Heroes of the Soviet Union -
Memorial parks and squares Almaty city -
The monument to Manshuk Mametova and Alia Moldagulova is one of the most touching and symbolic monuments in Almaty, dedicated to the two heroines of the Great Patriotic War. It is located in one of the picturesque districts of the city in the park in front of Astana Square, surrounded by green trees and manicured alleys, where silence seems to preserve the memory of those who fought for life and peace and gave their lives for it.
Manshuk and Aliya are names known to every inhabitant of the country, and their feat still inspires. This monument is a touching and majestic reminder of the unparalleled courage of two young girls who became symbols of the heroism of the Kazakh people during the Great Patriotic War. Manshuk Mametova and Aliya Moldagulova are the only Kazakhstani women awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Their fates are amazing: Manshuk, a nurse and a machine-gunner who desperately defended the height near Nevel, and Aliya, a sniper who fearlessly fought near Leningrad. They died heroically before they reached the age of 25, but their names are forever inscribed in history.
The monument often becomes a venue for patriotic events, meetings of veterans, school excursions and solemn flower laying. It is especially crowded here on May 9, Victory Day, when families with children come here to tell them about the courage and fortitude of Kazakhstani women, lay flowers and honor the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Behind the main monument there is an obelisk with children on the globe of the Earth releasing pigeons into the sky as a symbol of peace and freedom.
History
The history of the monument's creation is closely linked to important anniversaries – the 40th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the general movement to perpetuate the feat of heroes. The monument was opened in 1985 and immediately became one of the central attractions of the city.
Manshuk Mametova (1922-1943) was born in Uralsk. From a young age, she showed determination and a sense of duty. During the war, she voluntarily went to the front and served in a rifle brigade. In October 1943, in a fierce battle near the town of Nevel, she held her position to the last, repelling enemy attacks. During the battle and the defense of its positions, it destroyed more than 70 enemy personnel. She was mortally wounded, died heroically without leaving her position, fought to the end and gave her life in the name of peace and victory. For her courage, she was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, and was posthumously awarded the Order of Lenin.
Aliya Moldagulova (1925-1944) was born in Aktobe region. After graduating from high school, she entered the Leningrad Sniper School and showed incredible bravery from the first days of the fighting. She served in the 54th Infantry Brigade, participated in dozens of battles, destroying dozens of enemy soldiers, or rather 78 destroyed enemies. She died heroically at the age of 19 near Pskov in January 1944, covering for her comrades. She did not abandon her position, fought to the end and gave her life for the peace and freedom of the nation. Her name has become a symbol of women's courage and fortitude.
The monument was created on the initiative of the public and with the support of the Almaty authorities. The sculptors sought not only to depict the images of the heroines, but also to convey the full magnitude of their feat, to make the monument a reminder of the price of peace and freedom that they won for future generations.
Architecture and composition
The monument is a complex bronze composition mounted on a high granite pedestal, a symbol of strength, eternity and inviolability of their feat. Manshuk and Aliya are depicted at the moment of movement on this pedestal in full height – in combat readiness, looking forward. The sculptor managed to convey their determination, fortitude and inner nobility.
The girls' faces are filled with calm determination – they seem to feel the approach of a fateful battle, but they do not retreat. Aliya has a weapon on her shoulder, a sniper rifle – a symbol of duty and loyalty to the Motherland. A cape is fluttering in the wind behind her, she is wearing a long skirt below her knees and boots, and a cap is crowned with her head. Manshuk, walking next to her, is depicted without weapons in a long military greatcoat, with a military hat on her head and boots on her feet, and a scarf fluttering in the wind around her neck. Clothes fluttering in the wind add dynamism to the composition, and the bronze lines turning into the strict shapes of the pedestal create a sense of power and resilience.
The architectural environment of the monument harmoniously fits into the urban landscape. The area around it is paved with tiles, firs and lime trees are planted along the alleys, and benches are set up nearby where people can sit in silence and think about the eternal. In the evening, soft lighting gives the monument a special expressiveness, and it seems that the bronze figures come to life in the rays of the lanterns.
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How to get there and visit -
The monument to Manshuk Mametova and Alia Moldagulova is located in the center of Almaty on Tole Bi Street between Abylai Khan Avenue and Panfilov Street, in a beautiful park in front of Astana Square (Old Square), Almaly district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°15'13"N 76°56'36"E
The easiest way to get to the monument is to use taxi services or private transport to Astana Square. If you take a bus, the following routes will suit you № 16, 37, 48, 126, 201, 205, 206, 209, 210, 224 – they stop right at the square. If you prefer to go by metro, get off at Almaly or Zhibek Zholy stations. It is a simple 10-minute walk from both stations.
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Legend
A well-known urban legend is associated with the monument of Manshuk and Aliya. It is said that on warm summer evenings, when everything is quiet and the wind barely stirs the leaves, you can hear a light clink of metal – like the echo of distant battles and the voices of heroines reminding people of their oath of allegiance to the Motherland. There is a belief that if you lay flowers at the foot and mentally thank the heroines, they give a piece of their strength and courage, especially to young girls facing difficult choices.
Many people believe that this is where the inspiration to fight for their dreams and defend justice is born. There is another version of the legend: on Victory Day, when the first rays of the sun fall on the bronze faces of the girls, they seem to be illuminated with a soft light – as a sign of gratitude to all living people for the memory they keep. This light, they say, brings good luck and peace to the heart of everyone who comes with a sincere sense of respect.
Touch of Eternal Glory
Visiting the monument to Manshuk Mametova and Alia Moldagulova is an important and poignant experience for every guest of Almaty. This place allows you not only to pay homage to history, but to personally come into contact with stories of incredible courage and self-sacrifice. It blurs the boundaries of time, making you think that true strength and heroism have no age or gender. For a tourist, this is a unique opportunity to better understand the soul of the Kazakh people, their attitude to their history, to the world and to the feat. You will leave here not just with photos, but with a sense of deep respect and awareness that the memory of real heroes is what unites generations and makes us more human. It is a place of strength, sorrow and pride that leaves an indelible mark on the heart.
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