ASTANA – Authorities in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region have announced that five underground mosques located on the Mangystau peninsula are being considered for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The announcement was made on Sept. 22 by the Mangystau regional governor’s office.
The nomination includes five historically significant mosques: Beket-ata, Karaman-ata, Shakpak-ata, Shopan-ata, and Sultan-epe. These sacred monuments were first placed on UNESCO’s preliminary list in 2021. Since then, the Ministry of Culture and Information has coordinated research, documentation, and preservation efforts, which were later submitted to UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
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As part of the preparations, officials established protected zones, installed informational displays, and compiled extensive photo and video archives to support the application process.
International Review Underway
Experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) conducted a technical mission to evaluate the nomination. During their visit, they met with Mangystau region governor Nurdaulet Kilybay to assess the ongoing efforts.
“Mangystau is a land of great cultural depth, home to underground mosques, necropolises, and mausoleums that stand as unique architectural treasures,” Kilybay noted. “Through the Madeni Mura [Cultural Heritage] program, extensive preservation work has been completed. As a result, five underground mosques have reached UNESCO’s preliminary list.”
He further emphasized that achieving full World Heritage recognition will not only protect these historic monuments but also contribute to the cultural identity and economic growth of Kazakhstan.
Commitment to Global Heritage Standards
At the conclusion of the discussions, Governor Kilybay assured that all future conservation and development measures will strictly comply with international heritage protection standards.
If approved, the inclusion of these sacred sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List would mark a milestone for Kazakhstan, strengthening global recognition of the region’s Islamic architecture, history, and cultural heritage.
