Turkistan

Turkestan is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. It was founded in 418. It is known that in the tenth century the city was called Shavgar (Shavagar). It was part of the Samanids state.

In the XII century, Shavgar disappeared from written sources, but Yasi (Yassy) appeared, which was also located on the territory of present-day Turkestan.

In the XII century, the famous philosopher and poet Khoja Ahmed Yasawi lived and was buried in Yasi. In 1398, when Yasi was part of Tamerlane's empire, the ruler erected a mausoleum over the philosopher's grave and built a mosque. It is to this mausoleum that pilgrims are coming in an endless stream today. The religious complex is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Since the XVI century, Yasi has become the main city of the Kazakh Khanate. At the same time, it was renamed Turkestan. The Mint appeared here, where silver money with the image of rulers began to be printed. This is confirmed by archaeological excavations.