When visiting Kyrgyzstan, you should definitely visit Tash Rabat - a historical building dating back to the 14th-15th centuries.

Until now, archaeologists and scientists have supposedly put forward several versions of the appearance of an architectural object in this area. According to one version, it is assumed that Nestorian monks once lived here, judging by the artifacts found, and this building served as a quiet monastery for them, where they celebrated all the necessary services and their monastic life was moderate.

According to another story, apparently, when the monks left their lonely monastery, a caravanserai was formed here - a haven for traders and travelers, like a camp among the mountains on the Great Silk Road. This medieval inn is located in the picturesque Kara-Koyun gorge and is a landmark of the Tenir-Too mountain range.

There is a third version, which says that this fortress was built in ancient times by a certain khan and in it he and his courtiers found refuge, creating a small fortress town in miniature. There are underground zindans (prison) in the fortress for those who disobeyed and violated the law.

There is another version that says that on this route, caravans traveling to China and back were very often raided by bandits. As a rule, robbers waited for merchants among the rocks and mountains, looking for caravans. And then the most enterprising and wealthy merchants decided that it was necessary to build a caravanserai in the middle of the way, where people and camels could stop, rest, hide from sudden attacks and even spend the night, fleeing from daring thieves. And this fortress served not only as a resting place, but also as a protective fence against bad weather and natural disasters.

It's hard to imagine all this now, looking at the secluded fortress monastery, but back then it was lively here - travelers and locals from the nearby areas scurried along the trails, caravans passed in both directions, and the trade in exotic goods was brisk. Tash-Rabat attracted diverse people, multilingual speech was heard in the surroundings, and the multi-ethnic population was full of colors.

Tash-Rabat is covered with legends and myths about its origin, which can be heard from the old-timers of the Naryn region. And each version seems to have a certain basis. In any case, this structure, built by medieval architects, has been well preserved to this day and still surprises tourists and travelers with the idea of the creators and the strength of the fortress walls. Tash-Rabat is located about 110 kilometers from the regional center of the region - Naryn. If it starts from Bishkek, the length of the route will be approximately 560 km. The area where Tash Rabat is situated is at an altitude of 3100 meters above sea level. The state border with China, Torugart, is located nearby.

You can get there by car, having previously booked a tour from local travel companies or by hiring a guide from the local population of Naryn region. There are no regular buses or minibuses here. It is necessary to take warm clothes with you, because it is cool here in summer, not to mention the cold period. Describing Tash Rabat is like telling about the beauty of alpine meadows. Because everyone who visited Tash-Rabat seems to immerse themselves in the energy of that unique place, experience peculiar emotions and remain impressed by visiting the ancient monastery for a long time.

It is better to see, touch with your own hands, wander through the halls and corridors of a medieval fortress, climb onto the roof, touch the stone walls and feel the spirit of the Middle Ages, or maybe imagine, closing your eyes, that many centuries ago people lived here, caravans passed, multilingual speech sounded and it was It was noisy and talkative, like an oriental bazaar. But time has passed, years, centuries, and now we have inherited a monument of architecture by ancient masters, preserved to this day. It is better to see Tash Rabat with your own eyes…