Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, this time focusing on Kazakhstan’s oldest city Taraz. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – The once-mighty city of Taraz, the cradle of Islamic culture , craftsmanship and trade, besieged by wars, now holds a unique cultural and political identity.
These days, the administrative center of the Zhambyl Region, located on the Talas River in the south of Kazakhstan, has inadvertently become a perfect destination for history lovers and pilgrims seeking sacred sites. Taraz. Photo credit: ec-sport.
kz Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. 2,000 year-old history Taraz’s original history lies buried beneath over two millennia of urban evolution .
The exact founding date of the city remains unknown, though it is believed to have occurred before the common era. The city was first mentioned in Greek written sources in 400 under the name Tolosa (Talas) as one of the sites of the Silk Road. Due to its strategic location on the Silk Road, Taraz has always been an important city.
It became one of the most important trade centers, an Islamic stronghold, and a crucial role in the development of a thriving artisanry tradition. The city was first mentioned in Greek written sources in 400 under the name Tolosa (Talas) as one of the sites of the Silk Road. Photo credi.