Bayterek observation tower
The Baitarek (also Bajterek) lookout tower towers over the roofs of Astana. It is 105 meters high, the most famous landmark of the capital of Kazakhstan and is located in a beautifully landscaped park next to the newly built government district.
Symbolic tree of life
The elegant shape of the tower, designed by the well-known British architect Sir Norman Foster, shows a mythical tree, with a golden ball on top. The widely visible sphere with a diameter of 22 meters represents an egg of the mythical creature Simorgh, known in the mythology of the Turkic peoples.
Significance for Kazakhstan
But the Bayterek is also full of symbolism for more recent Kazakh history. There is a well-attended viewing platform inside the sphere, which reminds of the move of the Kazakh capital from Almaty to Astana (then Aqmola) in 1997. Today, many Kazakhs also travel to the tower from distant parts of the country and visit the golden handprint of President Nazarbayev there. Those who put their hand in the print of the president firmly believe that wishes will come true. That is why the Bayterek is also the destination of many wedding couples, where long queues often form in front of the golden imprint.
Destination for travelers
Not only Kazakhs visit the tower, it is also a destination for tourists on trips or study trips. After taking the elevator to the viewing platform, visitors are offered a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city of Astana and the extensive steppe landscape surrounding it. Wonderful panoramic shots can be made, especially at sunset. If it gets dark shortly afterwards, the Bayterek shines in brilliant colors and bathes the surrounding park in a mild light.
Pyramid of Peace and Unity
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, impresses with an abundance of modern and unique cultural highlights such as the Emerald Towers, the Bajterek Tower or the royal tent “Khan Shatyr”.
According to topschoolsintheusa, the Pyramid of Peace and Unity in Astana is one of the most popular sights in Kazakhstan. The palace symbolizes friendship, solidarity and peace and embodies the modern aspiration of the young independent state. The pyramid is a symbol for the different religions in the world and reflects the cosmopolitan character of Kazakhstan. Astana is the ideal destination for study trips.
On September 1, 2006, the palace, which was designed in the shape of a pyramid by the famous British architect Norman Foster, was inaugurated. The futuristic structure has an area of 35,000 square meters and is 77 meters high. The pyramid captivates with a dreamlike stained glass by the English artist Brian Clarke with 130 pigeons, which adorns the top of this unique palace building.
The opera hall in the pyramid of peace and harmony
The Pyramid of Peace and Unity is the cultural center in Astana. The showpiece of this meeting place is the opera hall. It impresses with its unique design and is equipped with the latest technology in the field of audio software. The hall has 1302 seats.
The pyramid of peace and harmony – a symbol of education and a meeting place for different ethnic groups
In addition to the opera hall, the pyramid houses numerous educational institutions and meeting places for peoples of the most diverse groups. The largest area of the building is taken up by the Atrium Hall with an area of 3,069 square meters. The conference hall offers space for around 100 people and is equipped with the latest technology.
Nursultan
Nursultan, formerly Astana, is the capital of Kazakhstan. The name was changed after the first name of President Nazarbayev. It is located on the banks of the Ishim River in northern Kazakhstan in the Akmola region, but is administered separately from the region as a city with special status. With around 1,000,000 inhabitants, it is the second largest city in the country after Almaty. After a unanimous vote in the Kazakh parliament, the city was renamed Nursultan in honor of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev after the constitution of Kazakhstan was also changed. Nursultan became the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997 and has since developed into one of the most modern cities in Central Asia economically. The big city is home to many futuristic buildings,
Nursultan is a modern city with an attractive environment for tourists, in which residents and guests of the Kazakh metropolis feel at home. The city became the capital of new Kazakhstan in 1998 for several reasons. At the end of the 20th century, Almaty of the country faced a multitude of difficulties that hamper the further development of the city: the problem of overpopulation, traffic jams and constantly deteriorating environmental conditions. In addition, the compact planning of the “southern capital” limited the modern development of the city in practice.
Astana, which was then called Akmola, was chosen because of a number of key advantages: large urban areas, favorable geographical location – close to the main economic centers of the country, significant demographic potential, well-developed transport infrastructure and relatively favorable environment. When Akmola was granted the status of the Kazakh capital on May 6, 1998, it was given the name Astana. Today, Astana, which is called Nursultan after its name change in March 2019, is not only a major administrative center but also features popular attractions including the Bayterek Tower, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center.
