Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum Complex

1. Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum Complex

History: The complex was first established on March 28, 1977, as the Republican Architectural Museum of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum. It welcomed its first visitors on September 30, 1978. Later, on August 28, 1989, by Resolution No. 256 of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, it was reorganized as the «Aziret Sultan» State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.

On December 19, 2023, by Presidential Decree No. 415 of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the «Aziret Sultan» State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve became the first museum-reserve in the country to be granted National status.

Mission

The museum-reserve oversees 45 historical and cultural monuments, including:
• 1 monument of international significance
• 24 monuments of national significance
• 1 monument of local significance
• 19 monuments listed for preliminary protection

The Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, the principal treasure of Turkistan and a monument of international importance, is a unique masterpiece of medieval architecture. In 2003, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As a site of global significance, the monument also holds a special place as a national pantheon. Alongside the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, the museum-reserve includes outstanding archaeological, historical-architectural, and fine-arts monuments such as:

• The Great Khalvet (underground mosque, 12th century)
• Kumshyk Ata Khalvet (12th century)
• Tauke Khan Mausoleum (14th–16th centuries)
• Rabiga Sultan Begim Mausoleum - daughter of Ulugh Beg and wife of Abulkhair Khan (15th century)
• Eastern Bathhouse (16th–17th centuries)
• Yesim Khan Mausoleum (17th century)
• and other significant sites

The preservation, protection, research, promotion, and development of these monuments as a tourism destination - as well as archaeological excavations, restoration, and conservation works - are carried out by the Aziret Sultan National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, under the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Collection

More than 300 historical figures are believed to be buried in and around the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, including Zholbarys Khan, Yesim Khan, Zhangir Khan, Tauke Khan, Ablai Khan, Kaz dausty Kazybek bi, Zhanibek Batyr, Bogenbai Batyr, and others.
As a result of scholarly research conducted by museum specialists, 239 of these individuals have been reliably identified.

The museum-reserve collection includes 26,289 valuable historical artifacts, classified into the following scientific categories:

• Archaeological artifacts - 5,787 items
• Ethnographic artifacts - 2,861 items
• Written monuments - 1,049 items
• Numismatic artifacts - 14,301 items
• Documents and photographic materials - 2,291 items

Visitor Rules and Regulations

1. Follow all instructions given by museum staff.
2. Store handbags, backpacks, travel bags, and cases in designated lockers.
3. Large carry-on items are not permitted inside the museum area.
4. Keep your ticket until the end of your visit and present it upon request.
5. Report any situations that may pose a risk to visitors or museum safety.
6. Inform staff if unattended items are found.
7. Entry is permitted only in modest attire.
8. Children and school groups must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Ticket Refund Policy

Tickets may be refunded up to 15 hours before the scheduled visit time from the date of purchase.

Free admission is provided for:

• Persons with Group I or II disabilities
• Children under 18 with disabilities and their accompanying persons

Fees

• Foreign citizens of CIS countries - 1,500 KZT

• Foreign citizens of other countries - 2,000 KZT

Excursions:

• Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum
Kazakh & Russian - 3,000 KZT
English - 5,000 KZT
Schoolchildren (Kazakh, Russian, English) - 1,000 KZT

• Khalvet Underground Mosque
Kazakh & Russian - 3,000 KZT
English - 5,000 KZT
Schoolchildren - 1,000 KZT

• Eastern Bathhouse
Kazakh & Russian - 3,000 KZT
English - 5,000 KZT
Schoolchildren - 1,000 KZT