An architectural walk around the ensemble of Independence Square. Start outside the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan; set aside additional time if you wish to see its exhibitions. View the Palace of Independence from outside, then walk to the Kazakh Eli monument. Continue to Hazret Sultan Mosque to appreciate its white façades and ornament. Use available pedestrian crossings to reach the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the pyramid that ends the route. Allow 2.5–4 hours including one museum visit; an exterior-only walk takes less time. Check entrances and admission rules in advance. The open squares can be windy. Sections beside large buildings indicate approaches to map markers rather than exact entrances.
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Stops are numbered in walking order. Tap a stop to read about it.
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located in Astana at 54 Tauelsizdik Avenue, on Independence Square. The complex covers 74,000 square meters; the museum has 18 halls with a total area of 14,000 square meters. The exhibitions feature a multimedia guide with information in three languages.
The Palace of Independence is a three-story building with a total area of more than 40,000 m², opened in 2008. The second floor houses an art gallery, and the congress hall can accommodate 3,082 people.
The «Qazaq Eli» Monument is located in Astana, in the Almaty District, on Täuelsizdik Avenue; it is 91 meters high. It was opened on July 6, 2008, and a mythical bird, Samruk, is depicted at its summit. The monument symbolizes the independence of Kazakhstan.
The Hazret Sultan Mosque in Astana is a complex that opened in 2012 and covers more than 11 hectares; the building has a floor area of 17,700 square meters. A 51-meter-high dome rises above the building, and four 77-meter minarets stand at the corners; the mosque accommodates up to 5,000 worshippers, and up to 10,000 people on holidays.
The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is a building designed by British architect Norman Foster and opened in 2006; that same year, a meeting of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held here. Inside are the Opera Hall, exhibition halls and the Kulanshi contemporary art gallery, while the pyramid’s apex is adorned with a stained-glass window depicting 130 white doves.
Start a route in 5Place, mark visited places and continue your walk later.