Green oasis and living legend of the space harbor -
Cosmonauts Alley – is a famous memorial park zone located at Pad No. 17 in the city of Baikonur, right behind the "Cosmonaut" hotel, where cosmonauts and astronauts live before launch. This alley represents not just a beautiful park area, but a sacred place where space traditions were born.
The main dominant and heart of this unique memorial is the legendary Tree No. 1 – a mighty elaeagnus (karagach), planted by Yuri Gagarin during one of his visits to the city. This action initiated a long-standing tradition of tree planting by cosmonauts before being launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Visiting the alley is inextricably linked to the space launch schedule into our planet's orbit.
Today, this unique green oasis in the Kyzylorda region, in the midst of the endless Kazakh steppe, performs the crucial role of a guardian of memory regarding the great achievements of domestic and world cosmonautics. Strolling along the alley stretching from the hotel to the picturesque bank of the Syr Darya River, one can trace the entire evolution of manned flights: from the first steps of near-space exploration to modern international expeditions to the International Space Station.
---------------------------------------------
How to get there and visit -
Cosmonauts Alley is located on the territory of Pad No. 17 of Baikonur city, Kyzylorda region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS geographical coordinates: 45°38'03"N 63°19'45"E
Visiting the alley is possible exclusively within official excursion tours around the city and the Baikonur Cosmodrome organized by accredited tour operators in compliance with all access control requirements of the secure facility.
---------------------------------------------
History
The tradition of creating the Cosmonauts Alley dates back to the era of the birth of manned cosmonautics. The beginning of this amazing continuity was laid by Yuri Gagarin, who planted the first tree on Baikonur soil (Tree No. 1, a mighty karagach). It is worth noting that Gagarin planted his tree during one of his visits to the city of Baikonur, as he did not plant a tree right before his historical flight in 1961. Over time, a steady tradition was formed here: each main and backup crew staying at the city's "Cosmonaut" hotel before launch plants their own named tree (traditionally karagach or silver poplars, which take root perfectly in the harsh climate).
Space was explored by representatives of different countries, and today the alley keeps the memory of hundreds of Soviet, Russian, and foreign cosmonauts and astronauts. Kazakh cosmonauts also planted their trees here: Toktar Aubakirov (in the autumn of 1991), Talgat Musabayev (after his first flight in 1994), and Aidyn Aimbetov (in the autumn of 2015). In addition, the historical green asset of the complex includes trees planted by the first general designers of space technology and high-ranking guests.
Information
Cosmonauts Alley in the city of Baikonur stretches from the "Cosmonaut" hotel towards the Syr Darya River and over time has expanded into a spacious memorial complex, resembling in shape a bird with spread wings soaring into flight (the central alley and two side paths along the river). The saplings are carefully looked after by specialists, and the cosmonauts themselves, during subsequent visits to Baikonur, always visit their trees, water them, and mentally return to the moments of their first launch.
At the end of the alley, a gazebo and an observation deck with a stele are located – a scaled-down copy of the launch complex with a rocket and a flame deflector chamber, where group photographing of crews traditionally takes place on media days. From here, a stunning view of the Syr Darya and the endless steppe opens up.
Detailed description of the venue
• Yuri Gagarin's Tree No. 1: The historical mighty karagach from which the entire tradition began and near which all arriving crews obligatorily take commemorative photos.
• Named alleys of saplings: Trees (karagach and silver poplars) planted by cosmonauts and astronauts to the right and left of the wide pedestrian paths, equipped with commemorative plaques.
• Observation deck by the Syr Darya: A recreation zone at the end of the alley with a gazebo and a miniature stele-monument in the form of a launch pad with a rocket, where crews conduct traditional photographing.
• Proximity to the "Cosmonaut" hotel: Location in the city right behind the hotel where cosmonauts and astronauts live before launch, making the alley an integral part of their preparation and walks.
Architecture
The architectural and landscape solution of the alley is harmoniously integrated into the harsh semi-desert conditions. Wide pedestrian paths lined with artificial stone diverge from the central axis in the form of wings, forming a single space that combines living nature and monumental elements. The green oasis contrasts with the expanses across the river, creating an atmosphere of peace, solemnity, and a deep continuity of generations.
Legend
Sacred beliefs and signs of space flight participants are connected with the Cosmonauts Alley. It is believed that a planted tree is a living amulet and a earthly reflection of the destiny of the cosmonaut himself. Cosmonauts believe that caring for their tree brings good luck, and the alley itself stores the warmth of the hands of people who challenged Earth's gravity, binding them with strong roots to their home planet.
Conclusion
Cosmonauts Alley in the city of Baikonur is a unique place where the great technological achievements of humanity intertwine with living nature and the human soul. A walk along this alley allows one to feel all the romance of space roads and realize the scale of the feat of people who paved humanity's way to the stars.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Yuri Gagarin Monument in Baikonur;
• Gagarin's Start Pad No. 1 and Pad No. 31;
• Buran Spacecraft;
• Houses of Gagarin and Korolev;
• Energia Command Post;
• Pad No. 110;
• Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum;
• Saturn Radio Complex;
• Yubileyniy Airfield;
• Attractions at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Photogallery:
