Sherkala

Sherkala (Template:Lang-kk) is a mountain in Mangystau Province, western Kazakhstan, close to the town of Shetpe (Шетпе, Şetpe, شەتپە). It has been described as looking like a piala, yurt<ref name="KTLOW">Template:Cite book</ref> or Sphinx with steep south and east sides and a more eroded northern side.<ref name="VK173">http://visitkazakhstan.kz/en/guide/places/view/173/</ref>

The mountain is sited between the central and western Karatau Mountains.

Remains of a medieval caravanserei<ref name="LP">Template:Cite book</ref> and fort belonging to Dzhuchi, Genghis Khan's elder son are on top and at the foot of the mountain.<ref name="VK513">http://visitkazakhstan.kz/en/guide/places/view/513/</ref><ref name="VK173"/> A tunnel can be used to access the summit.<ref name="VK173"/>

The ruins of the medieval settlement of Kyzylkala<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and of Mankashlak (Mankyshlak), a Turkmen town<ref name="KTLOW"/> on the Silk Road, are also nearby<ref name="VK513"/> as is Torysh (The Valley of Balls).

The mountain was, according to legend, besieged by the Sheikh of Khoresm Astsyz after he had conquered Mankashlak. After four months the attackers dug a tunnel sideways through the mountain into the well shaft of the town above, cutting off their rope and forcing their surrender.<ref name="KTLOW"/>

The name Sherkala is from Persian شیرقلعه and means 'Lion's Mountain'.<ref>http://mangystau-view.com/en/places/sherkala</ref>