A working mosque
Entry is free. Visitors are not let in during prayers, and Fridays are especially busy, so it is better to come on another day. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and women need a headscarf.
Bishkek Central Mosque
An Ottoman-style mosque with four minarets and a spacious courtyard.
- 2018opening
- Freefree entry
- 20–35 minoutside and in the courtyard
- Jibek-Jolu, 264Bishkek
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com
Stops in walking order
The list on the left follows the chapters as you scroll. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
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inside1 / 5
Main dome
Inside the main dome, blue and gold ornamental bands alternate around a round medallion.
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May 28, 2025inside2 / 5
Chandelier
An ornate ring-shaped chandelier hangs in front of arched stained-glass windows.
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January 8, 2025outside3 / 5
Minarets and domes
Four white minarets with carved balconies stand around the main dome. In winter, snow lies on the roofs.
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June 27, 2017outside4 / 5
View from the street
The mosque can be seen from afar: its white minarets rise above the surrounding blocks and make it easy to find your way.
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December 4, 2023outside5 / 5
Courtyard in the evening
A wide paved courtyard lies in front of the mosque. In the evening the minarets and domes are lit up.
History by date
- 2012Construction begins
Work began; construction took about six years.
- 2018Opening
The mosque opened on 2 September.
Four seasons
How the place looks at different times of year.
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Spring
March–MayThe building stays the same: white minarets and grey-blue domes.
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Summer
June–AugustEverything around is green; the white minarets can be seen above the city blocks from afar.
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Autumn
September–NovemberThe building stays the same: white minarets and grey-blue domes.
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Winter
December–FebruaryIn winter, snow lies by the fence and there are white patches on the roofs.
Where it is
- Address
- Bishkek, Jibek-Jolu Avenue, 264
- From the base
- ≈1.6 km as the crow flies · Bishkek
- Coordinates
- 42.8836° N, 74.62° E
Opening times and etiquette
Hours and prices
- Friday
- On Fridays there are especially many worshippers
- Prayer
- Visitors are not let in during prayer
Check on site
- Visiting hours outside prayer times At the destination
- Photography rules inside At the destination
Etiquette
- Clothing. Shoulders and knees covered; women need a headscarf.
- Prayer time. Visitors are not let in during prayers. Fridays are especially busy, so it is better to come on another day.
Contact and help
112 single emergency number
- 101 fire and rescue
- 102 police
- 103 ambulance
You can call 112 with a local SIM or without one.
What to bring
- A headscarf for women
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees
Central Mosque in photos
Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.
- June 27, 2017
- December 4, 2023
- January 8, 2025
- May 28, 2025
- May 28, 2025
A gift from the Turkish people
The mosque was built by Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs and its foundation. Work began in 2012 and took about six years; the mosque opened on 2 September 2018.
The building is in the Ottoman style: a tall main dome, four minarets and a spacious courtyard. It resembles Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara.
Visiting the mosque
Details to look for in a photo
The classic view is the four white minarets against the dome; step back into the street to fit them all in. In the evening the mosque is lit up and the courtyard empties. If worshippers will be in the shot, ask their permission first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to enter?
No, entry is free.
What should I wear?
Clothing that covers shoulders and knees; women should wear a headscarf.
How many people does the mosque hold?
Up to 30,000 including the courtyard; about 9,000 in the indoor prayer hall.
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com
Guides and ready-made itineraries
Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.
Routes and programmes
Nearby and where to go next
Base · BishkekBishkekA city base for museums, squares and a walk through the market.
Cultural site · ≈0.4 km as the crow fliesKuznechnaya FortressA hill among Bishkek’s private houses on the site of ancient Jul and a Kokand fortress.
Cultural site · ≈0.6 km as the crow fliesVictory SquareA memorial with three arches and an Eternal Flame in an open square.
Cultural site · ≈0.9 km as the crow fliesKyrgyz Opera and Ballet TheatreKyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre in a mid-twentieth-century building in central Bishkek.