Now let's go to the old center. You see the one of the oldest
saved buildings - the former municipal gymnasium, now it is one of
the faculty of the Almaty State University. It was the typical building
for the end of XIX and the beginning of the XX century capable to
resist the earthquake: low, with massive base, thick walls made from
red bricks. We can name it something like "the Russian colonial
style". Amusing detail: on the left side you see old red brick
gates, that leads nowhere but enthusiastically kept as a souvenir
of ancient Almaty (there is a restaurant behind named "At the
Old Gates"). The plants are also typical for Almaty: elms small-leaved.
In the summer time the branches close up and form a deep shadow above
the streets.
Let's go across the street to the former Municipal garden (now renamed
to the Park of 28 Gardsmen from the Panfilov Division).