Astana Square, Almaty

Astana Square is one of central Almaty’s main civic spaces and a useful stop for visitors exploring the historic core of the city. Broad, open, and formal in layout, the square is often used for public gatherings, concerts, ceremonies, and city events. Its spacious paved area gives a good sense of Soviet-era urban planning, when large squares were also designed for parades, celebrations, and official occasions.

As you enter the square, look toward the imposing building of the Kazakh-British Technical University. This former government building remains the dominant architectural feature of the area, with its symmetrical façade and monumental proportions. It is one of the best places to appreciate the scale and style of mid-20th-century public architecture in Almaty.

On the square itself, seek out the monuments dedicated to Aliya Moldagulova and Manshuk Mametova, two Kazakh women who volunteered for the Red Army during the Second World War and were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

Around the square, visitors can also enjoy the atmosphere of central Almaty, with nearby streets such as Panfilov Street leading toward other landmarks, cafés, shops, and green public spaces. Although Astana Square was once known for its Lenin monument and Soviet political symbolism, today it functions more as a public meeting place, event venue, and open urban landmark.