city in Kyrgyzstan
Uzgen or Özgön (Kyrgyz: Өзгөн) or Uzgen (Russian: Узген) is a city of 63,000 people (2020) in Kyrgyzstan.
Özgön sits at the far eastern end of the Ferghana Valley, upstream of the point where the Kara-Darya enters the valley. It is 50 km northeast of Osh, and 30 km southeast of Jalal-Abad on the banks of the Kara-Darya, on its right side.
Uzgen is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a history of more than 2000 years. It arose in the 2nd-1st centuries BC as a center of trade on the route from the Fergana Valley to Kashgar.
In the Middle Ages, the city was an important center on the trade route from Central Asia to Kashgar. In the 12th century it was the second capital of the Karakhanid state.
From Osh new bus station you can take a direct Marshrutka, leaving very frequently for 80 som (April 2024).
The main attraction is the 11th century minaret and the ancient mausoleums next to it. Entry to the complex is 50 som (April 2024).
There is a 44-m-high minaret, built at the beginning of the 12th century. Nearby there is a mosque and a madrasah.
The city has the remains of a fortress, mazars and burials of saints and famous people of the 11th-12th centuries, and other archaeological sites. The mosques of the 19th century are well preserved.
Not far from the city of Uzgen there is a recreation area "Kara-Shoro" and a tourist center "Salam-Alik".
Residents and tourists spend their summer holidays on the slopes of the mountains and use healing water from the Kara-Shoro natural spring.