Osh

Osh is the second largest city in the country. It is located at an altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Ferghana Valley. It has the official status of the “Capital of the South” of Kyrgyzstan.

The history of the city is about 3000 years old. In 2000, the 3000th anniversary of the city was celebrated with the participation of representatives of the UN, UNESCO, OSCE.

Osh is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. One of the branches of the Great Silk Road, which in the Middle Ages connected the trade routes between East and West, passed through the city.

Many legends link the origin of the city with the names of the Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) and Alexander the Great. One legend says that the king once led his army and drove a pair of oxen in front of him with a plough. When the oxen reached the famous mountain, Solomon said, “Hosh!” I mean, “that’s enough.” That’s why some people think the name of the city comes from here.

In the Middle Ages, trade in Osh was known for its caravanserais and bazaars. And the main bazaar was a classic example of the eastern covered market – Tim.

Today Osh is the administrative and cultural centre of the Osh region and a city of national importance. The modern city has preserved its unique charm and the mystery of the East.

The main attraction of the city is the famous Sulayman-Too Mountain, which legends say can cure all the ailments of the pilgrims. In 2009 it was recognized as a world cultural heritage site. At the foot of the mountain there are the most famous mosques of the city: Asaf-ibn-Bukhriya mausoleum (11th-17th centuries), Ravat-Abdullakhan mosque (17th-18th centuries), Muhammed-Yusuf-Baykhoja-Oglu mosque (1909).