Astana Square, Almaty

Astana Square, Almaty

Located in Almaty, Astana Square (also known as Old Square) is the second-largest city square in the country, surpassed only by Republic Square. The square serves as a venue for a variety of public events, including concerts and ceremonies. It is situated in front of the Kazakh-British Technical University and features the monument of Aliya Moldagulova and Manshuk Mametova (two of the most important heroes in World War II) while being positioned to the left of the Panfilov Street Promenade. Before 1991, the square was named after Vladimir Lenin and featured a statue of him at its center.

In 1921, the area was named Red Square and underwent major redevelopment under Soviet authorities. The Imperial-era buildings were demolished and replaced with new government buildings. The square was paved with stones for the first time in 1937, and the administrative building was constructed on the corner of Panfilov Street in 1955. The following year, a monument to Soviet statesman Vladimir Lenin was erected on the square to commemorate October Revolution Day. Additionally, a new government building for the Kazakh Republic was completed, which currently serves as the Kazakh-British Technical University Building.

In 1980, the opening of Brezhnev Square in the city led to the nickname "Old Square" for Astana Square. In 1987, the Alley of Busts memorial complex was established on the square in honor of the 70th anniversary of the October Revolution. The Lenin Monument was moved to a different location in 1997. Renaming of the square reflected the newly established capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. The reconstruction of Astana Square was completed in September 2017, resulting in the reduction of car lanes and the addition of bicycle paths, granite paving stones, and landscaping with sod and lavender beds. The staircase esplanade was also renewed and now features an open amphitheater and two illuminated dry fountains.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Almaty. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Astana Square on Map

Sight Name: Astana Square
Sight Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan (See walking tours in Almaty)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Create Your Own Walk in Almaty

Create Your Own Walk in Almaty

Creating your own self-guided walk in Almaty is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Almaty Introduction Walking Tour

Almaty Introduction Walking Tour

Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former (and the first) President of Kazakhstan, once remarked: "Almaty is the pearl of Kazakhstan, the most beautiful city in Central Asia." Indeed, the country's largest metropolis, Almaty is like a butterfly that has emerged from its cocoon, spreading its wings and soaring towards the sky at the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains.

The name Almaty is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles