Glossary
The encyclopedia of the tourist
O
Onion Glade - Lukovaya Polyana (3800 m). The last
vegetation before the stone moraines of the mountainside of the Lenin peak.
It is a green oasis, with two sides surrounded by cliffs. Once there was a
powerful glacier between these cliffs, but over the years it rose much higher.
The most real, wild green onions grow on the Onion Glade. In the midst of
Pamir summer (2-3 weeks in July), the field surface resembles a bright and
colorful floral carpet. The road lies right up to the Onion Glade, where
border checks take place systematically. Previously, the base camps of climbers
were located at the Onion Glade before the Lenin peak, but now, in order
to keep the nature of the field, they have been moved. Hence, one can see
the gorge from here - the exit onto the pass of Travelers towards Lenin glacier.
From the Onion Glade to the Achik-Tash base camp is around 4-6 hours on foot.
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Orgochor. A small
village about 30 km West of Karakol. The Historical Museum of
Jeti-Oguz is here, started in 1990 to record the local history
from a distinctly Kyrgyz viewpoint.
It was the birthplace of Telekmat Sartikiev
(1799-1863) who served as ambassador to China, Russia and the
Kokand Khanate. The first Kyrgyz ambassador to Russia was dispatched
to Ekaterinburg as early as 1787, and others followed in 1814/15
and 1824/25. Trade relationships with their neighbours having been
a source of conflict throught the previous century. Apparently, the
village housed Japanese prisoners of war in World War. Top
Ortok. A village about 60
kilometers à North west of Jalalabat, set in one of the densest
forest regions in Kyrgyzstan - surrounded by mountains and mountain
meadows. There is a wide variety of flora - trees, grasses and other
plants - and fauna. About 6 kilometers outside the village is a cliff
with an extensive, labyrinth, cave system. Top
Orto-Tokoi. The Orto-Tokoi
reservoir on the river Chui alongside the main road between Naryn
and Issyk-Kul has azure waters and makes a pleasant picnic spot, but
the water level varies with the seasons. Top
Osh, is one of the oldest cities in Central
Asia. The exact date of its origin is unknown. Legends connect it’s foundation
with the name of Alexander of Macedon, and even the prophet Solomon (Suleiman).
None of the legend does not explain either the fact of the city or the etymology
of its name, but has his evidence of ancient agricultural activities of the
inhabitants of these places.
The history of the city was written 1000 years ago, and archaeological findings
lead to three thousand years ago. The appearance of the city of Osh is connected
with the settlement of ancient farmers of the Bronze Age, discovered on the
southern slope of Mount Suleiman. The development of the city, which is located
in a fertile valley at the foot of the Pamir and Pamir-Alai, is directly
connected with geographic location. Due to the favorable geographical situation
Osh was the point of intersection of the trade caravan routes of the ancient
and medieval India and China to Europe. It was one of the branches of the
Silk Road there - the major commercial artery of antiquity, connecting the
East and West.
Commercial city of Osh was known for its bazaars and caravanserais. The main
Bazaar, located on the left bank of the Ak-Bura river, was a classic example
of the Eastern Market Hall - Tim. More than two millennia, the main bazaar
in Osh has lived their noisy and colorful life, changing their building and
expanding the boundaries, but remained at the same place chosen in ancient
times. Modern Osh Bazaar is the most popular tourist attraction. The most
popular is Artisans street and Fruit orchards. The city of Osh was one of
the Muslim religious centers of Central Asia. This is mostly due to Sulaiman-Too
mountain located in the city and which is given the power to heal any illnesses
of pilgrims according to the legends and folk traditions.
By the end of the XIX century there were 154 mosques and around a dozen of
madrassas in Osh. A few landmarks have survived. Among them is Asaf ibn Burhiya
(XVII-XVIII centuries.) Rovat mosque Abdullah-Khan (XVI-XVII centuries),
the Mosque of Muhammad Yusuf, Bayhodzhi-Ogly mosque Alymbek-Datka (XIX cent.)
Madrasah Muhamedboy Turk Hal Muratbaev, Hazrat Muhammad madrassas Damulla
Sydyk Akhund Aglam (all XII-XVII centuries.) Orthodox Church of Archangel
Michael (the beginning of the twentieth century) settlement Ak-Buura, History
and local history museums, museum of local crafts, a memorial complex "Eternal
Flame" (1976) with a memorial "Grieving Mother" (1990), Kyrgyz Drama Theatre,
art gallery "Saltanat" monument of Orozobekova Sultan Ibraimov, Kurmanzhan-Datca,
Toktogul Satylganov, Niyazaly and Moldoniyazu, and, of course, always colorful
and noisy bazaar on river Ak-Buura.
The main attraction is the quadriceps mountain Sulaiman-Too (Takht-Sulaiman),
rising almost in the center. On the southern slope they have found the remnants
of the settlement (XII-VII centuries BC), which defined the 3000 year age
of the city.
Most of the mountain is the part of the National Museum "Silk Road" and includes
Asaf ibn Burhiya, the ruins of baths (XI-XII centuries). It is a museum under
the open sky now, Takht Suleiman mosque and the mosque Jami Rawat Abdullahan
(X-XI cc.). Top
