Vernacular Spatial Logic and Islamic Sacred Semantics in Kazakh Architecture

Medieval Kazakh sacred architecture was part of a complex, interconnected system known as 'geosacral corridors,' integrating devotional practices, trade routes, and natural landscapes. These corridors functioned as nodes of spiritual authority, cultural memory, pilgrimage, and commercial exchange, revealing that sacred sites were not isolated but strategically positioned to enhance social and economic mobility. The study, focusing on sites like the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, employed methods such as sacred geography, landscape archaeology, and comparative architectural analysis to demonstrate how architecture expressed a synthesis of Sufi traditions, local saint veneration, and broader Islamic frameworks. Future heritage research is recommended to incorporate pilgrimage routes, landscape relationships, and regional mobility networks for comprehensive documentation and conservation.

Zhussup, M. (2026). Vernacular Spatial Logic and Islamic Sacred Semantics in Kazakh Architecture. An-Najah University Journal for Research - A (Natural Sciences), 9999(9999). https://doi.org/10.35552/anujr.a.a2893