The exotic nature of the Mangyshlak Peninsula

Aktau is a city in the south-west of Kazakhstan, the regional center of the Mangystau region (formerly called Mangyshlak). From 1964 to 1991 the city was called Shevchenko, in honor of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, who was in exile in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the 19^th century. The city is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Today Aktau has many skyscrapers, a beautiful wedding palace, a snow-white mosque with blue domes. And although there are no historical sights in the city, the lighthouse on the roof of a residential building may surprise you - the only one of its kind in continental Europe. It is interesting to visit the port, the only one in the whole of Kazakhstan, where oil tankers and bulk carriers from various countries dock. The city has picturesque parks, where it is pleasant to walk and relax. Each tree is carefully looked after, because in the summer heat of 45 degrees, no plant can survive without moisture.

The main attraction that attracts tourists is undoubtedly the sea beaches of Aktau. For accommodation, tourists are offered numerous hotels and holiday homes, some are located directly near the coast. The beach season lasts from May to September, the water temperature in the sea, at this time, is kept at +22 .. + 24 degrees. The city has a fairly large selection of hotels of various levels, including five-star hotels. One of them is Renaissance Aktau, which is part of the world chain of Marriott hotels, as well as 5-Star hotels Grand Hotel Victory and Grand NurPlaza.

An oasis in the middle of the Mangystau desert. Surrounded by three walls, it has a fantastic view. The main inhabitants of the lake are considered to be marsh turtles, and a double of the lake itself stretches 500 meters away in the same desert area. It seems a mystical fact that the freshwater lake Saura is located next to the salty Caspian Sea, but this is a reality.

This is where the Ukrainian poet, writer and artist Taras Shevchenko was exiled for writing outrageous works against the tsarist government. Later, a blacksmith with an unusual memory lived here - the storyteller Muryn Zhyrau. During the Great Patriotic War, Muryn Zhyrau was invited to Almaty, where for several months they recorded folk tales performed by him.

Fort Shevchenko has a 170-year history. The city was founded 170 years ago as the Novopetrovskoe fortification, created from local shell rock and Russian forest, which was brought here through the Caspian Sea from Astrakhan. The Novopetrovskoe fortification served to protect the caravan roads from the raids of Khiva robbers. On the western side of the fortification, along the slope of the mountain, there were two stone walls that rested against a salt lake. In 1939, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, the city was named after the great poet, artist and writer.

There is a canyon about 30 km from Fort Shevchenko, which stretches into the island with a huge crack. The picturesque source of Tamshaly is located in this canyon. You can get to the source either walking along the canyon, or moving along the cliff parallel to its steep cliffs. The water in the spring protrudes directly from under a wide stone platform, which looks like a large overhanging cornice, and flows down in thin streams. But "fresh" water, according to many tourists, is actually a little salty, but quite drinkable.

There are many stories about the formation of the Zhygylgan landslide. Translated from the Kazakh language, zhygylgan means "fallen". This is an outlandish sight - the rocks have the shape of the faces of wild animals, and at the site of a landslide with fragments of slabs, fossilized tracks of an animal were sharpened, and in the depths traces of hooves, rather of horses, were stuck. There is a small lake near the landslide, its density allows you to keep even a person afloat, it feeds on a spring. It is easy to understand from the destroyed remains that people lived near this spring. Despite all the mystery, there is a small beach where guests come with pleasure.

The holy places of Mangystau have centuries-old legends that have continued to this day from year to year. The Ustyurt plateau is considered a place with a fabulous landscape. The Beket-Ata mosque was rebuilt and cut down on it. There are many stories about his healing abilities, and in wisdom he had no equal. Many paths and teachings were passed before Beket-Ata was able to help the weak people in need of him. He built 4 mosques - the "Ak mosque" in Kulsary, in the Baishatyr area, in the village of Beyneu, and the fourth was the underground mosque. After his death he was buried next to that underground mosque. In addition, several more underground structures have been built on the territory of the peninsula. One of them is the Sultan-Epe underground mosque - the patron saint of travelers and fishermen. Water from a nearby well is considered curative, while the place itself favorably cures head diseases. A house for pilgrims and guests was built on the side of the mosque.

The next underground mosque is Shopan-ata. The time of its appearance has not been established, but in the western region of the country it is considered one of the largest mosques. Shopan-ata's daughter buried nearby is considered the patroness of women's health. After the mosque, the guests arrive at the nearby grave of his father-in-law. The burial is bypassed three times, and then they go to the well with healing water. An interesting story is the story of the lord of snakes, in whose honor was built another underground mosque Shakpak Ata. There are many legends and exploits about the battles where the sovereign fought. Enemies also knew about the power of his weapon. He was one of 362 saints sent by his teacher to these lands, and the name was given to him for his ability to burn fire from stones with one stroke. According to legend, in the localities of the mosque, the sick were cured, the structure itself has unusual drawings and images, the passages in it bend and have loop-like stone stairs up.