The historical heart of the city and the place where statehood was formed -
Space of memory, architecture and urban silence in the very center of Almaty -
Astana Square, known to the people of Almaty as the Old Square, is one of the most significant and symbolic places in the city. Here, among the austere facades, shady alleys and well-kept park, you can feel the special atmosphere of the time when Almaty was not just a large city, but the political and administrative center of the country. This space does not shout about itself, does not attract noise, but it is here that the deep rhythm of the history of the Southern capital is best felt. There is a square on Astana Square next to the square.
Astana Square is a place where the past and the present coexist calmly and respectfully. On weekdays it is quiet and measured here, but on city holidays the space comes alive, filled with voices, music and movement. For a tourist, this is one of those points in Almaty where you can not just see the city, but understand its character. The Kazakh-British Technical University, a former government building built during the Soviet Union, is located on the square.
History
The history of the square begins in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when, after the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan from Kyzyl-Orda to Alma-Ata, it became necessary to create a government center of the republic. The administrative core of the city was formed on the site of the former Cossack Square, around which a new architectural and urban planning logic was gradually being built.
It was here that the most important decisions were made, the management system was formed, official events and celebrations were held. Over time, the square changed its name, but it has not lost its significance. Today it is known as Astana Square, but for many residents of the city it remains the Old Square, the place where modern Almaty began.
Architecture and space
The architectural environment of the square creates a solid and expressive ensemble. The buildings located around the perimeter reflect the aesthetics of Soviet monumentalism, strict proportions and restrained solemnity of the era. The space is perceived especially expressively from the side of the square adjacent to the northern part of the square.
The green area is decorated in a classic French regular style. The clear geometry of the alleys, neatly trimmed shrubs and the symmetry of the plantings emphasize the monumentality of the surrounding buildings and create a sense of order and tranquility. In the center of the square there is a monument to Manshuk Mametova and Alia Moldagulova, the heroines of the Great Patriotic War, whose images give this place a special emotional depth.
During city holidays, the square is transformed. A stage is being set up here, concerts, commemorative ceremonies and cultural events are taking place. At such moments, space once again fulfills its original function of being the center of urban life.
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How to get there and visit -
Astana Square is located in the center of Almaty, in Almaly district, on Tole bi Street, between Abylai Khan Avenue and Panfilov pedestrian street.
GPS coordinates: 43°15'17"N 76°56'35"E
The square is easily accessible by public transport or taxi. There are bus routes nearby № 12, 16, 48, 59, 98, 126, 201, 205, 206, 209, 210, 224 and trolleybuses No. 5 and 6. The nearest metro stations are Almaly and Zhibek Zholy, from which you can walk to the square in 10-12 minutes. The square and the park are open to the public around the clock.
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Atmosphere and meaning
Astana Square is not a tourist attraction in the usual sense, but a place of contemplation and understanding. Here you want to walk slowly, read the architecture, listen to the silence and feel the scale of time. This space is equally suitable for a quiet walk and for exploring the history of the city.
For the guests of Almaty, the square becomes a kind of landmark point, allowing them to feel what the city was like in different eras and how it changed, preserving its inner dignity.
Legend
Astana Square is associated with a quiet urban legend. It is said that in the early morning, when the city has not yet woken up, and the square is shrouded in a light fog, the breath of the past is especially clearly felt here. It is believed that it is during these hours that the square "remembers" all the words, decisions and destinies that have passed through it over the decades.
There is a belief that if you walk along the alleys of the Old Square without haste and fuss, you can feel inner peace and clarity of thought. Locals believe that this place helps to make important decisions and feel connected to a city that knows how to keep memories and share them with those who are willing to listen.
Astana Square is not just a part of the city map, but a space of meaning, memory and silence. Visiting this place allows you to gain a deeper understanding of Almaty, its history and character. For a tourist, this is a rare opportunity to see the city not from a postcard, but as it was and remains in its inner essence.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Park of 28 Panfilov Guards;
• Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame;
• Cathedral;
• Tulebayeva Street;
• Dinmukhamed Kunaev Square;
• Kazakh State Academic Theater and Opera named after Abai Kunanbayev.
• Bust Monument to Zhambyl Zhabaev;
• Nedelka Fountain;
• Zhibek Zholy Pedestrian Street;
• Hotel "Almaty".
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