russian: Байтерек , former_names = , alternate_names = Bayterek , image = Central Downtown Astana 2.jpg , image_size = 256px , alt = , caption = Baiterek Tower , map_type = , altitude = , status = Complete , building_type =

Monument A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, hist ...

Observation tower An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision to conduct long distance observations. Observation towers are usually at least tall and are made from stone, iron, an ...

, architectural_style = , structural_system = , cost = , ren_cost = , location = Nursultan,
, address = , client = , owner = , current_tenants = , landlord = , coordinates = , start_date = October 25, 1996 , est_completion = , opening = , completion_date = August 30, 2002 , inauguration_date = , renovation_date = 2017 , demolition_date = , destruction_date = , antenna_spire = , roof = , top_floor = , height = , architect = , architecture_firm = , developer = , main_contractor = , structural_engineer = , services_engineer = , civil_engineer = , other_designers = , quantity_surveyor = , awards = , ren_architect = , ren_firm = , ren_str_engineer = , ren_serv_engineer = , ren_civ_engineer = , ren_oth_designers = , ren_qty_surveyor = , ren_awards = , references = Baiterek ( kk, Бәйтерек, translit=Bäiterek; "tall poplar tree") is a monument and observation tower in

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 in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, tho ...

, the capital city of

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 ...

. A tourist attraction popular with foreign visitors and Kazakhs, it is emblematic of the city, which became capital of the country in 1997. The tower is located on

Nurjol Boulevard The Nurjol Boulevard ( kk, бульвар Нұржол, Bülvar Nūrjol), formerly known as Green Water Boulevard ( kk, сулы-нулы бульвар, Suly Nuly Bülvar) is a pedestrian zone in the business and administrative center on the left ...

, and is considered a symbol of post-independence Kazakhstan.

Design

The project was launched on the initiative of the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Nursultan Nazarbayev Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev ( kk, Нұрсұлтан Әбішұлы Назарбаев, Nūrsūltan Äbişūlı Nazarbaev, ; born 6 July 1940) is a Kazakh politician and military officer who served as the first President of Kazakhstan, in off ...

; the architect of the project is Akmurza Rustembekov. The 105 meters tall structure rises from a wide flat base within a raised plaza. It consists of a narrow cylindrical shaft, surrounded by white branch-like girders that flare out near the top, supporting a gold-mirrored 22 meter diameter sphere. The base contains a ticket booth and exhibition space, with two lifts rising within the shaft to the observation deck within the 'egg'. Entrances to the monument are sunk below eye level, reached by stairs from the surrounding plaza. The observation deck is 97 meters above ground level. It consists of two levels, one with 360 degree views of Astana and beyond, with a second, higher level, reached by a flight of stairs. The top level features a gilded hand print of the right hand of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of independent

, mounted in an ornate pedestal. A plaque invites visitors to place a hand in the imprint and make a wish. Alongside the handprint, and also oriented in the direction of the presidential palace, is a wooden sculpture of a globe and 16 radiating segments, commemorating the

Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is held once every three years in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Congress was initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbaev of the Republic of Kazakhstan 19 years ago. 1st Congress of Leaders of ...

, held several times in

Symbolism

The monument was built as a symbol of the transfer of the capital from

Alma-Ata Almaty (; kk, Алматы; ), formerly known as Alma-Ata ( kk, Алма-Ата), is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of about 2 million. It was the capital of Kazakhstan from 1929 to 1936 as an autonomous republic as part of t ...

Akmola 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 in the north-central part of Kazakhstan, within the Akmola Region, thou ...

in 1997. The monument is meant to embody a folktale about a mythical tree of life and a magic birdBayterek Tower
/ref> of happiness: the bird, named Samruk, laid her egg in the crevice between two branches of the tree. The significance of "Baiterek" as a symbol of a new stage in the life of the Kazakh people is emphasized by the artistic composition "Ayaly alakan" ''( kk, Аялы алақан - "caring hands")'' with an imprint of the president's right hand, located at a height of 97 meters, which symbolizes 1997 - the year of the proclamation Astana as the new capital of the state and, accordingly, a new starting point in the history of the country.

Photo gallery

File:Kazakhstani tenge 10000 (2006).jpg, The 10,000 Kazakhstani tenge note showing the image of the Bayterek tower File:View from Bayterek tower.jpg

References

External links

*http://www.astanahotels.ru/eng/astana/bayterek.htm
Bayterek Tower from "Abasayyoh"
Buildings and structures in Astana Towers in Kazakhstan Foster and Partners buildings Buildings and structures completed in 2002 Culture in Astana Tourist attractions in Astana Towers completed in 2002 Observation towers in Astana Landmarks in Kazakhstan Perceptions of religious imagery in natural phenomena 2002 establishments in Kazakhstan {{kazakhstan-geo-stub

Design

Symbolism

Photo gallery

See also

References

External links