Compote - memories of a one-story Almaty

Compote is an unofficial name for several blocks located in the Medeu district. Its conventional boundaries are Satpayev Street, the Zharbulak River, Bogenbai Batyr Street, and the Malaya Almatinka River. In this place, there are still a lot of one-story houses built back in the 19th century, at the time of Vernyi City. These houses still please the eye with a multicolored palette and window frames decorated with exquisite shutters and platbands.

The name "compote" appeared because the streets located in that cottage area were called "Yablochnaya" ("Apple"), "Vishnevaya" ("Cherry"), and "Grushevaya" ("Pear"). This place was also famous for its fruit gardens. The name "Compote" cannot be found on maps, but any resident of Almaty will tell you how to get there.

Not only a "sweet" name

This district is not only famous for its "sweet" name but also for its people. So, since 1958, artist Abylkhan Kasteev has lived in a house specially built for his large family on behalf of Dinmukhamed Kunaev, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR. Prominent representatives of the Soviet intelligentsia visited this house: the famous composer Nurgisa Tlendiev, a dancer named Shara Zhienkulova, an artist from Uzbekistan, Oral Tansykbaev, and an artist from Kyrgyzstan, Gappar Aitiev.

Since 2004, the building No. 6 on Bekhozhina Street has been a museum. And now, anyone can visit this house. Rooms kept in their original form: living room, three bedrooms, workshop, kitchen, bathroom, veranda and garden. You can find Kasteev’s old works, memorable photographs, and books here.

"Vishnevaya" to "Amanzholova" and "Grushevaya" to "Zvereva."

Sarsen Amanzholov, a scientist and linguist, lived on Vishnevaya Street. He developed the basics of Kazakh language grammar for primary, secondary, and higher educational institutions; the basics of Kazakh writing (alphabet and spelling); the basic principles for Kazakh terminology; and the basics of Kazakh dialectology in Cyrillic. After his death, the street was renamed in his honor.

Another famous person who lived in "Compote" was one of the Zoo and Almaty Nature Reserve founders, zoologist Maxim Zverev. He conducted scientific work, taught at the Kazakh State University, organized a small academy of young naturalists, fought against poachers, and worked to stop deforestation in the Trans-Ili Alatau. He saved the famous Tien Shan fir. Maxim Zverev is also the author of numerous books about animals and birds. In his honor, Grushevaya Street, where he had lived since 1944, was renamed Zvereva Street.

The sculptor Hakim Nauryzbaev also lived in "Compote." He built monuments to Abai Kunanbayev on the square in front of the Republic Palace, to Shokan Ualikhanov in the park in front of the National Academy of Sciences, to M.I. Kalinin (the monument was originally placed in front of the Alma-Ata 2 railway station; but in 2001, it was moved to the park behind the Sary-Arka cinema), to Zhambyl Zhabayev in Taraz, and V.I. Lenin in the village of Zhansugurov, Almaty region.

Pugasov and the Oak Tree

The building No. 70 on Bogenbay Batyr Street is the former house of the famous merchant Nikita Pugasov. His sons lived here; Pugasov himself visited Vernyi from Tashkent on trade-related business. After the revolution, the building was confiscated, and various facilities, such as a school, were housed there. Now, the house is divided into three apartments. Nearby, there is a pedestrian bridge over Malaya Almatinka; - it is still popularly called Pugasov Bridge.

A vibrant local attraction is Almaty’s biggest oak tree. According to various sources, it is from 180 to 300 years old, and it is believed that the tree is older than Vernyi City. Its trunk diameter is more than three meters, and its height is more than 20 meters. An oak grows at the crossroads of Zverev and Shevtsova streets on the territory of a kindergarten.

It is better to visit "Compote" with a good guide and in the warm season. It will allow you to fully see the beauty of the trees and relax by the river after a walk. Don’t forget to visit the "Kebab on Kirov" after the educational excursion - it is also one of the attractions.