Globetrotting Gleesons

Almaty - the city of apples

Little known fact: Almaty was the birthplace of the apple.

Almaty used to be called Alma-Ata which translates as Grandfather of Apples and once upon a time the foothills of the surrounding Tian Shan mountains were thickly forested with wild apple trees.

Silk Road trade is believed to have scattered the fruit far and wide, eventually reaching Europe and subsequently a supermarket near you. 

The apple is the symbol of Almaty and is celebrated throughout the city, from the mounds of apples for sale by the bucket, and slowly stewing in the heat at the Green Bazaar, to the street art decorating the tree lined pavements. There’s a whole street decorated with giant metre wide apples depicting traditional Kazakh scenes and a few where the artist may have been indulging in a few too many apple infused tipples. So here’s a few succulent examples to brighten your day.

Entertainment and education and a random bit of information for future pub quizzes…….

Helen (26th July 2025)

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Claire Wilkin
8 months ago

They look great!

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Carole Bell
8 months ago

Pound of apples waiting for you at home.. XXX

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Zoe
8 months ago

How lovely, nothing like giant apples and a bit of colour to brighten up a city