Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain
The Holy Mountain of Suleiman-To, Kyrgyzstan, is located in the Fergana Valley, the backdrop of the city of Osh, at the crossroads of an important route of the Silk Road in Central Asia. For more than 1,500 years, Suleiman has been a beacon for travelers and is revered as a holy mountain. Its five peaks and slopes are home to many ancient places of worship and caves with petroglyphs, as well as two largely reconstructed 16th-century mosques. So far, 101 petroglyph sites have been inscribed on the heritage list, representing humans and animals as well as geometric shapes. The site has 17 places of worship, many of which are still in use and many of which have ceased to be used. These places of worship are scattered around the peaks and connected by footpaths. These places of worship are believed to cure anemia, headaches and backaches, and to grant blessings of longevity. The worship of this mountain is a blend of pre-Islamic and Islamic beliefs. The site is believed to be the most complete example of a holy mountain in Central Asia, and people have worshipped it for thousands of years.