The Akmeshit necropolis is a sacred place located 30 kilometers northeast of the village of Akkiiztogai in the Zhylyoi district of the Atyrau region. It was here that the famous religious figure, educator, and sage Beket Myrzagululy lived and provided spiritual knowledge to the people.
In 1771, Beket Ata built an underground mosque here and educated students. The mosque consists of two rooms and is built on a solid chalk foundation. The rooms are connected by three arched openings. To the southeast, there is a mihrab facing Mecca, and the niches and columns carved into the rock highlight the special architectural feature of the mosque. In this mosque, Beket Ata’s parents, Myrzagul and Zhaniya, and one of his brothers are buried.
The legacy of Beket Ata is known in the western region of Kazakhstan through four mosques. One of them is Akmeshit, and the rest are located in the Mangistau region: further from Beyneu, in Bayshatyr in Ustyurt, and in the Oglandy gorge. The Akmeshit mosque is also known as “Akmeshit-Kulshan” because some parts of this place were supplemented by the work of Beket Ata’s student and architect Kulshan.
There are places for overnight stays and a kitchen for visitors to Akmeshit. This sacred place is included in the list of national importance and has become a place of spiritual relaxation for people every year.
