Shakpak Ata

Useful Information

Location:	Ashchimuryn. 45 km northwest of Tau-Chik. Follow KR-10, turn off on gravel road. 4WD recommended. (44.4334126, 51.1389113)
Open:	All year daily 9-sunset. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Shakpak Ata,
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History

2026	included on the UNESCO WH Tentative List.

Description

Шақпақ Ата (Shakpak Ata) or Podzemnaya Mechet' "Shakpak-Ata" ("Shakpak-Ata" Underground Mosque) was built into an escarpment, at the foot of a vertical cliff. There is a parking lot in the plain below, to reach the mosque its necessary to walk up a scree slope on a well maintained stone staircase. The staircase continues to the plateau with a nice viewpoint. The rock has interesting erosional forms, structure resembling a beehive with many small holes. The walls around the mosque have arabic inscriptions, inside there are pillars sculpted from the rock, niches, and Persian carpets on the floor. It seems the mosque is still in use as a mosque. The cave church has the shape of a cross, obviously inspired by the Christians. In the center is a hole in the ceiling which allows light in. It seems the dry climate allows openings in the ceiling without the danger of rain water damaging the church.

The name Shakpak Ata, which is used in various variations, translates literally "father-flint". Some say it’s a reference to the flint deposits which can be found in the surrounding limestone rock. Others say its actually named after the infamous Shakpak Ata who was a powerful warrior of dubious reputation. Legend says he lived out his last years as a hermit in this cave. Some say Shakpak-Ata’s true name was Shahmardan, a name meaning “king of serpents” or “lord of the underworld”. There is a snake cult in Mangystau which explains this reference. He was named Shakpak-Ata because, during battle, sparks flew from his weapon like flint striking a stone. Then there ar stories that the cave was the home of an ancient healer, who cured people through sacred ritual and dance.

According to some sources several persons were buried inside the mosque Turkmens, Adais from the Caspian shores, and other ancient tribes. This was probably before it became a mosque, as far as we understand it is quite uncommon to bury people in mosques. There is also the story that the cave once hosted a religious school (madrasah), where students studied during the day and rested at night. The legend goes that there was a war going on and the enemies ambushed the school, killing the students during prayer. Legend has it that these students were also buried in the cave. Actually this is quite unlikely, the architecture has no possible graves, it much more likely that the surrounding caves along the cliff face were once tombs.

There are also speculation that this cave existed since prehistoric times. Obviously the overhanging cliff offered shelter to hunter-gatherers, but the cave itself is definitely artificial and its construction definitely not possible with Stone Age tools. There were such shelter in the area, often with the additional benefit of having a sping and thus providing water. Actually the water from the spring was resposible for the formation of the caves. Its current size and form was most likely created by Sufis, an order of muslims which were both religious and militant. They are said to have prayed, meditated, and trained fighting in the cave. The maintained the cave and left numerous artworks, polychrome paintings and symbols from various tribes. There are depictions of horses, riders, bulls, hands, and intricate floral designs. An open palm resembles a Sufi amulet, it was made to protecting this sacred site from malevolent forces. It is generally thought to be the hand of Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.