The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – From soaring modern landmarks to centuries-old sanctuaries carved into rock, Kazakhstan’s mosques reflect the country’s rich spiritual heritage and architectural diversity. While modern mosques attract visitors with their monumental domes and soaring minarets, many of the country’s oldest mosques continue to captivate travelers with their unique construction techniques, legends and historical significance.
Entrance to the Shopan Ata undegroud mosque. Photo credit: nationalgeographic.kz According to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, the country had 2,888 active mosques as of January 2025. Data from the Bureau of National Statistics shows that 20 new mosques were commissioned in 2025, a 54% increase compared to the previous year.
Yet beyond these growing numbers lie centuries of history. Scattered across Kazakhstan are mosques built from clay, carved into rock faces, or designed in architectural styles. Some have served generations of worshippers for more than 150 years.
Oiyl Mosque Oiyl mosque located around 300 kilometers from Aktobe. Photo credit: Oiyl museum Facebook page Located around 300 kilometers from Aktobe in the Oiyl district of western Kazakhstan, the Oiyl Mosque is one of the country’s most unusual architectural monuments. Built in 1869 by local merchants, the single-story mosque has served as the district’s main place of worship for more than a century.
Its distinctive silver-colored triangular minaret and reddish earthen walls set it apart from many other historic mosques in Kazakhstan. What makes the mosque particularly remarkable is its construction technique. Instead of using water, builders mixed mare’s milk and sheep’s wool with red sand brought from the nearby Barkhyn Desert to produce durable clay bricks.
Local residents say this traditional mixture has helped preserve the mosque’s exterior for generations, with the façade largely retaining its original color. Mangystau’s underground mosques The Shopan Ata underground mosque forms part of a larger necropolis carved into rock. It is located around 60 kilometers from Zhanaozen.
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