Urban markets and public spaces of Almaty -
Traditions, tastes and lively atmosphere of the East -
The Green Bazaar is not just a shopping area, but the living heart of Almaty. It is a place where the aromas of fresh spices, the clink of coins, conversations in several languages and centuries-old traditions are intertwined. Since 1904, it has remained one of the most authentic and visited places in the city – a symbol of Kazakh hospitality, taste and flavor. For tourists, the Green Bazaar is a must–stop to feel the real soul of Almaty.
The market is located in the central part of the city, in the Medeu district, in the block between Zhibek Zholy and Zenkov streets. For more than a hundred and fifty years, the commercial life of this part of Almaty has been concentrated here, and during this time the Green Bazaar has become not just a shopping destination, but a real cultural symbol.
Under the arches of his building, in the hum of voices and a variety of colors, the line between the past and the present is blurred. Here you can hear the echoes of the caravan routes of the Great Silk Road, feel the spirit of the ancient bazaar courtyard and at the same time feel the pulse of the modern metropolis.
History: from Gostiny Dvor to the modern market
Trade at this place began in the 19th century. In 1868, a shopping area appeared in the square of Kuldzhinskaya, Trade, Pervogildeiskaya and Bulvarnaya streets in the city of Verniy. In 1875, designed by architect Jan Kozell-Poklewski, Gostiny Dvor was built here – two low pavilions along a Shopping Street. The customer was the Semipalatinsk merchant Sadyk Rafikov, one of the most influential entrepreneurs of that time.
Gostiny Dvor quickly became the center of merchant life: merchants from different parts of Turkestan, Central Asia, neighboring countries and even from Japan flocked here. Stone shops sold tea from China, flour, cereals, fruits, firewood, utensils and everything necessary for everyday life. Merchants' houses and hotels were built around the market, life was in full swing here and the image of Vernon as a trading city was being formed.
In 1887, a strong earthquake almost completely destroyed Verny. Gostiny Dvor was seriously damaged, and later, against the background of urban planning changes, new specialized markets appeared – hay, vegetable, horse, cattle. However, this particular point continued to be an important trading platform.
In the second half of the 1920s, with the development of collective farms, agricultural products began to flow here again. In 1927, a Central collective farm market was organized on the site of the former Gostiny Dvor. The official name was almost forgotten over time – a simple and warm name was firmly established among the people: The Green Bazaar, for the abundance of greenery, vegetables and fruits.
In the 1940s, the market consisted of long rows of wooden stalls under canopies. Fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products, live cattle were sold here, and the famous Almaty Aport apples were a special pride. During the war, the Green Bazaar remained one of the few places where it was possible to buy food for money, rather than receive cards, albeit at high prices.
A truly new look of the bazaar was formed in the 1970s, when the old wooden rows were demolished and a covered pavilion in the style of late Soviet constructivism was built in 1975. Chief architect Mark Pavlov designed a multi-level building: a main pavilion with hundreds of retail spaces, a summer part and a large parking lot for 400 cars. The special feature was the pyramid–shaped skylights on the roof, which gave the Green Bazaar a recognizable silhouette. During the construction, the seismicity of the region was taken into account, and at that time it was one of the most modern markets in the country.
In the 21st century, the market continued to be updated. In 2017, a new shopping pavilion with an area of about 20 thousand square meters with a two-tier parking lot appeared nearby. Later, social points of sale with basic products at discounted prices were opened. At the same time, the main thing – the atmosphere of a lively oriental bazaar – was preserved.
Atmosphere and shopping malls
Today, the Green Bazaar remains the very place where "everything is there." The main pavilion has rows with meat, dairy products, honey, nuts, dried fruits and spices. The aroma of coriander, cumin and pepper literally hangs in the air, mixing with the smell of fresh bread and oriental sweets. Here you can find goods from different regions: products of Kazakhstani farmers, Uzbek and Tajik dried fruits, popular Korean snacks, vegetables and herbs from all over the Trans-Ili Alatau.
The shops with nuts and dried fruits seem to be a separate universe: dried apricots, dates, figs, raisins, pistachios, cashews – the sellers willingly give you a taste, tell you where the goods came from, and advise you what is better to take on the road or as a gift. Nearby you can buy honey, homemade cheese, kymyz and shubat, as well as traditional Kazakh products familiar to both locals and those who are just discovering the cuisine of the region.
Outside the food aisles, there are neighborhoods with household goods, textiles, national souvenirs, tableware and small items, without which it is impossible to imagine an oriental market. Here you can pick up gifts made of wood and felt, purchase Kazakh ornamental products or just wander around, watching the lively life of the market.
When fatigue makes itself felt, you can always go to small cafes and tea houses in and around the bazaar. Pilaf, lagman, samsa, manti, baursaki and, of course, hot tea are served here. Such a break often becomes a separate part of the tour, especially for tourists who are getting to know the urban life of Almaty for the first time.
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How to get there and visit -
The Green Bazaar is located in the center of Almaty in its old part at 53 Zhibek Zholy Avenue, 44 Makataeva Street, Medeuski district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°15'50"N 76°57'16"E
You can get to the Green Bazaar by private car, taxi or public transport. Buses are running along Makatayev Street № 8, 20, 40, 73, 112, 113, 204. Trolleybuses No. 9, 11, and 19 run along Zhibek Zholy Avenue.
Working hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 08:00 to 19:00 (Monday is a day off)
Contacts: +7 727 273 29 60
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Legend of the Green Bazaar
There is one beautiful legend among the old stories about the bazaar. It is said that long before the appearance of the covered pavilion, there was a small tavern on this site, where the owner always treated travelers with fresh herbs from his own garden. He was known as a man who would not let anyone go hungry and believed that the table should be generous and the house should be open.
Before his death, he allegedly said: "May there always be a lot of people, food and laughter in this place, so that people come here for strength and kindness."
When the inn disappeared, a market gradually developed here, and greenery really became one of the main symbols of its stalls. That's how the popular name was born – the Green Bazaar.
Since then, there has been a belief that if you buy fresh herbs, fruits or honey at the Green Market, sincerely thank the seller and share the purchase with your loved ones on the same day, the year will pass in prosperity and warmth. Many old-timers still smile and say: "If you want to feel the soul of Almaty, first go to the Green."
Green Bazaar today
Today, the Green Bazaar is more than a market. It is an architectural monument, a cultural phenomenon, a gastronomic Mecca and a place of strength for the townspeople.
Here, the noise of haggling merges into the symphony of the city.
Here the aromas of sweet melon and smoked meat work their magic.
Here, everyone, having touched abundance, feels welcome.
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