Victory Park
Victory Park is one of the coziest and most well-kept green corners of Karaganda. Though compact in size, it’s a pleasant place for walks and reflection. It’s also home to monuments that honor Karaganda residents who took part in World War II, the Afghan war, and the Chernobyl cleanup.
The park was originally called the Park of Internationalist Soldiers in memory of those who fought in the Soviet-Afghan war. In 2005, it was renamed Victory Park, expanding its dedication to include WWII. On May 9, 2009 (the 64th anniversary of Victory Day) the renovated park officially opened its doors to the city’s residents.
Monuments and Memorials
Among the park’s landmarks are:
- Monument to Internationalist Soldiers. At the center stands an 8-meter bronze figure of a young man. The statue represents the “war-scorched youth” of a generation sent to fight in a distant conflict.
- Stele for the 60th Anniversary of Victory. The entrance from Respublika Avenue is marked by a tall stele crowned with the star of the Halyk Kaharmany order – Kazakhstan’s highest military award.
- Monument to the Chernobyl Liquidators. At the opposite end of the park, three columns topped with the warning sign “Caution, radiation” pay tribute to the Karaganda residents who helped contain the Chernobyl disaster. Around 2,000 people from the region served as liquidators. Nearby are the liquidator’s emblem and a panel with photographs taken by Karaganda residents during their mission.
- Walls of Memory. Along one of the park’s alleys stand stone walls decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from World War II, as well as the names of Karaganda’s heroes.
Unique Features of Karaganda’s Victory Park
Unlike many Victory Parks across the former Soviet Union, Karaganda’s version has little in the way of military hardware. The only exhibit is a BTR-60 (a Soviet eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier) placed near the Monument to Internationalist Soldiers.
Another distinctive feature is the absence of an Eternal Flame, which is traditionally a centerpiece of Victory parks in post-Soviet cities. In Karaganda, the Eternal Flame is located in the square by the Karaganda History Museum.
How to get there?
Victory Park is located in the southeastern part of Karaganda, just behind the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima.
The most convenient option is the “12 Months Store” stop, right next to the cathedral. You can get there by buses №5, 19, 43, 49, 53, 56, 70, or 141.
Alternative stops:
- “Orbita-2” – served by buses №33, 45 and minibus №29.
- “28th Shop” – served by minibuses №07 and 63.
- If you’re coming from Aktas, Maykuduk, or Mikhaylovka, take bus №146 and get off at the “Karavan” stop. From there, it’s just a few hundred meters to the park.
Other tourist attractions near the park:
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima
- Karaganda Arena
- Ethnopark
- Anet Baba Central Mosque
Gallery
Recommended tours:
All offers
On request
This journey will take you to the gems of Central Kazakhstan, including Karkaraly National Park, the Bronze Age Kent settlement, Scythian burial mounds, and the remnants of the ancient Buddhist temple known as Kent Palace.
On request
Embark on an exploration of the Soviet legacy on Kazakh soil! This tour takes you to the infamous labor camps of the Stalin era, Karlag and Alzhir, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and various other landmarks from the Soviet era.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "CIP Lounge at Karaganda Airport")
Escape the busy airport environment. Book the CIP lounge access at the Karaganda Airport online. This service is available to passengers traveling on domestic and international flights.