Mysteries of the Burabay National Park -
Archeology and excavations in the Burabay region -
Taskamal - a wall or the remains of a fortress or just a freak of nature - this place is shrouded in legends - some say that these stones were laid by the Albast giants, others swear that the border of the ancient nomadic state passed here and a wall of huge stones was built along it. Passing through the pine Burabay forest, passing Lake Borovoe and the Okzhetes rock, you suddenly come across this cyclopean wall, as if growing straight out of the ground. The stones, fitted together without a single drop of mortar, are held together only by the power of ancient craftsmanship - try to move at least one, and you will hear the spirits of the ancestors moaning somewhere in the depths of the wall. It is especially creepy here in the fog, when the gray boulders begin to resemble frozen warriors. Local fishermen tell how at night they saw shadows with torches near the wall - either they were enthusiastic archaeologists, or the ghosts of ancient builders. And if you put your ear to the cold stone on a full moon, you can hear the dull clatter of cavalry - maybe this is the echo of the last battle that raged near these walls and our giant ancestors defended these places from enemies? No one knows the exact information about this place. Someone says that nature did it, others say that our distant ancestors, but it does not matter, just come here and feel everything yourself.
How to get there and visit -
The stone wall-fortress Taskamal is located between the village of Borov and the city of Shchuchinks in the Burabay National Park, Burabay district, Akmola region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS: 53°02'58"N 70°11'48"E
Information -
In the silence of pine forests, among the hills and rocky massifs of the Burabay National Park, one of the most mysterious and little-known attractions is hidden – Taskamal. This unusual natural formation resembles a stone fortress wall, as if created not by nature, but by the hand of an ancient master. Translated from Kazakh, “Tas” means stone, “Kamal” means fortress. And indeed, here the imagination draws an ancient citadel, erected supposedly for defensive purposes, with “towers”, “loopholes” and smooth “bricks” made of stone. The stonework looks so impressive and mysterious that locals and travelers often shroud it in legends. The most desperate ones look for treasures here – there are rumors that somewhere in the base a golden idol of Tengri is walled up. But so far only arrowheads and fragments of ceramics have been found, which immediately disappear into the storerooms of museums. But the photos against the backdrop of Tuscamal are magical - especially if you catch the moment when the first rays of the sun break through the pines and light up the golden reflections on the mossy stones. It is worth coming here not so much for the historical interest, but for that strange feeling, as if you touched something ancient and inexplicable. These stones remember what our textbooks are silent about. The main thing is not to make too much noise, otherwise the ancient spirits do not like it when their peace is disturbed.
Official version -
Some say that Tuscamal is the remains of an ancient sanctuary, someone - that there was once an ancient city here, which disappeared into the depths of time. In fact, this is the result of unique natural processes of weathering, erosion, temperature changes, which over the centuries formed a stone wall, giving us a spectacle equal in beauty to the ruins of ancient cities. This place is not only visually impressive, but also gives an atmosphere of solitude and peace. From here you can see forests, lakes and endless spaces filled with the scent of pine trees and the sound of the wind. Having been here, it’s as if you are immersed in an epic – you breathe deeper, look further, feel the antiquity under your feet.
Taskamal is not just a natural landmark. It is part of the spirit of Burabay, a reminder of the power of time and how the land itself can tell its stories.
Nearby attractions:
• Lake Borovoye (Auliekol)
• Lake Bolshoe Chebachye (Big)
• Lake Maloe Chebachye (Small)
• Lake Shchuchye
• Lake Svetloe
• Lake Katarkol
• Lake Zhukey
• Lake Zhainak
• Lake Maibalyk
• Rock Okzhetpes
• Rock Zhumbaktas
• Mount Bolektau
• Mount Kokshetau (Kokshetau Upland)
• Cave Kenesary
• Square glade of Ablai Khan
• City of Shchuchinsk
• Village Borovoye (Burabay)
• Museum Botay Burabay (Botay culture)
Photogallery:
