Sulaiman-Too National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex

Holy Sulaiman-Too

The city of Osh is considered one of the largest and oldest cities in Central Asia. Sulaiman-Too is rich in historical and archaeological monuments and is located in the center of Osh. The mountain is shaped like a five-headed limestone outcrop, measuring over 1140 m in length and 560 m in width at its base, stretching from west to east. The height of Sulaiman-Too is 1175 m above sea level, 175 m above the city, with a length of 2 km and a width of 250 m, featuring 5 peaks, the highest of which is Rushan-Tag. Buura-Tag or Sulaiman-Too is the peak that gave its name to the entire mountain and its numerous caves. On the mountain's plateau is the single-chamber mosque Takh-i-Sulaiman or "Babur's House," a monument of epigraphy from the 11th century. Notable peaks include Shor-Tag ("white salt cap"), named for its white salt crust, Eer-Tag, a saddle-shaped peak, hence translated as "mountain - saddle," Kattama-Tag ("layered mountain"), and Keklikuchar ("peak where partridges fly"). Until the 16th century, Sulaiman Mountain was known as Bara-Kukh.

Research indicates that there are about 400 petroglyphs (historical inscriptions) on the mountain. Additionally, there are petroglyphs, inscriptions, and drawings from ancient times around the mountain, spanning several centuries. Until the 15th-16th centuries, it was known by various names. According to written sources, Sulaiman-Too was referred to as "Kara-Kukh," "Sulaiman-Tak," "Takhti-Sulaiman," and "Sulaiman-Too." Since the spread of the Islamic religion, this mountain has been associated with the name of the prophet Sulaiman, and legends about the prophet Sulaiman still exist today.

The National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex "Sulaiman-Too" is one of the largest museums in Kyrgyzstan. The museum houses valuable historical and cultural artifacts that are a source of national pride for the Kyrgyz people.

Throughout its developing history, the museum has undergone several name changes.

1949-1978 - Osh Regional Local History Museum.

1978-1982 - Osh Regional Historical and Cultural Museum.

1982-2004 - Osh United Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.

Since April 10, 2004 - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex "Sulaiman-Too".

The museum has collected over 33,000 exhibits in its collection. This includes 6,694 archaeological items, 3,702 ethnographic items, 19,852 documents and photographs, and 1,196 items of applied and decorative art, painting, sculpture, and graphics.

For the celebration of the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh, a new specially designed building was handed over to the museum. The exhibition consists of 2 departments, with a total area of 1100 sq. m.

The museum is considered regional, so its exhibition is entirely dedicated to the nature and history of Southern Kyrgyzstan.

Phone: +996 (3222) 2-29-68, 2-71-23, 7-38-21
Fax: +996 (3222) 2-29-68
E-mail: [email protected]
Osh, Kurmanjan Datka Street, b/n