Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

Designed by the British architect Norman Foster and completed in 2006, this glass-and-steel pyramid rises about sixty-two metres over central Astana. It was conceived as a venue for a triennial congress of world and traditional religions, gathering faith leaders under one roof. Inside are an opera hall, exhibition galleries and a light-filled apex adorned with stained-glass doves. The building's clean geometry and elevated observation level make it a defining piece of the city's planned modern skyline.