Nur-Sultan historical city tour

09:00

In the Central Square is located "Ishim" hotel. • "Ishim" hotel is one of the first hotels on the central area of the city; it was built in 1958-1964 years. Ishim is one of the landmarks in Astana. After major reconstruction carried out in 2000- 2004, the hotel was opened as a four-star hotel "Grand Park Esil" under the leadership of the Turkish company. After visiting "Ishim" hotel, we will see the next historical monument that was built by Kazakh merchant - Baimukhambet Koshegulov. • Koshegulov’s School for Muslim youth – was built in 19th and in the beginning of 20th centuries. Now it is Kazkommerce bank. Then we will pass to the Russian merchant houses • Mansion of the merchant Moses - attraction of Astana, built in 1914-18 years. House of merchant Moses was preserved in its original form. It is a shining example of brick architectonics. It is considered as one of the amazing buildings in the city. Today it is used as Central Clinical Hospital for Disabled War II. After visiting Mansion of the merchant Moses, we will see the house of Mathew’s son – Vasiliy. • Mansion of the merchant Kubrins’ - was built in the 1910-1912 years and was a half-floor detached house, with an annexe and a cellar. It belonged to Mathew’s son Vasiliy, who built it for his fiancée. Merchant store “Rainbow” was connected with house by tunnel, which is lost today. Nowadays Embassy of Ukraine located in this building. The next historical object for visiting is Merchant store “Rainbow”. • Merchant store “Rainbow” was built in 1905-1907 and belonged to merchant Mathew Kubrin. There people could find apothecary, manufactory, clothing, jewelry, stationery, office supplies, and clothes, shoes, hats, watches, tea and sugar. Later in 2007 it was renamed as Supermarket Astana and is popular among the local people. Thanks to the efforts of the current owners of the interior of "Astana" supermarket recalls the last merchant of Akmolinsk. Near The Old Square is located The Mansion of the merchant Silin. • The Mansion of the merchant Silin has been located in The Old Square since the 19th century. It is a two-storey house with a laconic decoration of facades. Due to modern reconstruction the original appearance of the monument has been preserved completely. The former house of the merchant Silin is the clearest example of the preservation of historic buildings in the city that delight its appearance more than one generation. Today The Embassy of Belarus locates there. In front of The Mansion of the merchant Silin is located the first palace in the Tcelinograd. • The palace of Virgin Landers was built in 1964 by Soviet Latvian architects P. Phogels, O. Kraucklis, and D. Dannerberg, as a gift to Akmolinsk from N. Khrushchev. It has 2500 spectators’ seats. The next stop of our tour is the first theatre in the city. • Theatre of Gorkiy is one of the first theatres in Kazakhstan. It was built in 1899 by merchant Kubrin and The Akmolinsk City Council. The first performance was Ivan Susanin. Nowadays two buildings belong to theatre, one of them was built in 1899 another one was joined to theatre in 1939, and it belonged before to the judge. And now we are passing to visit the House of merchant G. Kazantsev. • House of merchant Kazantsev is a monument of wooden architecture, which was built in 1846 by merchant G. Kazantsev for Dr. F Blagoveshenkiy as a district hospital. In 1988 there were opened a museum of Saken Seifullin. It is the repository of monuments of history, material and spiritual culture, connected with his life and work. More than 5,000 items account for the funds of the museum. Unique photographs, books, little-known documents, photos and copies of archival documents, newspapers, personal items belonging to Saken Seifullin and his family. After we will visit the Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral • Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Cathedral was built in the 1850s. The yellow-walled church has an octagonal tower surmounted by an onion dome, with a smaller octagonal tower, also crowned with an onion dome, above the entrance on the western side of the building.

11:00

After visiting the old buildings, we will see the most beautiful mosque in central Asia - Hazret Sultan mosque, which belongs to a New City. • Hazret Sultan mosque which is translated “Apostolic Sultan” is the largest mosque in Central Asia was built in 2012. It can accommodate up to 10 thousand people. The mosque was built from a white marble in classical oriental palace style. Construction of mosque involved over 1,500 builders and masters, who with joint efforts created the most beautiful landmark of Astana. After seeing Hazret Sultan mosque we will see the Pyramid of Peace and Accord • Pyramid of Peace and Accord is Giant Glass Pyramid designed by a prominent British architect; Norman Foster was built in 2006. The glass dome is decorated with 130 pigeon figures that symbolize 130 ethnic nations that live in Kazakhstan The next object to see is the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. • The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the youngest and largest museum in Central Asia. It is composed 7 halls. One of them is a Golden Hall has a unique collection of gold jewelry found in the mounds Saka tribes, such rarities as a golden earring of burial Mayemer, more than 200 units of apparel items "Golden Man", among which more than 1,800 gold ornaments in the form of flakes of fish and more than 20 thousand small gold ornaments. Ancient and Medieval History Hall shows us a collection of artifacts found during archaeological excavations in Kazakhstan and it is the largest collection in our country. After visiting the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, we will see the Nazarbayev Center • “Nazarbayev Center” was opened in 2013. Design of it was developed by N.Foster, which looks like a giant round eye gazing into the sky. The total area of the Center is almost 30,000 sq.m, the diameter of the span of the roof is 81 meters.

13:00

Lunch

14:00

After lunch, walk towards the Central Concert Hall, • Central Concert Hall this was designed by the Studio Nicoletti in 2010. Access to the Concert Hall is granted only if a letter to the Director of the Concert Hall is written; From the Central Concert Hall walk along the alley towards Ak Orda – Palace • Ak Orda – Palace where the President of Kazakhstan resides. Ak Orda, was built in 2004, its design was developed by Mabetex Group and it estimated to be c.37000 sq.m; From Ak Orda Palace walk towards the pedestal where opens a beautiful view on Ak Orda and Green Boulevard From the pedestal, tourists will walk towards Green Boulevard via the bridge. Along the Nurzhol Boulevard, there is a residential Nursaya Complex, • Nursaya Complex was built in 2003 by local architect Yergaliev. Nursaya complex, which consists of two parts on either side of Nurzhol Boulevard is considered one of the most prestigious and expensive residential buildings in Astana. From Nursaya complex walk towards Baiterek monument • Baiterek monument which is 105 meters and top of which is located observation platform with a breathtaking view on Water Green Esplanade, Northern Light offices, Emerald Towers, Transport tower. When entering Baiterek, there is two elevators that take cannot accommodate more than 12 people. At Turkestan Street, turn left and walk towards Talan towers, • A Talan towers are the first Green Complex in Central Asia that was built using energy-saving technologies compliant with LEED standards. Talan Towers which was designed by Pablo de Miguel from architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); From Talan towers walk to Abu Dhabi Plaza, • An Abu Dhabi complex consists of three building. By the time of its construction, Abu Dhabi Plaza will be the tallest building in Central Asia382 meters; Design of Abu Dhabi Plaza was developed by HKR architects. From Abu Dhabi Plaza walk towards Nur Astana mosque • Nur Astana is the second biggest mosque in Central Asia and elegant decoration of city. The mosque was built with the support of the State of Qatar. Project mosque "Nur-Astana" has developed a Lebanese architect Charles Hafiz. The opening was on March 22, 2005 in honor of Nauryz celebration From Nur Astana mosque walk towards Astana Opera • The State Opera and Ballet Theatre “Astana Opera” was founded in 2013 by groups of architectures from 33 countries by the leadership of Behgjet Pacolli and on the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan. The theatre is situated on a plot of almost 9 hectares. The building is 64,000 sq. m. The main conductor is Alan Buribayev. “The Sleeping Beauty», «Romeo and Juliet”, “Rodin” ballets, The “Birzhan-Sara”, “Attila” operas are put on stage.

17:00

From Astana Opera walking to Khan-Shatyr complex. • Khan-Shatyr Entertainment Center ("Royal Marquee") was designed by famous British Architect, Lord Norman Foster. It is the biggest tent in the world and also is the biggest shopping center in Kazakhstan. The main idea of Khan Shatyr is to create an atmosphere of comfort and antidote to the stress of daily life with the variety of greenery and fresh flowers.