The Underground Mosque In Turkistan

It gets hot in Turkistan, so hot during the summer that the only civilized place to pray is underground. When in doubt, dig.

Mosque entrance. Nothing significant above ground, except souvenir stalls disguising the place.

Heading down. Prayer hall area. The mosque is an active archeological dig.

Another section of the mosque, restored and now a museum.

Ancient artifacts. Old book, old robes.

Detail of a diorama that depicts the place as a teaching madrasa. Study up!