During its existence, Alma-Ata managed to visit a military fortification, was called Verny and even had the status of the capital of Kazakhstan. Although formally the main city of the country is now Astana, Alma-Ata retained the right to be called the cultural and economic center of the state.
Due to its location in the foothills of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, the city has the opportunity to acquire the largest high-mountain sports complex in the world - Medeo. It appeared back in the days of the USSR, and was later modernized. On the streets of Alma-Ata, you can easily find a number of testimonies from different eras. Fountains play a special role in the city structure. They are not only decorative objects, but also part of a complex irrigation system. During particularly dry periods, 125 fountains prevent green spaces from perishing.
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What to see and where to go in Almaty?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Medeo
The world's largest alpine sports complex. Built in 1972 and underwent a major renovation in 2010. The local ice rink is called the "factory of records". Natural features have a positive effect on the results of speed skaters, therefore, over 200 world records have been set in Medeo for all the time. In 2011, a cable car was laid from here to the Chimbulak resort.
Mount Kok-Tyube
In the past, it was called Verigina Mountain. A picturesque view of the city opens up from a height of 1130 meters. You can get to the top by car or cable car. For some time, starting in 2004, the mountain was closed to the public. There is a threat of landslide and soil loss to residential areas. Extensive work was carried out to prevent the disaster, after the restriction was lifted. A monument to "The Beatles" is erected on Kok-Tube.
TV tower "Koktobe"
Built on the slope of the mountain of the same name. The construction work dragged on for almost 10 years and was completed by 1984, when the tower was fully operational. According to its seismic resistance indicators, it is one of the most reliable in the world. Height - 371.5 meters. Observation platforms are organized at elevations of 146 and 252 meters. There are 3 underground floors, which, among other things, can serve as a bomb shelter.
Independence Monument of Kazakhstan
On behalf of Nazarbayev, the project was carried out by an author group led by Sh. Valikhanov. The monument was opened in 1996 on the Republic Square. The stele itself is 28 meters high. At its top is a six-meter "Golden Man", under which a winged leopard. All this symbolizes the Kazakh statehood and its firmness. There are 4 more figures around the base of the stele: children on stallions, as well as the embodiment of the Earth and Heaven.
Ascension Cathedral
Consecrated in 1907, and construction took less than 4 years. The building turned out to be spacious and bright. Workshops in Moscow and Kiev worked on the details of the interior design. The iconostasis was made by N. Khludov. Probably, all this taken together saved the cathedral from destruction under Soviet rule: the premises were transferred to a museum. Returned to the Russian Orthodox Church after renovation in 1995. It is an example of an earthquake resistant structure.
Central Mosque of Almaty
One of the largest mosques in Kazakhstan. Laid down in 1993, built in 1999. A 36-meter dome with a diameter of 20 meters is erected on the snow-white building. It is decorated with verses from the Koran, applied by Turkish masters. During the renovation work, a modern sound reinforcement system was added, which is used on holidays. Up to 7 thousand people can pray in the mosque at the same time.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Founded in 1909, when Alma-Ata was still called Verny. The temple was erected on a high foundation and awarded with seven small chapters. In Soviet times, the building housed the Museum of Atheism. After the war, parishioners returned to the cathedral without crosses and icons. This temple became the only one functioning in the city. A complete renovation was carried out in the 90s. In 2012, a monument to St. Nicholas was erected nearby.
Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
It is one of the oldest in the country and in the region as a whole. Founded in the 30s of the XIX century. Initially, funds began to collect in Orenburg and went a long way before ending up in Almaty. The wanderings of the collection in different rooms ended in 1985, when the museum built its own building. Seven exhibition halls house exhibitions on the history of Kazakhstan and cultural values.
Opera and Ballet Theater Abay
It was originally a music studio, but a year after its foundation in 1934 it received its current status. In 1941 the troupe moved to a new building. It was rebuilt many times in the future, but the classicism style was preserved. The building is an architectural monument and even got on the banknote of 2 thousand tenge.
Russian Drama Theater. Lermontov
It was created on the basis of the Russian Drama Theater in 1933. The name Lermontov was given to him in 1964. The event was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the birth of the writer. The theater building has been undergoing major repairs for almost three years. The artists returned to their usual stage in 2008. The performances are designed for both adults and children. The performances are traditionally staged in Russian.
Museum of Musical Instruments. Ykylasa
Musical instruments of different nations are collected under one roof. The museum has been operating since 1980, and its collection is constantly growing. At the moment, the funds have about a thousand copies of musical instruments. The bias is made in the Kazakh culture, but the Russian Uighurs and Dungans are also not deprived of attention. Among other things, dombras that belonged to previously famous artists and poets are kept here.
Museum of Arts. A. Kasteeva
The foundation was laid at the exhibition dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the formation of the Kazakh SSR. In 1970, it opened as a museum of applied arts, and after 6 years it acquired its current status. The building where the collection is located is a monument of culture and history. Since 1983, the museum has been named after Abylkhan Kasteev, an artist who stood at the origins of the national fine arts.
Kazakh State Circus
The troupe, formed in 1970, consisted mostly of novice performers who went through the Moscow Variety and Circus School, as well as through local studios. After the collapse of the USSR, many changes took place in the team, it was created practically from scratch. The circus has its own building since 1972. Inside, there is everything you need for artists, including lounges and yards for walking animals.
Alma-Ata metro
The only one on the territory of Kazakhstan and the second in Central Asia. Opened in 2011. The length of the network is over 11 km, and the number of stations has now been increased to nine. The Alma-Ata metro is an unprofitable mode of transport for the state. It was built in difficult geological conditions. There are still some risks, so the operating rules are strictly followed.
Green bazaar
Trading rows in the Medeu district have existed since the middle of the 19th century. By the 40s of the last century, awnings were formed over retail outlets. And in the 70s, the wooden structures were demolished and a large single building was built. The total number of places for trade began to be equal to a thousand in the summer. The next stage of expansion fell on 2017, when a new complex with an area of 20 thousand square meters was opened nearby.
Fountains of Almaty
They are not just a decoration of the city: in combination with a ditch network, they irrigate Almaty and do not allow street plants to die during especially hot and dry periods. The first fountain was opened in 1948. Now there are 125 of them, some of them are not single, but are presented as fountain groups.All fountains start on May 25 and work until October 25. The water supply schedule is the same for everyone and has not changed for decades.
Monument to The Beatles
The opening took place in 2007 on Kok-Tobe mountain. Before taking on the project, sculptor Eduard Ghazaryan applied for permission from Paul McCartney. The singer did not come to the ceremony, but sent a friend. The sculptural composition is not like the monuments that were erected in honor of the Liverpool four earlier. Bronze John sits on a bench with a guitar, and his colleagues are depicted standing.
Park named after the first president
The arboretum was laid out in 2001 on an area of 73 hectares. All the elements typical for green urban areas meet here: alleys, flower beds, places for recreation, boulevards. One of the oaks was planted by President Nazarbayev himself. The multi-stage fountain, decorated with numerous details, including the signs of the zodiac, is the main attraction of the park. The area was chosen not only by tourists, but also by the townspeople.
Park of Culture and Leisure named after Gorky
One of the most popular holiday destinations in the city. Founded in 1856 in the Malaya Almatinka floodplain. The territory was planted with seeds of plants typical for Central Russia, since the soil characteristics allowed them to germinate. Since 1934, recreation centers began to be built on the coast, and attractions appeared. At the present time, there is a need for reconstruction, although the dilapidation practically does not affect the attendance.
Park named after 28 Panfilov guardsmen
Broken on the site of a cemetery in the 70s of the last century. The current name was given in honor of the feat of the defenders of Moscow. Panfilov and his associates were honored with a sculptural composition. On an area of 18 hectares, you can not only walk, but also find curious architectural monuments and iconic city places, such as the Officers' House. In the central part of the park is the Holy Ascension Cathedral.
Almaty Botanical Garden
Spread over an area of more than 103 hectares. It has existed since 1932. Its status has changed many times. Now, on the basis of the garden, there are several research laboratories studying different types of plants planted here. In the 2000s, there was a threat to liquidate the botanical garden. It is located in a prestigious area, so there is a demand for land from developers. There are several restoration projects, but the process has not started yet.
Almaty zoo
Since 1937, one of the oldest zoological parks in the country has been located on an area of 32 hectares. Most of the territory is set aside for ponds with waterfowl. The inhabitants of the zoo are divided into sectors for the convenience of tourists. The total number of species is about 500. Of these, 77 are listed in the Red Book. Excursions to the "Sea Aquarium" are popular. There are also particularly remarkable animals in the zoo, for example, a pair of white lions.
Big Almaty Lake
It is of tectonic origin and is located at an altitude of 2511 meters above sea level. The coastline is about 3 km. The size of the alpine lake varies depending on the season. The water level drops reach 20 meters. The water surface changes its color in the palette from greenish to turquoise. Although Bolshoye Almatinskoye is part of the national park, now it belongs to the city.
Tamgaly-Tas
The tract is located 120 km from Almaty. Its feature is numerous rock petroglyphs. There are Buddhist and runic scripts and drawings from different periods. The territory off the coast of the Ili River is under state protection, but part of it was transferred to a long-term lease to a private company in 2016. Also Tamgaly-Tas is an open-air Buddhist temple.
Charyn canyon
Located 200 km east of the city. It is part of the national park of the same name. Numerous tourist groups from Almaty go here. The canyon is 150 km long and up to 300 meters high. Researchers believe it is over 12 million years old. Among the natural features, one can distinguish a relict ash grove and a large number of birds nesting here - about 100 species.
