Architecture of Ulytau mausoleums.

"Witness of many historical events Ykylas baba,
This is the refuge of the descendants of Kiikbai,
Instructions and blessing (bata) to descendants from their ancestors,
"Live a fair life" is bequeathed to all of us!"

Inscription on a memorial, gravestone in front of the entrance to the mausoleum.

Mausoleums on Kara-Kengir River.

Ykylas Mausoleum is located at an altitude of 364 meters above sea level, is located in northern part of ancient cemetery, 710 meters from right bank of Kara-Kengir River, 19 kilometers southeast of village of Satpayev, 27 kilometers north and slightly west of town of Zhezkazgan, in Ulytau district of region of the same name.
The quadrangular Ykylas mausoleum dates back to the XVIIIth – XIXth centuries and is built of wild flagstone. The upper part of the mausoleum is crowned with a dome, which resembles a melon in its shape and material of manufacture. A characteristic feature of the mausoleum is its simple shape and good stability.
The building material was natural stone - sandstone, in the form of a grayish-pink flagstone. The sizes of the stones are different. In front of the entrance to the mausoleum, an entrance corridor of a bottle shape was built, which ends with a simple, quadrangular arch.
The direct entrance to the mausoleum is blocked with stones. On the left side of the mausoleum, a memorial plate is installed, the inscription on which tells that the following are buried in the mausoleum: Ykylas son of Bolat and Saty son of Topai, of the Kiikbay clan.
Geographic coordinates of Ykylas mausoleum: N48°02'44 E67°41'59

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.