Independence Square and the Kazakh Eli Monument
Independence Square, located on Tauelsizdik Avenue in Astana, is the largest square in the city and serves as a venue for various cultural events such as festivals, concerts, parades, and fairs.
At the heart of the square stands the Kazakh Eli Monument, a 91-meter-tall stele made of white marble, with a rectangular base and decorative niches on each side. The stele features a gilded figure of the mythical bird Samruk on top. Legend has it that every year Samruk lays a golden egg – the Sun – which is then swallowed by dragon Aidahar, marking the transition between seasons and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The monument's bas-reliefs depict important milestones in the history of independent Kazakhstan, including the depiction of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the main facade. The snow leopards, which guard the Constitution, are also powerful symbols of the country. One of the bas-reliefs also features the image of the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
How to get there?
Independence Square is situated on the right bank of the capital, opposite the President's Park, forming a significant part of the city's cultural and historical landscape. The area boasts of several noteworthy landmarks such as the Khazret Sultan Mosque, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, and the Palace of Independence.
To reach the square, visitors can conveniently take any of the following buses: 3, 4, 4A, 19, 14, 21, 29, 29A, 32, 40, 43, 50, 802, or 806. The nearest bus stops are the «National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan», «Kazakh Eli Monument», and «Shabyt Palace of Creativity».
Other tourist attractions near Independence Square:
- Khazret Sultan Mosque
- National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Kazakh Music and Drama Theater named after K. Kuanyshbayev
- Shabyt University of the Arts
- Peace Wall Monument
- Palace of Independence
- Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
- Presidential Park
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