The Abai Square () is a

city square A town square (or square, plaza, public square, city square, urban square, or ''piazza'') is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town but not necessarily a true geometric square, used for community gatherings. ...

Almaty Almaty (; kk, Алматы; ), formerly known as Alma-Ata ( kk, Алма-Ата), is the List of most populous cities in Kazakhstan, largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of about 2 million. It was the capital of Kazakhstan from 1929 to ...

, Kazakhstan. It is named after the Kazakh poet and enlightener

Abai Qunanbaiuly Ibrahim (Abai) Qunanbaiuly ( kk, Абай Құнанбайұлы, ; russian: Абай Кунанбаев; ) was a Kazakh poet, composer and Hanafi Maturidi theologian philosopher. He was also a cultural reformer toward European and Russian cultu ...

whose monument is located in the middle. The square features a public garden and a number of fountains clad in granite. The square is located in front of the Palace of the Republic and around it are the

Hotel Kazakhstan ,russian: Гостиница Казахстан , native_name_lang = , logo = , logo_size = , logo_alt = , logo_caption = , image = Hotell Kasakstan i Almaty.jpg , image_size ...

, Arman cinema, and a cable station linking to the

Kók Tóbe Park The Kók Tóbe Park is a recreational area in Almaty, Kazakhstan that has a amusement park attractions and restaurants. It is located on top of Kok Tobe and connected to downtown Almaty by a cable car line. The City Terminal is located near Hote ...

. The Abai Square is known to frequently host as a space for public gatherings, ceremonies, and concerts.

History

This square was originally formed at the end of the 19th century. In 1960, at the corner of Abai and Lenin Avenues, a monument to

was erected, around which buildings were built in subsequent years with the Arman cinema and cable car station to

Kok Tobe Kok Tobe ( kk, Көктөбе ''Kök Töbe'' - "Blue Hill"; russian: Кок-Тюбе, ''Kok-Tyube'') is a mountain in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Kók Tóbe Park, a popular recreation area, is on top of the mountain. The mountain's height ...

. In 1970, the Lenin Palace (now Palace of the Republic) was constructed which was then followed by

Hotel Kazakhstan ,russian: Гостиница Казахстан , native_name_lang = , logo = , logo_size = , logo_alt = , logo_caption = , image = Hotell Kasakstan i Almaty.jpg , image_size ...

and on the side of it a large pond-pool with a fountain.

References

Almaty Squares in Almaty Tourism in Almaty {{Kazakhstan-geo-stub