16 Sep to 18 Sep, 2022 - Nur-Sultan (Astana) - (Kazakhstan)
A quick photo based entry about our brief stop in Nur-Sultan. Initially, we were going to bypass this city, capital of Kazakhstan. However, we had such a great couple of days. The layout of the city, and the architecture, something that we really appreciate having experienced. We ate really well, in fact, so well, that we ate at the same place again, the next night.
First, the names of the city. Initially, in the 19th century, a fortress called Akmola was here. In 1961, it became Tselinograd. Post Soviet Union, back to being called Akmola. In 1997, it became Astana, which means capital. Finally, 2019 saw it renamed Nur-Sultan, in honour of the ex-president.
And now the breaking news. Really breaking news. That finally is not as finally as thought. In the last few days, the current president has announced that the name is to revert back to Astana! There you have it, not quite, but by the time you read this, Nur-Sultan may likely be another past name of the city.
Looking Out, Nur-Sultan
Nur-Sultan, capital of Kazkhstan. Looking out from the top of the Baiterek Tower, towards the east. The golden tapered towers provide bookends of the view of Kazakhstan’s presidential palace. Beyond that, the river separates the (obscured in this photo) Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Independence Square, and more important buildings, as well as an important mosque.
Baiterek Tower and its Egg
This city has had a number of names. In 1998, it became “Astana”, when the capital was moved here. Only in 2019 was it renamed to Nur-Sultan. With that renaming, and the following growth, planners took the opportunity to lay out the wide boulevards, creating a very open feel, and opportunities for key buildings and landmark structures to become features. The focus of the layout is Nurzhol Boulevard, and the iconic Baiterek Tower. It is inspired by legends of Samruk, who lays her egg at the top of the tree of life.
KazMunayGaz, Creating a Frame for Khan Shatyr
Khan Shatyr means “Royal Marquee”. It is a shopping centre full of brands and entertainment, including rides and a dinosaur theme park. These two buildings mark the western end of Nurzhol Boulevard.
Using the Props Provided
Prayer Hall, Hazrat Sultan Mosque
The Hazrat Sultan Mosque was the main mosque for Astana until this year, when a new mosque was inaugurated. We visited at a quiet time, when only a handful of others were inside.
Hazrat Sultan Mosque
A couple of men have chosen sunny spots to study.
World’s Largest Fully Spherical Building
The glass of the building is not pieced together to approximate a ball, but each piece was engineered with the precise curve in it, to make a true sphere. Inside is an eight storey museum about energy, space, and the future for Kazakhstan. This follows on from its original use as the centrepiece of Expo 2017 International Exhibition. It is known as the Nur Alem Pavillion.
Eight Storeys up on a Glass Floor
Inside Nur Alem Pavilion, Jo shows us how fearless she is on the glass floor.
Grand Mosque, Nur-Sultan
Replacing Hazrat Sultan Mosque as the principal place of worship, the Grand Mosque was opened this year. It is the largest mosque in Central Asia, and ranks amongst the largest in the world.
Prayer Hall, Grand Mosque
In contrast to our mosque visit, earlier in the day, the Grand Mosque was bustling and lively. Children cried out and ran across the lush thick carpet, rolling and playing in delight. People sat around and chatted in circles. It felt very uptempo and relaxed.
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