Baiterek Monument
The Baiterek Monument is an iconic symbol of Astana, rising on the Left Bank of the Esil River. The construction of the facility, which took six years from 1996 to 2002, was timed to coincide with the transfer of the capital from Almaty to Astana. As a nod to this historic event, the monument’s top floor stands at a symbolic 97 meters, representing the year 1997 when Astana was proclaimed the new capital of Kazakhstan. The total height of the structure is 102 meters.
A mythic poplar
The inspiration for the construction of Baiterek, which means «poplar» in Kazakh, was drawn from ancient Turkic legends about the Tree of Life. The Kazakhs have long considered the poplar tree to be the tree of life, whose roots hold the earth and branches reach towards the sky. According to the beliefs of ancient nomadic peoples, the sacred bird Samruk lays an egg in the crown of this tree, symbolizing the sun. Baiterek embodies this philosophy, representing heaven, earth, and life as the basis of its design.
The symbol of unity
For Kazakhstanis, Baiterek is comparable in significance to Big Ben for the British or the Eiffel Tower for the French. It is not only a symbol of Astana but of the entire country, representing a new starting point on the way to a better life and new achievements. Small replicas of Baiterek can be found in cities and regions throughout Kazakhstan, symbolizing the unity of the people. The attraction’s image is featured on the national banknote of 10,000 tenge and on a 50 tenge commemorative coin issued in honor of the 10th anniversary of Astana. In 2002, the International Association of the Union of Architects awarded Baiterek with the Grand Prix.
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What’s inside?
Baiterek is divided into three levels. The lower level features cozy cafes, aquariums, and an exhibition gallery with paintings. High-speed elevators on the middle level take visitors to the upper level, which is located inside the glazed sphere. There, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the capital from the bar and panoramic halls. The top floor also features the handprint of Nursultan Nazarbayev, then President who proposed to move the capital to Astana. Next to the handprint, visitors can find a wooden globe signed by representatives of 17 religions from around the world, symbolizing unity and support. The Baiterek monument is not just a beautiful architectural masterpiece but a testament to the Kazakh people’s resilience, unity, and aspirations for a better future.
How to get there?
Address: Kazakhstan, Astana, Left bank of the Ishim River, 14 Nurzhol Boulevard.
Since Baiterek is conveniently located in the city center, it is very easy to get to it by buses # 10, 12, 18, 21, 27, 28, 29, 35, 46, 50, 70, 29A.
Opening hours: Daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Other tourist attractions near the Baiterek Monument:
- Keruen Shopping Mall
- Talan Towers
- National Archives of Kazakhstan
- Abu Nasr al-Farabi Mosque
- Korme Exhibition Center
- National Academic Library
- Nurzhol Boulevard
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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