Spiritual spaces and cultural symbols of the southern capital -
The history, faith and architecture of the metropolis -
The Central Mosque is one of the largest and most expressive religious complexes in Almaty and Kazakhstan, a jewel of urban architecture and a spiritual landmark that is visible from afar thanks to its shining golden dome. It stands at the intersection of old city routes, and everyone who passes by feels it’s quiet, deep energy.
Today, the mosque is not only a place of prayer, but also a cultural center, a meeting space, charity initiatives, lectures and educational programs. People come here for silence, for clarity, and for a sense of inner balance that seems to be born under high arches.
History: from the Tatar Mosque to the spiritual symbol of the city
A small Tatar Mosque once stood on this site, which operated since 1859 and served as a spiritual home for the local community. In the early 1990s, it became clear that Almaty needed a new, large mosque, appropriate to the scale and pace of the growing metropolis.
In 1993, the foundation of the new building was laid. The architects were Sultan Baymagambetov, Kazbek Zharylgapov and Zhanabai Sharapiev. It was their project that determined the future appearance of the mosque, combining oriental traditions and modern architectural aesthetics.
The construction lasted six years, and in 1999 the mosque was inaugurated. Almost immediately, it became an important part of the spiritual life of the city. In 2000, its dome was decorated with calligraphic verses made by Turkish craftsmen, the interior was renovated, modern acoustics and air conditioning were installed, and the surrounding area was supplemented with a lawn and decorative plantings.
Initially, the main dome was blue, like many Central Asian mausoleums, but later, during the 2010-2011 restoration, it was covered with gold plates. With this renovation, the mosque has acquired its modern recognizable silhouette.
In 2001, the building was included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Local Significance in recognition of its architectural and spiritual significance.
Later, special courses for people with hearing impairments were opened at the mosque – a symbol that spirituality is accessible to everyone in this place.
Architecture: white marble and golden light
The central mosque of Almaty is a harmonious combination of architectural rigor and decorative richness. The building is elongated along the east–west axis, its shape is rectangular, topped with a dome system and four corner guldasts repeating the motif of the main dome.
The main dome rises 36 meters with a diameter of 20 meters and stands on a two-tiered drum decorated with colored mosaics and epigraphy from the surahs of the Quran. It ends with a golden crescent moon that reflects light at any time of the day.
The 47-meter-high minaret is connected to the mosque by a two-story passage. Its slender shape is especially beautiful in the evening when the soft lighting is turned on.
The facades are lined with white marble. The main entrance is decorated as a peshtak, a tall portal with a pointed arch decorated with Arabic script and traditional Kazakh patterns. The heavy oak doors are covered with carvings, where the national ornament becomes part of the spiritual language.
A special place is occupied by the unique maybar pulpit for Friday sermons. It is made of expensive cedar inlaid with silver and bone according to the tradition of ancient Seljuk craftsmen. To create it, the craftsmen studied dozens of samples from the XI–XIII centuries.
The inner hall accommodates thousands of people – up to 7,000 visitors during major holidays. The women's gallery is located on the mezzanine. Tall arched windows fill the room with soft, diffused light, and a huge crystal chandelier in the center, weighing about two tons, creates a sense of grandeur.
Cultural and spiritual role
The central mosque has long been an integral part of the city's culture. Religious holidays, educational programs, classes for children, community meetings, and charity events are held here.
It is also an important point of tourist routes: people come here to see the national architectural style, study the history of religion in Kazakhstan and experience the atmosphere of oriental spirituality in the center of a modern metropolis.
The mosque is an open, welcoming space. Even those who do not profess Islam often come here to experience the silence that lives under the arches.
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How to get there and visit -
The central mosque is located in the historical part of Almaty at 16 Pushkin Street, corner of Manshuk Mametova Street, Medeu district, Republic of Kazakhstan
GPS coordinates: 43°16'05"N 76°57'10"E
There are two ways to get to the mosque. The most direct route is to the nearest bus stop, Sayakhat Bus Station, which is served by buses. № 4, 7, 11, 17, 29, 42, 50, 54, 59, 69, 71, 79 and others . Another option is to take buses to the Green Bazaar bus stop. № 8, 20, 40, 73, 88, 113, 133, 204, 228, who are moving along Makataev Street. From this stop you will have a short walk up Pushkin Street, which takes only a few minutes.
Working hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00
Contacts: +7 727 397 63 90; +7 701 491 70 07
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The legend of the Shining Dome
It is said that in the last days of construction, workers noticed a strange phenomenon: even when the sun was hiding behind the mountains, the dome still seemed to continue to glow – softly, evenly, golden. At first, it was thought that this was a feature of daylight, but the glow was repeated over and over again.
This was seen as a blessing, a sign that the mosque would become a place of peace and inner light.
Since then, locals have believed that if you approach a mosque at sunset, stop for a moment and ask for peace of mind, your thoughts become clearer and your heart lighter.
The Central Mosque today
Today, the Central Mosque of Almaty is not just a religious building. It is an architectural monument, a cultural center, a place of unity, a symbol of peace and one of the most beautiful corners of the city.
The city seems to slow down here.
Here the light plays on the golden domes.
Here a person meets himself.
Interesting sights nearby:
• State Puppet Theater;
• Monument to Rayymbek Batyr;
• Zhibek Zholy Pedestrian Street;
• Park of 28 Panfilov Guards;
• Artishoke Theater;
• Tulebaev Street;
• Green Bazaar;
• Sayakhat Bus station.
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