The capital of Tatarstan is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. Kazan received the status of the main city of the republic in 1990. Today it attracts tens of thousands of Russian tourists and travelers from abroad. People come to Kazan to see ancient temples and mosques, unusual buildings, majestic monuments and colorful historical quarters. We will tell you about the most popular places that tourists try to visit.
How the city was built
Kazan appeared long before Moscow. In 2005, the Tatar city celebrated its 1000th anniversary. At first it was a fortress in the medieval Volga Bulgaria - a state that controlled the Middle Volga region and the Kama river basin. Since the 30s of the 15th century, Kazan became part of the Golden Horde and turned into a rich and prosperous city.
Night Kazan. View of the Kazan Kremlin
In 1552 it was captured by the troops of the Russian Tsar John IV the Terrible, and Kazan became part of Muscovy. Under Peter I, the city became the center of a large Russian province. A shipyard, a tannery and a cloth manufacture were built here.
Catherine II, having visited Kazan, was delighted with her beauty and issued liberal decrees on religious tolerance. Thanks to her, national buildings and stone mosques appeared in Kazan, so the Tatars still call the Russian empress “the queen-grandmother”.
View of the cultural and entertainment complex "Pyramid"
The most famous sights of Kazan
The city is famous for its picturesque pedestrian streets, embankments and parks. One of the features of Kazan is the historic center of the Old Tatar settlement and the stone walls of the Kremlin, which has been preserved almost intact.
Kazan Kremlin complex
Article: Kazan Kremlin - the visiting card of the Tatar capital
View of the Kazan Kremlin from the opposite side of the river. Kazanka
The magnificent architectural ensemble, which is called the hallmark of the city, is located on Millennium Square, on the banks of the Kazanka River. UNESCO included the Kazan Kremlin in the list of World Heritage Sites. All tourists who first came to the capital of Tatarstan come here.
The architectural monument has the status of a museum-reserve and occupies more than 13 hectares. The most beautiful mosque Kul-Sharif rises on its territory, and the official residence of the head of the republic is located - the Presidential Palace.
Syuyumbike tower in the Kazan Kremlin
Believers try to get into the ancient Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery, Blagoveshchensky cathedral and Vvedenskaya church... Parents with children are interested in the Kremlin museums and exhibition halls.
The outer perimeter of the stone walls of the Kazan Kremlin is about 1.8 km. In the east of the complex there is a four-tiered Spasskaya Tower, which was built in the 16th century. As well as Moscow namesake, Kazan Spasskaya Tower has a clock, but the stone building in Kazan is not red, but white.
View of the buildings of the Kazan Kremlin and the Volga
The "falling" Syuyumbike tower is often called the architectural symbol of the city. Nowadays, the spire of an old building is deviated from the vertical by almost 2 m.
Cathedrals and temples of Kazan
Article: Cathedrals, temples and mosques of Kazan - traditions of all religions
Temple of all religions
Traditions of different religions are organically intertwined in the Tatar capital. The big city has a Catholic church, a Lutheran church, an Old Believer church, a Krishna temple and a Protestant church. 48 Orthodox churches peacefully coexist with 52 Muslim mosques.
One of the most remarkable religious buildings in Kazan - Temple of All Religions... This bright eclectic building with towers and colorful windows was designed by Eldar Manseevich Khanov. It combines elements of 16 world religions, including such rare ones as the beliefs of the ancient Assyrians that have long faded into oblivion. The unique temple is located 9.5 km from Kazan, in the village of Old Arakchino.
Peter and Paul Cathedral
The local Orthodox diocese is the largest in the Middle Volga region. The city center is decorated with majestic cathedrals - Peter and Paul, Nikolsky and Epiphany. The red brick bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral is the highest in Kazan. It rises to 74 m.The Peter and Paul Cathedral is known for its huge seven-tiered iconostasis 25 m high.Near the walls of the Kremlin, you can see the snow-white church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday, and next to it - an elegant chapel "Tsaritsa".
Christianity in Kazan began to develop after the conquest of the city by Ivan IV the Terrible, and Islam existed in the Tatar lands long before that. Most of the ancient mosques of Kazan are located on the territory of the Old Tatar settlement.
Azimov Mosque
The oldest of them, the picturesque Blue Mosque, was built in 1778. After Tsarina Catherine II visited Kazan, the al-Marjani mosque appeared in the city, which is also called the Yunusov mosque.
On the outskirts of the Staro-Tatar settlement rises a pale green cathedral mosque Nurulla... Looks very romantic Azimov Mosque on Fatkullina street, 15. All tourists like patterned windows, neat decor of facades and a high minaret.
Epiphany Cathedral on Bauman Street
For the 1000th anniversary of the adoption of Islam, Muslims built a Jubilee or The Mosque... The red brick building with white trim and green domes stands out from the surrounding buildings.
Kazan monasteries
Article: Kazan monasteries - strongholds of Orthodoxy in the Volga region
Zilantov Uspensky Convent from a bird's eye view
Since ancient times, the spiritual traditions of Orthodoxy have been preserved in men's and women's monasteries. Two of them are located on the island city of Sviyazhsk... 2 km from Sviyazhsk, on the right bank of the Volga, there is the Makaryevsky Monastery, founded at the beginning of the 17th century. The revered desert is surrounded by green forests on all sides.
The very first Orthodox monastery of Kazan was created near the grave of soldiers who died during the capture of the city in the middle of the 16th century. Nowadays female Zilantov Uspensky monastery nicely restored, and its territory looks well-groomed. The monastery has a belfry with the largest bell in the diocese. It weighs about 7.5 tons!
General view of the Raifa Mother of God Monastery
In the vicinity of Kazan, there is the magnificently beautiful Raifsky Monastery. Tourists and pilgrims are attracted by a wonderful lake, a source of holy water, an icon of the Georgian Mother of God and a sundial in the shape of a cross.
Since 1613 there has been Kazan Monastery of the Mother of God... An amazing desert is located in the village with the affectionate name Semizerka. For four centuries, the Christian monastery experienced a heyday and decline, and in 1996 it began to revive as a men's monastery.
General view of the Kazan Mother of God Monastery
People come here to see the restored church with a bell tower, to pray to the miraculous icon of the Mother of God and to drink water from the Semizersky spring and the source of the "Anisiny ridge".
Right in the city, next to the metro station "Kozya Sloboda" you can see Kizichesky Vvedensky monastery... It got its name in honor of the Christian martyrs who died for their faith in the city of Cyzicus, in Asia Minor.
Farmers' Palace
Article: Palace of the Farmers - bronze wood and eclecticism
General view of the Palace of the Farmers
An eclectic palace with a bronze tree in the middle rises in the Vakhitovsky district of the city, near the northern wall of the Kremlin. Luxurious facades and intricate architectural forms are made in the traditions of Empire and Classicism.
The original monumental building houses the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic and other state organizations. Local residents perceive the Palace of Farmers ambiguously.Many believe that the palace complex was too expensive for the treasury, and it spoils the appearance of the historic city center.
View of the bronze tree of the Palace of the Farmers
Tourists refer to the palace as one of the notable sights of Kazan. Guests of the city like the twisted spiral lattice of the main dome, an unusual metal tree 20 m high, slender columns and beautiful illumination of the facades at night.
Kremlin embankment
Article: Kremlin embankment - a pleasant walk by the river
If you like to walk and want to take beautiful photos, walk along a well-groomed pedestrian street in the center of Kazan. It runs along the river bank from the walls of the Kremlin to the center of the Kazan family.
View of the Kremlin embankment
They walk along the walking area, ride skateboards, scooters and bicycles. Along the embankment there are cafes, restaurants, attractions, themed alleys and sports grounds. Children are delighted with the elegant French carousel and the funny Italian steam locomotive. In winter, a long skating rink is flooded here, and in the evenings they arrange colorful illumination.
Family center "Kazan"
Article: The Kazan family center is the main registry office of Tatarstan and a wonderful observation deck
View of the center of the Kazan family
A bright landmark of the city can be seen from afar. The unusual wedding palace rises on a bulk peninsula, near the end of the Kremlin dam. The original building in the shape of a huge cauldron was built in 500 days and was opened quite recently - in 2013.
The family center is interesting not only for newlyweds. On its roof there is an observation deck with beautiful views of the Kremlin and the Kazanka Valley.
Interesting places of Kazan
Shamil's House - which houses the Literary Museum of Gabdulla Tukai
Many interesting tourist routes have been laid in the Tatar capital. Whichever part of the city you go, you can find unusual architectural sights, beautiful monuments and green parks everywhere.
Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda is a picturesque historical district of Kazan, where the spirit of the old city is carefully preserved. Here you can see the authentic mansions of Tatar merchants and the most revered mosques.
Shamil's house - one of the most beautiful buildings of the Old Tatar settlement. The mansion with turrets looks like a medieval castle. Now a museum is opened in it, which bears the name of the national poet Gabdulla Tukay.
General view of the Ekiyat puppet theater
The Tatar Puppet Theater "Ekiyat" is one of the oldest puppet theaters in our country. If you come to Kazan with children, go to a colorful show. The theater's repertoire includes performances in Russian and Tatar.
Aleksandrovsky Passage is an original building in the center of Kazan, which was built in the 80s of the XIX century in the traditions of Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque. The facades of the passage are decorated with stucco and sculptures. The city authorities want to turn the old building into a luxury hotel.
View of the building of the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan
Bauman Street is the oldest highway in Kazan and a great place for walking. The pedestrian street, laid from the ancient Kremlin to Tukay Square, is called "Kazansky Arbat". Tourists come to see street artists and musicians, admire monuments and relax in cozy cafes.
The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan is the largest Tatar museum, which houses more than 910 thousand exhibits. The main building is occupied by the Gostiny Dvor complex. The halls of the museum display rare archaeological finds, ancient coins, ethnographic collections and archives of figures of Tatar culture.
House of Ushkova
House of Ushkova - an eclectic mansion on Kremlin Street, built at the beginning of the last century. The picturesque building is famous for its dragon-shaped doorknobs, the state empire hall, Venetian mirrors and painted ceilings. Tourists are offered guided tours of the mansion.
Millennium Park is a wonderful place for recreation and walking for locals and tourists. The park was built in 2005 for the anniversary of the city on the shore of Lake Kaban. The central part is decorated with a huge fountain with dragons, and avenues diverge from it in all directions.
Victory Memorial Park
Victory Memorial Park is one of the largest green areas in Kazan, which has an area of 50 hectares. In the park you can see monuments to soldiers, an eternal flame and samples of military equipment. Most of the lake is occupied by wild ducks.
