Turkestan Railway Station

One of Turkestan’s notable attractions, its railway station, offers a unique blend of European charm amid the Central Asian landscape. This building seems plucked from a European street and carefully placed in the southern Kazakh steppes. Yet, despite its foreign origin, the Turkestan railway station complements the local scenery perfectly.

Constructed in 1903 as part of the southern branch of the Orenburg-Tashkent railway, this station is a prime example of architectural grandeur with its three main halls: the lobby and separate waiting areas for first- and second-class passengers. To emphasize the importance of these spaces, the architect designed high façades that give the building a distinguished and elegant appearance.

The station’s structure showcases archways with intricately curved window grilles and ornate profiles, which extend in decorative parapets above the roofline. The façades and interiors are adorned with intricate decorative elements, including unique door handles carved in the shape of animal heads. The rooftops are topped with turreted spires, each crowned by metal scrollwork and flourishes that add to the station’s distinct character.

Inside, rich wall paintings enhance the interior atmosphere, carefully restored in the 1950s. A magnificent bronze chandelier dominates the lobby, casting a regal glow across the hall and adding a sense of sophistication that evokes the spirit of scientific progress and exploration of the early 20th century. This enchanting structure witnessed the beginnings of Kazakhstan’s railway era and remains a testament to that age.

A particularly charming feature of the station is its vintage buffet area, which retains authentic elements of Art Nouveau style from the early 20th century. The graceful lines of the bar cabinet are repeated in the delicate windows of the main hall and in the entrance door. Faux fireplaces with cherubs add a whimsical touch to the space, though it’s a pity that the original furnishings from that period have not survived.

Surrounding the station, early 20th-century architecture also graces the area, including residential buildings and a water tower. While not all structures are equally well-preserved, their presence gives a distinctive historical character to the station’s neighborhood.