in the region, whose halls and corridors resemble a labyrinth. The Shakpak-ata mosque is carved in the shape of a cross and contains cells for hermits, niches and prayer halls.
Last autumn, the fate of the shrines was assessed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Professor Figen Kıvılcım Çorakbaş, a recognized expert in the restoration of ancient architecture, arrived in Kazakhstan for this purpose.