Astana Square ( kz, Астана Алаңы, ''Astana Alaŋy'') or Old 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 Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Central Asia and partly in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the north and west, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Uzbeki ...

. It is the second largest square in Kazakhstan, after Republic Square. It hosts many public events, concerts, and ceremonies. The square is in front of the

Kazakh-British Technical University Kazakh-British Technical University, or KBTU is a research and educational institution located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was founded in 2001. About KBTU KBTU’s research is focused in the main sectors of the Kazakhstani economy – oil and ga ...

, the monument of

Aliya Moldagulova Aliya Nurmuhametqyzy Moldagulova (Russian: Алия Нурмухамбетовна Молдагулова, Kazakh: Әлия Нұрмұхамедқызы Молдағұлова/Äliia Nūrmūhamedqyzy Moldağūlova; 25 October 1925 – 14 January 19 ...

and Manshuk Mametova, and is on the left side of the Panfilov Street Promenade The square used to be named after

Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. ( 1870 – 21 January 1924), better known as Vladimir Lenin,. was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 19 ...

and a statue of him stood in the center of the square until 1991.

History

In 1921, the area was named Red Square. After the demolition of the Imperial-era buildings took place by the Soviet authorities, new government buildings were erected on the square. In 1937, the square was paved with stones for the first time. In 1955, the administrative building of Kazpotrebsoyuz was built on the corner of Panfilov Street. A monument to Soviet statesman

was erected on

October Revolution Day October Revolution Day (officially Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution, russian: День Великой Октябрьской социалистической революции) was a public holiday in the Soviet Union and other ...

on 7 November 1957. That same year, a construction of a new government building of Kazakh SSR was completed which is now

KBTU Building The KBTU Building is a building in Almaty that is located in the Astana Square. Constructed in 1957, it is one of the most historic and iconic buildings in the city. History The building was originally intended to serve the Supreme Soviet of ...

. After

Brezhnev Square Republic Square ( kz, Республика Алаңы, ''Respublika Alañy'', russian: Площадь Республики), also known as Independence Square or New Square is the main square in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is used for public events. T ...

was opened in the city in 1980, the area was nicknamed "old square". In 1987 the Alley of Busts memorial complex was established on the square to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the

October Revolution The October Revolution,. officially known as the Great October Socialist Revolution. in the Soviet Union, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin that was a key moment ...

. The Lenin monument was moved to another location in 1997. As a result, the square was renamed once again to honor the newly established capital of Kazakhstan,

Astana Astana, previously known as Akmolinsk, Tselinograd, Akmola, and most recently Nur-Sultan, is the capital city of Kazakhstan. The city lies on the banks of the Ishim (river), Ishim River in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmo ...

. In September 2017, the reconstruction of the square was completed, which resulted in the reduction ox the lanes and the creation of

bicycle path Cycling infrastructure is all infrastructure cyclists are allowed to use. Bikeways include bike paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, rail trails and, where permitted, sidewalks. Roads used by motorists are also cycling infrastructure, except whe ...

s. The reconstruction of the square was completed in September 2017. The number of lanes of the carriageway was reduced, and pedestrians with traffic flows were separated by bollards. In the freed up space, bicycle paths have been laid, granite paving stones have been laid, and landscaping has been carried out with sod and lavender beds. The staircase esplanade has been renewed, where an open amphitheater is equipped, in front of it there are two dry fountains illuminated at night.

References

{{reflist Almaty Squares in Almaty Tourism in Almaty