Republic Square is the ceremonial heart of Almaty, a vast open plaza flanked by government buildings and the former residence of the president. At its centre rises the Independence Monument, a 28-metre column topped by a golden warrior — a modern take on the ancient Saka "Golden Man" found in a burial mound near the city. The warrior stands on the backs of winged snow leopards, Kazakhstan's national symbol.
The square hosts the country's main public celebrations: military parades on independence day, outdoor concerts, and political gatherings. On ordinary days it is a windswept, photogenic space that tells you something about the country's ambitions. The Central State Museum of Kazakhstan faces the square from the south, making it a natural starting point for a morning of sightseeing.