Sulaiman-Too: the sacred mountain in the heart of Osh
A mountain in the middle of one of Central Asia's oldest cities, a cave museum, Babur's House and stones said to have healing powers. The legends — and how to climb up.
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In the center of Osh — Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city — a rocky mountain rises among residential neighborhoods. This is Sulaiman-Too, one of the most revered places in Central Asia. Pilgrims have been coming here for centuries, and in 2009 the mountain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Where the Name Comes From
“Too” means “mountain” in Kyrgyz. As for the name Sulaiman, the stories vary. According to one legend, the biblical King Solomon — Sulaiman in Islamic tradition — once came here. There's even a spot on the mountain where he supposedly prayed.
A Mountain People Worship
Sulaiman-Too has five peaks, and its slopes are dotted with sacred sites: caves, springs and rocks polished to a shine. Each is believed to have its own power.
- There's a stone people lie on to cure back pain.
- There's a smooth “slide” that women hoping for a child slide down.
- People place their hands or head into small hollows in the rock and make a wish.
Even if you don't believe in miracles, it's fascinating to watch: these traditions are living, not museum pieces.
Babur's House
On one of the peaks stands a small mosque known as Babur's House. Legend has it that it was built by Zahir ad-Din Babur — a ruler from the Fergana Valley who went on to found the Mughal Empire in India. The current building is a reconstruction, but the spot is still magnetic: all of Osh spreads out below.
A Museum in a Cave
Inside the mountain, in a large natural cave, is a museum of history and local lore. The setting alone is unusual: the entrance is cut right into the rock, and behind the glass are finds that tell the thousand-year story of Osh and all of southern Kyrgyzstan.
Tip: the climb up the steps takes about half an hour. Come in the morning or closer to sunset — the rocks can get very hot during the day.
How to Combine It
Osh is the gateway to the Pamirs and the Alai Valley. It's the starting point for Lenin Peak and the high pastures of the Pamir-Alai, so many travelers spend a day in the city before heading into the mountains.
That's exactly how our trip is designed “Into the World of the Pamir-Alai”: getting to know Osh and Sulaiman-Too, then mountains, yurts and the lakes of the Alai.
