Uzgen Architectural Complex, Kyrgyzstan

On the right bank of the Kara-Darya, in the country’s south, there stands one of the most ancient cities in Kyrgyzstan – Uzgen with the 2,000-year history.

In its central part is the Uzgen historical and architectural complex of the 11th – 12th centuries. It consists of three mausoleums conditionally named Northern, Middle and Southern. They are attached to each other and look like a uniform building with portals arranged in line. To the north of the mausoleums there is a minaret. These monuments are considered the classics of Karakhanid epoch. There the governors of Karakhanid dynasty are buried. The earliest monument is the Average mausoleum. It is slightly taller than the others. It is the only mausoleum of the time of Karakhanids with two portals; its ornament is made of burnt bricks.

The Northern mausoleum was constructed in 1152-1153. It is tiled with beautifully carved ganch and terracotta as well as the relief brick ornament. The portal of the Southern mausoleum constructed in 1187 is covered with carved terracotta.

The minaret was constructed in the middle of the 11th century. This slender conic tower is covered by the ornament made from shaped brickwork.