Osh city

The city of Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, holds the official status of the «Southern Capital» of the republic and is among the most ancient cities in Central Asia. Osh is as old as Rome, though its exact date of origin remains unknown. Its recorded history spans over a millennium, while archaeological findings trace its roots back some 3,000 years. The first mention of Osh appears in 9th-century Arabic sources.

There are several legends about the origin of the city – including claims to having been founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. Even if such a grand personage did not establish Osh , its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes that became known as the Silk Road almost guaranteed that it would become a major settlement.

Osh is mentioned in the greatest epic of the Kyrgyz People — Manas — where the wise man Oshpur was a tutor of Manas. In the period between the 10th and the 12th centuries it was the third city of the Ferghana Valley, and in 1762 it joined the Khanate of Kokand and became one of the six trading centres with the Khanate.

Situated in the southern part of the country, Osh stands at an elevation of 1,110 meters above sea level, surrounded on three sides by the foothills of the Alai Range. In the heart of the city rises the Sulayman-Too Mountain, towering over 100 meters. Osh serves as both an economic and cultural center, preserving the timeless charm and mystique of the ancient East. As of recent statistics, the population of Osh is about 270,000 people. This multicultural city is home to over a hundred ethnic groups, predominantly Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Russians, Turks, Tatars, Uighurs, Tajiks, and Azerbaijanis.

Osh differs significantly from Bishkek. It offers an Asian flavor, the bustling energy of its people, affordable prices, and the vast expanse of the Osh Bazaar. Located just 5 kilometers from the Uzbekistan border, visitors can take city buses such as route 138 to the Dostyk/Dustlik (Friendship) border crossing.

The etymology of Osh’s name remains a topic of debate among scholars. According to legend, the name is linked to King Solomon (Sulayman), who, while passing through with his army, decided to make a stop. «Khosh!» he commanded, meaning «halt.» From then on, the small settlement on the mountain slope became known as Osh. The elevation in the city center, a part of the Alai Range, bears the name of King Solomon—Sulayman-Too. It is said that he would often climb to one of its peaks to pray and be closer to God, leaving imprints of his forehead and knees on the stones. Today, thousands of pilgrims from across the republic and neighboring countries follow in his footsteps. On this sacred site, the great Mughal emperor, Muhammad Zahir-ud-din Babur (1483–1530), a descendant of Timur and founder of the Mughal dynasty, built a small hujra (hermitage) with a mihrab. Today, a white-stone mosque and the reconstructed «Babur House,» based on archival sources, stand in its place. The location is especially popular among women seeking to conceive, who come here to pray for fertility. According to folklore, this mountain is where a woman can ask God to bless her with a child. The legendary «path of trials» leads to the summit, which, as legend suggests, no unfaithful wife can traverse.

The Taht-i-Suleiman Mountain has held spiritual significance since the early Middle Ages, especially for fire worshippers. Some even believe that Zoroaster, the prophet of Zoroastrianism and author of the sacred «Avesta,» lived and developed his teachings in a cave on Sulayman-Too Mountain. This site hosted one of the earliest temples of the water-fire Zoroastrian cult, the temple of the Ohs River and fire. It is possible that the city’s name derives from these words. Hundreds of petroglyphs are carved into the mountain’s rocky outcrops, stone slabs, and cave walls, capturing the deep historical significance of the site.

Adventurous visitors can ascend Sulayman-Too for a breathtaking panoramic view of Osh, where the city stretches out like an open palm. You can stand for hours, marveling at the picturesque scene: the bustling city life below and the serene, majestic mountains in the distance.

At the base of the mountain are Osh’s most prominent mosques: the Asaf ibn Burhiya Mausoleum (11th-17th centuries), the Rawat-Abdullah Khan Mosque (17th-18th centuries), and the Muhammad Yusuf Bayhodji-Ogly Mosque (1909). The Asaf ibn Burhiya Mausoleum, a 17th-19th-century architectural monument, lies at the foot of Sulayman-Too’s eastern slope. According to local legend, this mausoleum is named after Asaf ibn Burhiya, a mythical companion of King Solomon, who wished to be buried at the mountain’s base. His request was fulfilled, and a structure was erected over his grave, rebuilt multiple times by successive generations. These architectural monuments form part of the Osh United Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.

In 2009, Sulayman-Too became Kyrgyzstan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, little remains of ancient Osh. Archaeologists have found evidence that Osh was once surrounded by fortress walls with three gates, and a citadel rose within, encircled by a shahristan (inner city). The central mosque stood near the bazaar, close to the Ak-Bura River. Osh was a significant trading hub on the Silk Road, connecting the Mediterranean and the Middle East with the Pamirs, Tibet, China, and India. For centuries, the city was renowned for its bazaars and caravanserais.

The colorful «Jayma» market in Osh has been a vibrant trading center for thousands of years. Despite the city’s growth and development, the bazaar remains in its original location, chosen over 2,000 years ago. Situated on the left bank of the Ak-Bura River, this quintessentially Eastern market is a classic example of a covered bazaar—tim. Artisans’ stalls, delicacies, and affordable seasonal fruits, including dried fruits, are of particular interest to tourists. The market operates all week, but Sundays are especially lively.

The Great Silk Road Museum in Osh showcases unique exhibits that trace the material history of the region’s peoples from the Stone Age to modern times, featuring numerous archaeological, historical, and ethnographic finds. One intriguing exhibit is a map dating back to around 1953, highlighting various Kyrgyz clans and tribes—an aspect still significant in Kyrgyz society today.

In the city center stands a monument to Kurmanjan Datka, the «Southern Queen,» known for resisting Russian conquest. Her portrait adorns the 50-som banknote. Nearby is a statue of Lenin, adjacent to a memorial dedicated to World War II, bearing the inscription in Kyrgyz and Russian: «No one is forgotten—Nothing is forgotten.»

The Osh Bazaar stretches about a kilometer along the river and is often described in travel guides as the most vibrant market in Central Asia. Near the bazaar stands Kyrgyzstan’s largest mosque, Shaid Tepa. The original wooden structure was built between 1908 and 1910 but later repurposed as a stable and forge by Soviet authorities. It was reopened in 1943 as a gesture of religious tolerance. In recent years, the mosque underwent renovations funded by Saudi Arabia and now accommodates up to 5,000 worshippers.

Osh serves as a transportation hub for the surrounding regions. Approximately 200 km to the south lies Tajikistan, and Osh marks the beginning of the famous Pamir Highway to Khorog. From here, mountaineers set off to conquer Lenin Peak (7,134 m), the tallest accessible mountain in the world. About 250 km to the southeast lies the Irkeshtam border crossing into China.

As a gateway for trekking and mountain climbing, Osh is renowned among international travelers as the starting point for journeys to Lenin Peak, one of Kyrgyzstan’s two seven-thousanders (7,134 m) located in the Chong-Alai district. Lenin Peak is considered a high-altitude ascent, requiring experience, health, willpower, and endurance. The Osh region is also famous for Kyrgyzstan’s largest caves: Chil-Ustun, Chil-Mayram, and Keklik-Too. The entrance to the stalactite cave Chil-Ustun lies on a steep cliff at an elevation of 250 meters. The cave, meaning «Forty Columns,» is a revered site for pilgrims. According to legend, a traveler who completes the climb and returns unscathed will be absolved of all sins. Powdered stones from Chil-Ustun are believed to cure various ailments. The Abshir-Say Gorge is also famous for its fascinating karst waterfall spring.