Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is a structure in the form of a regular pyramid, which has become one of the visiting cards of the city of Astana. The ultramodern building was erected in 2006. It rises to a height of 62 meters, has a base of 62×62 m² and an area of 28 thousand m². The facets of the architectural landmark are facing the four sides of the world and symbolize friendship, unity and peace in the Kazakh land, as well as the fact that the Kazakh people are open to representatives of all nations and religions.

.

Video: Palace of Peace and Harmony

Contents

Highlights

Inside the Palace of Peace and Concord, the Opera Hall and several conference rooms are housed. There are presentation rooms, an exhibition of Kazakh costumes and the Tomiris Bar. In addition to seminars and meetings, the building is used for marriage ceremonies.

The Palace of Peace and Concord is popular with the people of Kazakhstan. In 2008, the country issued a commemorative coin in honor of the 10th anniversary of Astana. On it, among other architectural monuments of the Kazakh capital, placed the image of the famous pyramid. The Palace of Peace and Concord also decorates stamps, posters and tourist booklets dedicated to the country’s sights.

.

How the Palace of Peace and Concord was built

The idea to erect an unusual building in Astana emerged in September 2003, when the first congress of leaders of world and traditional religions was held here. The project of the pyramidal Palace of Peace and Concord, unique for Central Asia, was designed by Baron Norman Foster. The British architect is popular in many countries of the world and is the winner of the Imperial and Pulitzer Prizes. In addition to the palace-pyramid, Foster built the Astana-Baiterek monument, the building of the Library of the First President and the Khan-Shatyr shopping and entertainment center in the capital of Kazakhstan.

.

The pyramid was erected by the Turkish construction company “Sembol Inshaat”. The grand opening of the building took place on September 1, 2006 with the participation of the world-famous singer Montserrat Caballe. The second meeting of the world’s religious leaders was held in the Palace of Peace and Harmony.

Halls

The pride of the Palace of Peace and Concord is the large Opera Hall, which can accommodate 1302 spectators. The room is equipped with modern music and lighting technology and meets all international standards. The Opera Hall stage is a complex structure: it consists of a main stage, two side stages and a back stage.

.

Up to 70 musicians can play in the orchestra pit. For the convenience of actors and performers, the Opera Hall has 19 dressing rooms, which are located on three floors. In addition to concerts and theater productions, the hall is used for seminars and conferences.

>

The grand staircase leads up to the Atrium, the largest hall by area. It is decorated with white marble and can seat up to 500 people. The top of the Palace of Peace and Concord is occupied by the “Cradle” hall. From the dome there is an excellent view of the streets and buildings of Astana, as well as the Presidential Park, which leads to the residence of the President of Kazakhstan. The upper hall is used for seminars and meetings, it can accommodate up to 100 people and is equipped with a modern simultaneous translation system.

.

Decorating the Palace of Peace and Concord was a huge stained glass window made by artist Brian Clark. It depicts 130 doves, which have become symbols of 130 nationalities that live on the territory of Kazakhstan.

.

On the sixth floor of the building there are premises belonging to the center of contemporary art “Kulanshi”. Here, on an area of 1000 m², they organize changing exhibitions of works by Kazakh artists and brush masters from other countries. The permanent exhibition includes original lithographs by Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso, as well as graphics by Dürer and Rembrandt. The center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

.

On the first floor of the Palace of Peace and Concord there is an art salon “Aru-ART”, where souvenirs, handicrafts and works of arts and crafts are sold. These are products made of fur, felt, wood, metal and author’s jewelry.

.

Visitors

You can see the premises of the Palace of Peace and Harmony during guided tours, which are conducted in three languages: English, Kazakh and Russian. They take place daily from 10.00 to 18.00. Tickets cost 600 KZT for adults and 400 KZT for children.

.

How to get there

The Palace of Peace and Concord is located at 57 Tauelsizdik Avenue in the center of Astana. It can be reached by city buses No. 4, 14, 19, 21, 29 and 40.

.