A brief excursion into history. Brief information about the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan

Numerous legends connect the founding of the city with the names of Alexander the Great and the prophet Suleiman (Solomon).

Scientists are still arguing about the etymology of the name of the city and can not come to a single solution that would suit them all. And this is due to the fact that its roots go very deep into the centuries. Cult ministers naturally associate the origin of Osh with legends and, of course, with the biblical Sulaiman (King Solomon). So, one of the legends says that once the king led his army, and in front drove a pair of oxen with a plow. When the oxen reached the eminent mountain, Solomon said: “Hosh!” (i.e. "enough"). Therefore, some believe that this is how the name of the city came about. However, strangely enough, none of these legends explains either the fact of the origin of the city or the etymology of its name, but still testifies to the antiquity of the agricultural occupations of the inhabitants of these places.

Thus, to doubt that Osh is ancient city in Kyrgyzstan and one of the ancient urban centers of Central Asia, is not necessary. The written history of the city dates back over a thousand years, while archaeological finds, meanwhile, take the foundation of the city back 3,000 years ago.

The emergence of Osh is associated with the settlement of ancient farmers of the Bronze Age, discovered on the southern slope of Suleiman Mountain, considered sacred from time immemorial and keeping evidence of ancient cults of the Islamic period.

The further development of the city is connected with the geographical position of the city, which is located in a fertile valley at the foot of the Pamirs, Pamir-Alay.

Due to its situational location, Osh was a crossing point on the trade caravan routes of antiquity and the Middle Ages from India and China to Europe. One of the branches of the Great Silk Road, which was the most important trade artery of antiquity, connecting East and West, passed here.

The trading city of Osh was very famous for its bazaars and caravanserais. And the main bazaar, located on the left bank of the Ak-Bura River, was a classic example of an oriental covered market - tima. For more than two millennia, the main bazaar in Osh has been living its noisy and vibrant life, changing its buildings and expanding its borders, but still remaining in the same place chosen in ancient times.

In ancient times, Osh was one of the religious Muslim centers of Central Asia. This is largely due to the Suleiman-Too mountain located on the territory of the city, which legends and folk tales endow with extraordinary power and the ability to heal any ailments of pilgrims.

In 1876, Osh was annexed to Russia after its preliminary conquest by the Kokand Khanate. Since 1876, Osh has been county town, and since 1939 - the center of the Osh region in Kyrgyzstan.

Modern Osh is the industrial center of Kyrgyzstan. Here is one of the largest Central Asia cotton mill, silk mill, enterprises of the construction industry, metalworking, mechanical engineering, enterprises of light, food, woodworking industries, airport.

Attractions

The most significant of places of worship Cities: Alymbek Paravanchi Datka Madrassah, Mukhamedboy Turk Khal Muratbaev Madrassah are magnificent examples of the Ferghana architectural and construction school.

Many parks and historical and cultural monuments are concentrated in the city: Sadykbay Mosque, Shahid-Tepa Mosque, a medieval bathhouse; memorial Complex"Evening fire"; monuments: V.I. Lenin, Toktogul Satylganov, Abdykadyrov, Sultan Ibraimov, Orozbekov, Kurmanzhan-Datka, Alisher Navoi; Osh settlement: cave "Echo of love", grotto " bird home»; beautiful places: Kyl-Kuprik, Beshik-Tash, Chakki-Tamar, Kol-Tash, Sylyk-Tash; as well as an ancient cemetery, petroglyphs. Along with the monuments of the Muslim cult, in the central square of the city there is the only monument of Russian Orthodox architecture of the early 20th century in the city, the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk Church. Unfortunately, this monument had to endure all the hardships associated with the "cultural revolution" of the Soviet government, but in 1991 it was returned to the Orthodox religious community.

Unfortunately, neither the fortress wall with three gates, nor the citadel surrounded by shakhristan, nor the cathedral mosque near the bazaar, by the way, another important symbol of the city, which is more than two thousand years old, has survived from ancient Osh to the present day. This is a real chaotic oriental bazaar with narrow streets, numerous barbecue houses, mountains of colorful spices, fruits and local rickshaws. In the narrow bazaar streets there is always a lively trade in amulets, talismans, potions and spices. To some, this seems like a stupid oriental exotic, someone is embarrassed by the lack of comfort. The city authorities have repeatedly tried to give the Osh bazaar a “Europeanized” look, but merchants, together with the townspeople, stubbornly stand their ground. So it turns out now that compact shops are interspersed from time to time with scattered ones. malls. Ice cream (very tasty and very inexpensive), drinks, wrist watch- from one merchant to another is just one step. But, once here, you can be sure that in this place you will find almost everything you were looking for. Another very pleasant and characteristic feature of the oriental bazaars is that it is customary to bargain here when buying goods.

It should be noted that the ancient city of Osh is wonderful place to start hiking and mountain climbing, and among foreigners it is known primarily as a transit point on the way to the Pamir alpine camp.

Another feature of the city is its favorable geographical location. From here you can get to one of the oldest Uighur cities - the mysterious Kashgar, climb the Pamir or Tien Shan mountains. From here you can also drive to another part of the Ferghana Valley, which is under the jurisdiction of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Osh region is famous largest caves throughout Kyrgyzstan: Chil-Ustun, Chil-Mayram, Keklik-Too.

The entrance of the Chil-Ustun stalactite cave is located almost on a sheer cliff at a height of 250 meters. The name of the cave is translated into Russian as "Forty columns". This cave is one of the places in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan where pilgrims come. The legend of the cave says that if a person has committed many grave sins, then all of them will sink into the abyss and non-existence. And if the traveler passes along the rocky slope and returns unharmed to the foot of the mountain, then all sins will be forgiven him. A powdered pebble brought from Chil-Ustun is able to cure any disease. The Abshir-sai tract is famous for its interesting karst waterfall-source.

Chon-Alai district of the Osh region is the place where one of the two seven-thousanders of the country is located - Lenin Peak. (7134 meters). Climbing Lenin Peak is a difficult climbing ascent, which can only be done by people who have experience in high-altitude climbing (at least Elbrus). In addition to experience, willpower and endurance, in order to climb Lenin Peak, you need to have a rather expensive climbing equipment, clothes and shoes.

So, even if the city of Osh is not as comfortable as the capital of the country, it does not have numerous government and administrative buildings, its simplicity and traditional character will undoubtedly charm the arriving guests. And when you have an exciting and adventurous journey ahead of you, Osh becomes the last island of civilization.

Suleiman-Too

On three sides, Osh is surrounded by hills and low rocky spurs of the Alai Range. Being practically under the “roof of the world”, you can feel the breath of the mighty and majestic Pamir-Alay mountains everywhere. But the main evidence of their presence is, of course, the five-domed Suleiman Mountain (Suleiman-Too), which rises in the very center of the city. This is one of the spurs of the Alai Range, which is a rock over 100 meters high.

Mount Suleiman-Too in June 2009 became the country's first World Heritage Site.

Suleiman-Too ("mountain of Suleiman") or Takhti-Suleiman ("the throne of Suleiman", that is, the biblical King Solomon), located right in the center of the city. Already in the 10th century, pilgrims from all over Asia were drawn to this seemingly inconspicuous rocky hill, because from time immemorial it is believed that it was here that the prophet Suleiman turned to God, and the prints of his forehead and knees remained on the stones. Above this holy place for every Muslim, Muhammad Zahiriddin Babur (1483 - 1530), Timur's great-grandson and founder of the Mughal dynasty, built a small hujra (cell) with a mihrab, on the site of which a white-stone mosque rises today and the "Babur's house" recreated according to archival sources ". According to legend, it is on this mountain that a woman can ask God to send her a child, and the legendary “trial path” leads to the top, along which, according to legend, no unfaithful wife can ever pass.

Mount Takhti-Suleiman in the early Middle Ages had a cult significance for all believers, especially for fire worshipers. There is even an assumption that the prophet of Zoroastrianism and the creator of the sacred book "Avesta" Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) lived and created his teaching in a cave on Mount Suleiman-Too. One of the earliest temples of the Zoroastrian cult of water-fire existed here (the temple of the river Okhsho, Yahsha-Osh and fire). Perhaps the name of the city comes from these words. Hundreds of petroglyphs are carved on the rocky outcrops of the mountain, stone slabs, on the walls of caves and grottoes. Those who are especially curious can climb the mountain itself, from where an excellent panorama of the city of Osh opens. Here it is visible at a glance, you can stand and admire for a long time magnificent scenery: bottom - boiling city ​​life, in the distance - the Great Mountains breathing calmness and confidence.

Another attraction of the mountain is an architectural monument, the unipolar mosque Takhti-Suleiman - unique in its location, because. it was built on the eastern peak of Suleiman-Too Mountain, at a height of almost 150 meters. In recent decades, this building was associated with the name of Muhammad Zahiriddin Babur, a descendant of Amir Timur, and was called Babur's house.

At the foot of the mountain are the most eminent mosques of the city (Asaf-ibn-Burkhiya mausoleum (11-17 centuries), Ravat-Abdullakhan mosque (17-18 centuries), Mohammed Yusuf Baikhoji-Ogly mosque (1909)).

The mausoleum of Asaf ibn Bukhria is an architectural monument of the 18th - 19th centuries, located at the foot of the eastern slope of Suleiman-Too. According to folk legends, the mausoleum is named after the mythical associate of King Suleiman (Solomon) Asaf ibn Bukhriy, who bequeathed to bury him after death at the foot of this mountain, which, according to legend, was fulfilled. And over his grave an architectural structure was erected, which, for its centuries of history repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by new generations.

All these architectural monuments are part of the Osh United Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.

Osh- one of largest cities of the Ferghana Valley, generally accepted second(southern) capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The city is located in the eastern part Fergana basin, in the south of the country, 300 km from Bishkek a. It spread over an area of ​​about 16 square meters. km, at an altitude of 700-1000 m above sea level between the spurs of the Alai Range, one of which rises in the form of a 100-meter cliff in central area city ​​and is called Sulaiman Tao.

Osh is a major administrative, economic and cultural center region of the same name, 234 thousand people live in it.

The bulk of the population is made up of Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in almost equal shares (more than 40%), Russians, Turks and Tatars (2-2.5%) are much smaller, Koreans, Uighurs, Ukrainians and Germans also live here, however, these nationalities account for less than one percent of the mass of citizens.

The climate of the region is sharply continental with a pronounced change of seasons. Winter in the city is mild with frequent thaws, spring is early, summer is hot and dry. The hottest month is July, with average temperatures of +24C, +26C. The first autumn frosts begin in October. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below -10C.

In the spring, heavy rains are not uncommon, leading to mudflows.

The area of ​​the city is moderately seismic and mudflow dangerous.

It is believed that Osh- one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, the exact date of its formation is not known, but based on the data archaeological research, we can safely assume that its age is about 3000 years.

Until now, there are heated debates about the emergence of the city and its name, many are inclined to assume the involvement of Alexander the Great and even the biblical king Solomon in this event.

There is a legend that one day in one of his campaigns of King Solomon (Sulaiman) led the army, and in front drove a pair of oxen harnessed to a plow. As soon as the oxen caught up with famous rock(and the case, as you understand, happened in the vicinity of the city), the king liked the place for a halt, and he shouted to stop the animals: “ Hosh!» - « Everything is enough!”, this exclamation gave the name to the future city.

The legend is really beautiful, but it does not explain either the fact of the city's origin or the etymology of its name, so scientists adhere to a different version.
The basis of today's Osh was a settlement of the Bronze Age, discovered by archaeologists on the mountain Sulaiman-Tao, in the same place, much later, the first city fire-worshipping temple dedicated to the fire-water pair cult (Ohsho) appeared, this is what scientists explain the etymology of names of Osh. By the way, on the southern slope Sulaiman Tao, from time immemorial considered sacred mountain, there is evidence of religious cults and other periods, which indicates that the rock was the center of an ancient settlement.

From medieval Osh there is almost nothing left, but based on the data of archaeologists, one can imagine that the city was surrounded by a fortress wall with three gates, its center had a citadel surrounded by shahristan, the cathedral mosque was located near the bazaar, next to the river Ak-Bura.

It was a period of rapid development Osh due to its advantageous geographical position. The city was located at the intersection of particularly busy roads Great Silk Road which contributed to the development of trade, science, culture and crafts.

One of the unforgettable pages of the city's history is associated with the name of the offspring Timurid dynasty - Zahireddin Muhammad Babur(1483-1530).
After the death of his father - Sheikh Omar, great-grandson of the famous Tamerlane, Babur inherited possessions Ferghana, so I have been to Osh and knew this city perfectly, as evidenced by the lines from the immortal creation " Babur-name».

From time immemorial Osh was one of the religious centers Central Asia, this is largely due to the location on its territory Mount Sulaiman Tao, which legends and traditions endow with miraculous power that can heal bodily and mental ailments. The mountain is so popular among local Muslims that it is recognized great shrine and equated in value to Mecca.

After the rout Kokand Khanate troops tsarist Russia, Osh went under its protectorate, and in 1878 the Russians came here. On a small hill south of the old city, they began to rebuild new Osh. The city was planned out by military topographers and turned out to be very beautiful. Wide, well-landscaped streets, rectangular quarters divided into sections. Right from that moment Osh received the status of a county seat.

During the years of Soviet Power, the city turned into a major industrial hub, and since 1939, it has been the main city of Osh region.

In recent decades, tourists visiting Kyrgyzstan, will definitely come to Osh, it's connected with incredible amount attractions - monuments of history and antiquity, as well as interesting natural objects located in the city and its environs. Besides Osh is " transshipment base», the movement of tourists in all directions in the country.

The Holy Mountain is located in the center of the city and is the oldest monument of the history and culture of the nation. Until the 16th century, it was called Bara-Kuh, then it was renamed Takhty-Sulaiman (“Throne of Solomon”), then it was called Sulaiman-Too. This mountain, at the dawn of the civilization that was emerging here, had a cult significance, there is a legend that Zarathustra himself lived in one of its caves and the famous …

The Osh region was formed not too long ago - in 1939, and today it is one of the administrative units of Kyrgyzstan. What is remarkable about this territory and this region? Let's get curious.

Settlement history

Once upon a time, even before the 10th century, Indo-European tribes with Iranian roots lived on the very territory where the Osh region is currently located. Almost two thirds of this population was assimilated into the Turkic environment during mass migrations in the 11th-16th centuries. As a result, the vast majority of the settlers were Kyrgyz - nomads, as well as Turkic peoples with Mongoloid influence, engaged in cattle breeding. And the Turkic farmers settled on the lands of the plains, and, in fact, it was from them that the Uzbek ethnos was subsequently formed. Now on the territory of the region, in addition to the Kyrgyz (63.8%), which are the main population, there is a large proportion of Uzbeks (31.1%), and small nationalities, such as Russians (1.3%), Uighurs (0.9 %), Turks (0.9%), Tajiks (0.5%), Tatars (0.6%) and other nationalities.

Mountainous terrain

Osh region has its own administrative center. This is the city of Osh. The northeastern part of the regional territory is located on the Ferghana Range of the Tien Shan spurs, and its southwestern part is located on the Turkestan, Zaalai and Alai Ranges of the Pamir-Altai Mountains.

The territorial zone of the region includes such districts as Kara-Suu, Alai, Kara-Kuldzha, Nookat, Aravan, Uzgen and Chon-Alai. The Kara-Suu region also includes the Barak enclave, which has an area of ​​​​only 4 sq / km.

Climatic conditions

Osh region is a region with a sharply continental climate. Two major rivers- Karadarya and Naryn - flow through the local territory. They meet and merge into a single stream, forming together a single river Syrdarya. The waters of all three streams are used to irrigate fields, and also as a source of electricity at hydroelectric power plants.

The climate is here winter time year is formed as a result of the influence of air masses coming from temperate latitudes, and in summer from tropical masses formed over Central Asia. At an altitude of 600 to 1100 above sea level, a warm semi-desert climate prevails. Summer at the heights is hot and dry. The temperature sometimes reaches 40°C. Winters here, in contrast to the cold plains, are short, with average temperature- 3-4°С.

Kyrgyzstan according to the latest data

In 2017, Kyrgyzstan reached a population of 6 million 140.2 thousand people. According to official data, Osh oblast is the leader in terms of the number of citizens living on its territory. Kyrgyzstan in this region alone has 1 million 287.5 thousand people. In second place is Jalal-Abad region with a population of 1 million 168.7 thousand, followed by Bishkek - 980.4 thousand. Chui region - in fourth place, 905.2 thousand.

The ranks of the sparsely populated regions included Talas - 255.2 thousand and Naryn - 281 thousand inhabitants. And Batken and Issyk-Kul regions surprised with their constancy of indicators. In the first, as before, 503.5 thousand people live, in the second - 476.8 thousand citizens.

By the way, do you know which region enriched Kyrgyzstan with its six millionth inhabitant? The city of Osh - it was in this administrative center on November 25, 2016 that the "jubilee" citizen was born.

Osh region and areas of its districts

The region itself occupies an area of ​​29,200 square kilometers. In addition to Osh, it includes 3 more cities. These are Kara Suu with an area of ​​387 hectares, Uzgen - 9.2 sq/km, and Nookat - 3.26 sq/km. These cities belong to settlements directly under the district. In addition to them, there are two more urban-type settlements, which are called Naiman and Sary-Tash, 79 auls and numerous villages of the Osh region, the number of which reaches 469 units.

Seven districts included in the region occupy the following areas: Alai - 7582 sq / km, Aravan - 1340 sq / km, Kara-Kuldzhinsky - 5712 sq / km and Kara-Suu - 3616 sq / km, Nookat - 3179 sq / km, Uzgen - 3400 sq / km and Chon-Alai - 4860 sq / km.

Investment Opportunities

It so happened historically that, first of all, the Osh region is an agrarian region. As a result, the greatest attention is paid to agriculture and the processing industry. The region hopes for mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia, for its help and support in the development of entrepreneurship, especially small and medium-sized businesses. Commodity producers are counting on assistance in the sale of their own products.

Rich in development opportunities, the areas of this area represent an ideal investment potential. For example, the high-mountainous Alay region has very significant reserves of land, water, energy and mineral resources, the development of which is beneficial both for the development of the entire region and for those who want to do business. Animal husbandry is the most favorable sphere on which the region's economy is mainly based.

in the hollow

Nookat district of Osh region, hell The administrative center of which is the city of Nookat, was founded in 1928. It also includes Naiman and 16 rural districts. Above sea level, the center of this zone is located at an altitude of approximately 1802 m, and therefore a wide part of the territory is located in the Nookat depression. But in the west it lies in the Karavan-Kok-Dzhar depression. South part The area is occupied by the slopes of the Kichik-Alai Range. Well, the mountainous territory of the valley is only 12%. The rivers Abshir-Say, Khoshchan, Kyrgyz-Ata, Shankol and Chile flow through the region.

The industrial production of this region is represented by enterprises and productions of woodworking, coal, light and food industries. More and more, the value of development ecological tourism. The Ak Tala tourist facilities already operating in the Nookat region in the Kozho-Kelen gorge and in Abshir-Ata hospitably receive tourists. Attractive for recreation is the Sakhoba park, which has settled down in the town of Jany Nookat.

Enticing business prospects

In the Aravan region, which is considered small in area, however, the leading industries are the cultivation of cotton fiber and tobacco. These export-oriented products are cotton fiber and tobacco, which account for 70% of the entire industry. Besides, locals skillfully use favorable climatic conditions of their region, because here, earlier than in any other areas, fruits and vegetables ripen.

Today, in front of cotton growers, tobacco growers and field growers and other workers representing population of Osh region, there is an acute problem of processing products. Selling not raw materials, but finished goods will allow you to make a good profit. And this is what the regional authorities are trying to focus on.

For development

Ecologically clean products are famous far beyond the borders of Kyrgyzstan, for example, such agricultural products as Alai and Nookat potatoes, Uzgen rice are well known. To date, more than two hundred major interstate agreements and treaties have been concluded between Russia and Kyrgyzstan. And if earlier the partnership was hindered by internecine turmoil in Kyrgyzstan (the Tulip Revolution), now the local population has realized that only the brotherhood of peoples, mutual respect and cooperation will give really real chances for prosperity.

There is another factor that brings together the Osh region and Russia - this is labor migration. This fact is the product modern world which cannot be ignored. And why, because there is someone to work at new enterprises. The largest in terms of the number of labor resources is considered to be precisely Osh region. Kyrgyzstan today has thoroughly taken up the development of vocational education in the region, realizing the importance of its role.

Osh city

This city has become a major cultural, industrial and religious center of Kyrgyzstan. Osh is called southern capital th country. This city is very ancient, so it is replete with sights that are worth a look. Half of the population here are Uzbeks.

In terms of tourism, the city is extremely interesting. Osh region, districts , cities and towns throughout Kyrgyzstan are proud of the main attraction of Osh - Sulaiman-Too. This beautiful picturesque mountain, the slopes of which are decorated with many historical monuments.The Sulaiman-Too Museum-Reserve is the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are two mosques here, Takhty Sulaiman and Rawat Abdullakhan. Muslims have been making pilgrimages here since ancient times of the Middle Ages. Here you can see the remains of ancient baths, mysterious caves, Babur's house and rocks dotted with ancient hieroglyphs.

Osh is also famous big amount religious buildings, which include the Church of the Archangel Michael, the mosques of Sheyit Debe, Acha Bazaar, Shehid-Deba, Sadik-Baya, Muhammad Yusuf Baizhodzhi-Ogly (1909). In addition, you will find here the mausoleum of the 11th century, museum complex"The Great Silk Road", local history museum and the ruins of the Ak-Bura fortress. There are also modern creations, for example, a 24-meter monument to Manas (the country's national hero), erected in 2012. Cultural modern life is also provided to the townspeople by the regional philharmonic society and 2 theaters.

Conclusion

Osh region is a land rich in minerals. The traditions of the Great Silk Road still help the development of transport links. Road transport in conditions mountainous terrain takes on special significance.The area has significant potential to attract not only regional, but also international tourists and travelers. Here with Climbers, glider pilots, mountain tourists who are attracted to themselves by the peaks of Pobeda and Lenin will find a zest for themselves - these are seven-thousander mountains, which are considered difficult to climb. Is there some more mountain ranges Pamir and Tien Shan. At their bases are built base camps with a well-developed service sector, helicopter flights have been established.

As you can see, the field of activity is huge, and the potential is quite large. The region with three thousand years of history does not stand still today.

It is recommended to visit the unique state with the beautiful name of Kyrgyzstan. Osh is a city of republican subordination, officially recognized as the "Southern Capital". This is the administrative center of the region of the same name, which is located closer to the east of the Ferghana Valley. It is surrounded by rocks and hills of the Altai Range at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level.

Ak-Bura is a mountainous and fast river that divides Osh into two parts. In the center rises above the city of Sulaiman-Too - a huge rock - one of the spurs of the Altai Range. The population in 2015 was more than 240 thousand people. In percentage terms, the majority of Kyrgyz and Uzbeks live in Osh (approximately 40% each), the rest are Russians, Tajiks, Tatars and other nationalities.

A bit of history

A rich history filled with unique facts, which are of interest to scientists from many countries, has such a state as Kyrgyzstan. Osh is an ancient city, historians are already tired of arguing about its age. There are many legends about the date and history of this ancient place. Someone says that it arose under King Solomon, while others found the first mention of it in the annals of the 9th century. Without a doubt, it is not only the oldest but also the whole of Asia.

Development

However, civilization does not stand still, and, starting from the 80s of the nineteenth century, south side of the city began to be upset by the new Osh. It eventually filled the Russians. The new city became more equipped and corresponded to modern standards - smooth green streets, plots, and not constructions scattered in disorder. Modern Osh began to develop, and soon combines, factories, plants appeared there. The production of machinery, building materials began, enterprises of light, food and other industries appeared, and an airport was built. Osh (Kyrgyzstan) is now not only a developed administrative center, but also a cultural one. Due to the many flights, both local and international, a large number of tourists visit the city every year.

What awaits the guests of the city?

Osh, a city with a well-developed tourism sector, is of great interest to tourists. The climate in these parts varies from temperate to subtropical. transport interchange very convenient - by plane you can fly from anywhere the globe, dozens of buses run to the city center, a taxi will cost a little more. There are many hotels in Osh that will be available to people with different incomes. It is very cheap to find accommodation with all amenities.

Shopping centers, shops, markets - everything is in abundance. The main bazaar of the city, located on the banks of the Ak-Bura River, deserves special attention. This is a huge covered area filled with thousands of shops, which was founded in antiquity. And the abundance of goods just rolls over. The most common souvenirs are felt hats, national skirts, robes, leather shoes. Osh is also famous for its traditional dishes in the form of vessels in which koumiss is served to the table.

Kitchen features

Traditional dishes are something to look out for Special attention visiting a state like Kyrgyzstan. Osh is a city where establishments where you can have a tasty and satisfying meal are located at almost every step. The cuisine here is very diverse. The most famous dishes are lagman, kabyrga, asip, goshan. The abundance of special herbs and spices makes the taste of lamb, rice and other national products simply amazing.

Attractions

Osh is a very beautiful city, it is famous for its sights. The museums store the oldest exhibits of past eras, ancient monuments to Kyrgyz queens and rulers, the Shaid Tepa mosque. Also famous are the largest of them - Chil-Ustun, Chil-Mayram, Keklin-Too.

Summing up

A trip around Osh will be to everyone's taste, because it includes everything that can interest a person. This is an opportunity to purchase beautiful trifles, national souvenirs, home decorations in the form of handmade carpets or dishes. Also very popular here. mountain walks along the slopes of the Altai Range. Tourists can visit historical monuments, museums, reserves and parks, admire the beauty of nature, study the Kyrgyz culture and history.

Hospitable and harmless people are always glad to have friends from other countries. We can safely assume that the city of Osh (Kyrgyzstan) is a cultural, ancient and insanely beautiful highlight of the republic.

Local residents claim that their city of Osh is no less than three thousand years old, although scientists are ready to argue with this statement. However, if you look for the roots of the name of the city, known since the 9th century, it can be assumed that it is somehow connected with the Turkic tribal name osh, and the ancestors of this tribe lived here, in the south of present-day Kyrgyzstan, on the banks of fast rivers that descended from the mountains. Pamir-Alai, rushing into the fertile. The city itself stands at an altitude of more than a kilometer above sea level, surrounded on three sides by hills and low rocky spurs of the Alai Range.
The city is located in a foothill oasis, people lived here for a long time, half a thousand years before the arrival of the Kirghiz from the Yenisei. On the southern slope of the sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too (Mount Suleiman), archaeologists have found a settlement of farmers of the Bronze Age.
Who founded the city is still unknown to science. At the official level in the republic and the city, it is announced that Osh is one of the oldest settlements in Kyrgyzstan and its history is about 3 thousand years old. There is no direct evidence for this, but the locals are sure that the truth is in the old legends. And they say that King Solomon himself founded Osh, and it is his mausoleum that is located at the foot of the Sulaiman-Too mountain, built of limestone. Like it or not, in any case, Osh is one of ancient cities Kyrgyzstan (along with neighboring Uzgen), since the earliest mention in historical documents about Osh dates back to the 9th century, and traces of habitation are much older.
In the X century. Osh was the third largest city of Fergana - an ancient historical area(and kingdoms) in the valley of the same name, being the point of intersection caravan routes from India and China to Europe, the Great Silk Road also passed through it. If you look at the map, there is nothing surprising in this: the city simply occupied the only place through which it was possible to enter the Ferghana Valley, where, in the old days, there was bargaining in endless bazaars.
In 1876 Russian empire annexed the Kokand Khanate, which included Osh, and Osh ended up in Russia, in the status of the administrative center of the Osh district of the Fergana region.
After the establishment of Soviet power in Kyrgyzstan in 1939, the city became the center of the Osh region. In Soviet Kyrgyzstan, Osh was a large industrial center, the second after the city of Frunze (now Bishkek). Currently, the importance of the city has declined somewhat due to the outflow of the population.
The city of Osh is a famous site of inter-ethnic clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the 1990s, the conflict was averted due to the entry of Soviet troops into the city and the introduction of curfew. Clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks were repeated in 2010 and led to numerous casualties and the flow of refugees. Nearly a thousand houses were destroyed.
Mount Sulaiman-Too, or the Throne of Solomon, is one of the places of pilgrimage for Muslims in Central Asia, located within the city of Osh.
Today's Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan (after the capital - Bishkek), officially called the Southern Capital.
The locals ask themselves to be called nothing more than oshan.
The ethnic composition of the city is quite peculiar: Uzbeks (they are slightly larger) and Kyrgyz are approximately equally divided, the rest are Russians, Turks, Tatars, Uighurs, Tajiks, Azerbaijanis. Despite the active departure of Russians to their historical homeland after the collapse of the USSR, the Russian language is still popular in the city, which has remained the language of international communication. In addition, Russian is also needed in connection with the mass labor migration of city residents to the Russian Federation.
In our time, the city of Osh has not lost its transport value. From here begins the Pamir Highway - highway, connecting the cities of Osh with the Tajik Khorog and the capital of Tajikistan -. From here there is a direct path to Afghanistan, the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, from here you can get to one of the oldest Uyghur cities - Kashgar, climb the Pamir or Tien Shan mountains.
There is a lively trade in the city, mainly in the Central Market. And in the suburbs, 22 km from the city, there is the largest market in the Fergana Valley, Turatali Bazari.
The main attraction of the city is the sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too, flaunting right in the middle of the city. It is the only object of Kyrgyzstan in the UNESCO list since 2009. Even in the early Middle Ages, the mountain had a cult significance for all believers, especially for fire worshipers. There is a version that the prophet of Zoroastrianism and the creator of the sacred book "Avesta" Zarathustra lived and created his teaching in a cave on Mount Sulaiman-Too. It is known that it was here that one of the earliest temples of the Zoroastrian cult of water and fire was located - the temple of the Okhsho River. Perhaps the name of the city comes from these words. On the rocky outcrops of the mountain, on the walls of caves and grottoes, petroglyphs are carved.
Before the Soviet rule, there was a particularly revered old "Babur's house" on the eastern tip of Sulaiman-Too Mountain. In fact, this is the Takhti-Suleiman Mosque. Previously, this building was associated with the name of Muhammad Zahiriddin Babur, a descendant of Timur (Tamerlane), and was called Babur's house. In Soviet times, it was destroyed, but in our time it has been restored.
Another ancient monument architecture - the mausoleum of Asaf ibn Bukhria. According to legend, it was named after the mythical associate of King Solomon named Asaf ibn Bukhria, who bequeathed to bury him after his death at the foot of this mountain. An architectural structure was erected over his grave, which, over its long history, was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt by new generations.
In addition to Muslim monuments, the city's only monument of Russian Orthodox architecture of the early 20th century is located in the central square of the city. - Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk Church. Surprisingly, this church survived all the hardships and in 1991 was returned to the Orthodox religious community.

general information

Languages: Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian.

Ethnic composition: Uzbeks - 48%, Kyrgyz - 43%, Russians - 3%, Turks - 2%, Tatars - 1%, other - 3% (2014).
Religions: Islam, Orthodoxy.

Currency unit: Kyrgyz som.

River: Ak-Buura.

Airport : international Airport Osh.

Numbers

Population: 243,300 (2015).
Population density: 4935 people/km2.
Height above sea level: 870-1100 m.

Climate and weather

January average temperature: -2°C.

July average temperature: +25°С.
Average annual rainfall: 400-500 mm.

Relative humidity: 60%.

Economy

transit roads.

Service sector: tourism, transport, trade, financial.

Attractions

Curious facts