Another notable mosque in Istaravshan is the Havzi-Sangin, or «Stone Pond Mosque,» constructed between 1904 and 1910. It stands near a small mausoleum dedicated to Shah Fazil ibn Abbas, built in 1795. This mausoleum, in turn, was erected on the shores of an even older pond contained within a stone basin. According to local legends, Sultan Parvonachi commanded his servants to excavate the pond, instructing them to transport the stones using camels. Upon completing their task, the Sultan generously rewarded his servants by granting them their freedom along with the camels they had used.
Today, the pond has dried up, like many others that were drained in the 1920s and 1930s. This action eradicated the ancient populations of Daphnia, a type of small planktonic crustacean, along with the dreaded Guinea worm, a parasitic nematode that had plagued Turkestan for centuries. Inside the mosque, visitors can admire another intricately painted ceiling. It’s worth noting that almost all of Istaravshan’s historical landmarks were constructed in the early 20th century. As mentioned earlier, the city of Ura-Tyube (now Istaravshan) was heavily damaged by two devastating earthquakes at the turn of the century.
