Located on Caspian Sea, west Kazakhstan, Mangistau desert is probably known for the gas fields which brought prosperity to the area but the suggestive gorges carved by natural elements and the rock formations that look like alien bodies in the middle of the stony desert, are definitely more fascinating even if less renowned. A lot of ancient necropolis and mysterious underground mosques was discovered in this area, part in the past of the northern branch of "Silk Road". Sacred sites, largely related to Sufism, was founded in the desert and today they still remain pilgrimage places . The archaeologists have been starting just recently to explore the area so the origin of the underground mosques is still doubtful even if it prevails the hypothesis that they was built in such places chosen by the ascetics to retreat into the desert; while the numerous necropolises seems to be the ancient nomadic tribes burial places. The Beket-Ata Mosque is probably the most frequented one so that food and shelter is offered here to pilgrims for free but also Shopan-Ata with the large necropolis within easy reach, Shakpak-Ata, the only one in cruciform plant and the far away Sultan Epe are holy sites worshiped by hundreds of Pilgrims, never disheartened by the long and uncomfortable trip in the middle of the desert.
