Spilling over nearly 60 acres, one of the largest in the world, Presidential Park is a green oasis in the centre of Astana, filled with eye-catching symbolism.
Central to the design of this spectacular open space is a unique fountain that takes on the appearance of a bird, when viewed from above. In reality, it’s not just any bird, but the Samruk – a mythical creature that symbolises life and freedom. Each morning the fountain is dry, its granite basins forming a pedestrian square. Throughout the day, jets in the basin fill the bird with water that later cascades away like a river.
The Samruk fountain leads organically to another centerpiece of Presidential Park—the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. After opening in 2006, the 252-foot-tall pyramid has become a top event venue and cultural attraction in the city. The building was designed by British architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, who is also responsible for London’s famous “Gherkin.”
Clad in pale granite and topped with stained glass that incorporates dove motifs, the Palace was created to host Astana’s triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. This congress brings together religious and political leaders from around the world to discuss issues of safety and how to combat extremism.
As such, the Palace has accommodations for all major world religions. The monument also contains an opera house, a museum of culture, library, and research center, making it a major symbol of Kazakstan’s openness to welcoming other cultures and living peacefully.
