Sights of Elabuga: interesting places with photos and reviews

About the town

The city of Elabuga is located on the territory of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Tatarstan. In the local language the name sounds like Alabuga, or Alabuga. The total area of the settlement occupies just over 41 square kilometers. Almost 74 thousand people live in this territory. The town is located on the right bank of the Kama River, where the Toima River flows into it. From the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan - Kazan - Elabuga is located two hundred kilometers.

Elabuga is a stunningly beautiful corner of Russia, rich in its architecture and cultural heritage

Video: Elabuga city

A little history

The first settlement on the territory of modern Elabuga was organized by the Volga Bulgars back in the 10th–11th centuries. By the 16th century, a monastery was founded here, and then the Trinity Monastery, the appearance of which marked the beginning of the emergence of the village of Trekhsvyatskoye. It got its name thanks to the icon of the Three Saints, which was donated to the local church by Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. Soon the monastery was closed, and the settlement, on the contrary, began to grow. In 1780, the village received the status of a county town and was renamed Yelabuga. However, the population did not exceed a thousand people, and life was more reminiscent of rural than urban.

The 19th century is considered to be the heyday of Yelabuga

The heyday of Elabuga is considered to be the 19th century, when handicraft production and fishing actively developed in the city, and the population increased to ten thousand. Rich merchant families also lived here. Among them are the Stakheevs, who were engaged in the grain trade, or the Ushkovs, the founders of chemical plants near Yelabuga. At the same time, the city begins to change externally, acquiring a new architectural appearance: churches are erected, hospitals are opened, a water supply system is built, two and three-story houses are built. A fire that happened in the middle of the 19th century destroyed all the wooden buildings in the city, which is why the buildings had to be rebuilt, but from stone. This is exactly the look that Elabuga retains today.

ELABUGA

ELABUGA, a city in Russia, in the northeast of Tatarstan, the center of the Elabuga district. Us. 74.0 thousand people (2019). E. is one of the centers of the urban agglomeration (approx. 950 thousand inhabitants), which also includes Naberezhnye Chelny and Nizhnekamsk located on the left bank of the Kama. Located near the confluence of the river. Toima in the river Kama (on the right bank), 14 km from the railway station. Tikhonovo.

Story

Elabuga. House-museum of I. I. Shishkin. Photo by A. I. Nagaev

Elabuga. Panorama of the city.

The city grew out of Russian. palace village Trekhsvyatskoe (from the 2nd half of the 16th century it was also called E.). All R. 17th century In the village, a fort with 6 towers, fortified by ramparts and a moat, was erected, and in 1707 a tree was built around it. defensive wall. In 1739 the village was besieged by the rebel Bashkirs led by A. Kusyumov, and in 1774–75 by peasant detachments during the Pugachev uprising. In 1780–96 it was a district town of the Vyatka governorate, in 1796–1920 – in the Vyatka province. From ser. 19th century developed as a shopping center (ship connections with Kazan and Perm). During the First World War of 1914–18, the city housed a camp for prisoners of war soldiers and officers of the countries of the Quadruple Alliance. On Nov. 1917 Soviet power was established in Yerevan. During the Civil war 1917–22, 7.9.1918, taken by the People's Army of the Committee of Members of the Constituent Assembly [at the beginning. Oct. 1918, due to the offensive of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), abandoned]. 05/3/1919 occupied by Kolchak’s army, recaptured by units of the Red Army on 5/26/1919. In 1921–28 the center of the Yelabuga canton of the Tatar ASSR, in 1928–30 as part of the Chelny canton of the Tatar ASSR, from 1930 the regional center of the Tatar ASSR (1930–90), the Tatar SSR (1990–92), from 1992 - the Republic of Tatarstan.

Archeology

To the southwest outskirts of E., opposite the mouth of the river. Toima, there is the Elabuga (Devil's) settlement with 3 lines of earthen ramparts and ditches (over 30,000 m2) and the famous stone tower of the Bulgarian era (part of a caravanserai or a white-stone mosque-fortress, built no later than the 2nd half of the 12th century .); there are materials from the Ananino culture and the Pyanobor culture of the early Iron Age, early Middle Ages, 11th – mid. 16th centuries

The remains of the Trinity Monastery, built in 1614–16, have been preserved. and the associated cemetery. In historical parts of E., between the Spassky Cathedral and the Intercession Church, were studied in the Middle Ages. Bulgar settlement that arose in the end. 10 – start 11th centuries, and Muslim. burial ground; in 1911 a treasure trove of silver items from the 11th–13th centuries was found. The Elabuga settlement and settlement are considered as a citadel and settlement of the Bulgar and Bulgaro-Tatar city of Alabuga, which was a cult and political one. center East Predkamya. To the southeast. outskirts of E., in the floodplain of the river. Toima, a number of settlements of the Prikazan culture of the Late Bronze Age were identified. Opposite them, at the former. village Ananyino, on the dune there are Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements and the Ananyinsky burial ground.

Architecture

Yelabuga settlement. Stone tower of the Bulgarian period.

E. was built up according to a regular plan (1784, modified in 1796 by architect F. M. Roslyakov; expanded in 1846). Temples were erected on three coastal squares - the high-rise dominants of the city, including the Pokrovskaya Church. (built by 1820) and Nikolskaya Church. (1808–18; rebuilt 1848–52). Ensemble Center. The square is formed by the buildings of the Spassky Cathedral (1808–1816, 1835; 5-tier bell tower, 1864), living room rows (1850–54, 1865–68), and the Chapel of St. Alexander Nevsky (1876–77). The appearance is historical. the city's environment is determined mainly by merchant construction of the 1st third 19 – beginning. 20th centuries: permanent houses and estates (Chernov, Stakheev, I. N. Kamashev-Sredny, etc.), civil buildings. institutions (formerly a district school - a women's gymnasium, 1858–60; Merchant Assembly, 1826–34, rebuilt in the 1860s; Fire Department and Police Department, 1878). Kazan-Bogoroditsky women's monastery. (founded in 1856 as a community, since 1868 - a monastery, closed in the 1920s, revived in 1995). Cathedral Mosque “Zhamig” (1992–99, architect F. Sh. Galiev).

Centers of science and culture

Elabuga Institute (branch) of the Kazan Federal University (founded in the late 19th century as the Diocesan Women's School; name and status changed several times; branch status since 2011; current name since 2015), branch of the Kazan Institute of Social and Humanitarian Studies knowledge (2005). Center. b-ka (1896). Elabuga State historical-architectural and artist museum-reserve (1980; current name since 1990), which includes the House-Museum of city native I. I. Shishkin, the House-Museum of M. I. Tsvetaeva, the Museum-Estate of N. A. Durova, the Museum of the History of E . and etc.

Farm

E. is the center of one of the oil-producing regions of Tatarstan; the oil and gas production departments "Prikamneft" (1958; in the structure) and the "Elabuga Drilling Operations Department" (branch "Tatneft-Burenie") are located in the city. There are: (production of bricks, tiles and other clay products), a school furniture factory, food industry enterprises: “Elabuga Meat Canning Plant”, “Alabuga Sote” (drinking milk and dairy products), “Essen Production AG” (mayonnaise, ketchup , sauces, jam, confectionery products).

On the territory of the Alabuga industrial site, 18 km north of the city, there operate the “Production Association “Elabuga Automobile Plant”” (1984, special equipment for the oil and gas industry, road construction, municipal and other types of special equipment) and “Zass Alabuga” (as part of the German Zass; household electrical appliances).

Most of the industrial enterprises are located in the special economic zone “Alabuga” (created in 2006) near the city. Among them, the main place is occupied by enterprises of the mechanical engineering complex and metalworking: Sollers Ford (diesel engines, light commercial vehicles), ST-Alabuga (buses, special equipment), MMK-Coskunoz-Alabuga (steel billets), Coskunoz Alabuga "(metal body parts; both are part of the Turkish Coşkunöz Holding), "Elabuga Battery Plant" (car batteries), "Interskol-Alabuga" (power tools).

The production of petrochemical and chemical products has been developed: thermal insulation materials (Rockwool-Volga), non-woven fabric (Polimatiz), plastic pipes (Design Rus), pipes with polyurethane foam insulation (Smith), plastic tableware (Khukhtamaki Foodservice Alabuga", as part of the Finnish Huhtamaki Group), polymer packaging (Danaflex), construction chemicals (TN-Alabuga), plant protection products (August-Alabuga).

The woodworking and pulp and paper industries are represented (MDF, chipboard and OSB panels) and “Hayat Kimya” (paper sanitary products; both as part of nehtwrjq “Hayat Hoding”), etc.

There are enterprises for the production of building materials "Trakya Glass Rus" (sheet glass), "Automotive Glass Alliance Rus" (automotive glass; both part of the Turkish "Şişecam"), "P-D Tatneft-Alabuga Steklovolokno" (fiberglass and products based on it basis), “Vertical Alabuga” (concrete), etc.

How to get there

You can get to Yelabuga by various transport:

By car. You can get from the capital of Russia to Yelabuga by car along the M7 highway. The distance between it and Moscow is 1043 kilometers - the whole journey will take approximately 15 hours. You can get to the city along the same route from Kazan (208 km, 3 hours), Ufa (322 km, 3.5 hours) and Nizhny Novgorod (500 km, 9 hours). Regional routes from Izhevsk and Naberezhnye Chelny also lead to the destination.
By train. There is no railway station in Elabuga itself, but there is one in Naberezhnye Chelny, from where you can get to your destination by bus. But this method is not the most convenient, since there are few trains to Naberezhnye Chelny - only from Moscow, Krasnodar, Adler, Saratov, Perm and Izhevsk. The best option is to take the train to Kazan, and from there get to the town itself.
By bus. Direct flights to Yelabuga exist only from Kaznya, Ufa, Cheboksary and Perm, as well as the nearest cities of Tatarstan. To get to Yelabuga by bus from other settlements, it is better to first come to Kazan, and from there go to the town itself. The road from Kazan to Yelabuga will take on average three hours, and a ticket will cost 450–550 rubles.
By plane. There is no international airport in the provincial town of Elabuga. There is no air transport here at all, and the nearest air terminal (Begishevo) is located 44 km away - in Nizhnekamsk. You can get here from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Anapa, Nizhny Novgorod, Simferopol and Turkish Antalya. However, it is not possible to get directly from here to Yelabuga. First, you will need to get to Nizhnekamsk or Naberezhnye Chelny, the distance to each of which is about 25 kilometers, and only then take a bus to your destination. You can also fly to Kazan by plane, where flights operate more frequently and from a larger number of cities, and then go to the Eastern Station and transfer to a bus to Yelabuga.
Water. In the warm season (from May to September), a romantic and colorful way to come to Yelabuga appears - by water. River buses departing from Naberezhnye Chelny and Nizhnekamsk arrive in the city. Ticket prices from Nizhnekamsk are 55 rubles, from Naberezhnye Chelny - 65 rubles. And from Kazan and Chistopol to Elabuga, high-speed ships “Meteor” or “Raketa” sail.

Photo gallery: how to get to the city

You can get to Yelabuga along the M7 highway.

The Elabuga bus station building is new, it looks like a glass sailboat, and there is a hotel on the third floor

You can get to Yelabuga from Kazan by Meteor, but only in the warm season

Top 50 elite of Yelabuga: outcome of Emelyanov’s team and Gafurov’s comeback

Entrepreneur Leonid Baryshev still takes first place in the ranking, and this despite the serious losses he has suffered over the past two years Photo: BUSINESS Online

triarchy in Elabuga and PERSONNEL issues

BUSINESS Online publishes the third ranking of the influence of the Elabuga business and political elite.
The list was compiled based on the opinion of experts who assessed its participants on such parameters as the level of formal and informal connections, control over financial resources, business success, fame in the city and beyond, and degree of presence in the media space. The situation in Yelabuga is atypical for cities in the republic. If in Chelny and Nizhnekamsk in similar ratings there is usually a struggle for first place between the first person of the city and the head of the city-forming enterprise, then in Elabuga a representative of a private business, the head of a special economic zone and the mayor are constantly competing in the top three. In the current top 50 at the top of the ranking, the same layout has been preserved.

Leonid Baryshev (1) still takes first place in the ranking , and this despite the serious losses he has suffered over the past couple of years. The liquidation of the Essen chain of stores, the bankruptcy of Optovik and Stroypodryad, as well as subsequent lawsuits with suppliers and contractors do not play into the hands of the “mayonnaise king.”

He does not have such a powerful influence on the city after the departure of Gennady Emelyanov (he is in 14th place in our ranking) from the post of mayor of Yelabuga. However, with the new head of the municipal district, Rustem Nuriev (3) , apparently, Baryshev managed to agree on the division of spheres of influence. Although, according to sources, the businessman initially made a convincing request to remove people from Emelyanov’s team. For the most part, the request was fulfilled - many of the former mayor’s people fled on their own.

Baryshev continues to be a major philanthropist who cares for his hometown: he will help put up a city Christmas tree, or he will invest in the creation of berry and fruit gardens on Shishkinsky Ponds. In addition, the entrepreneur has expanded his lobby in the Elabuga council, where his interests are now represented by five deputies at once, while in the previous convocation there were three.

The helmsman of the country's best SEZ, Timur Shagivaleev (2), also retained his previous position. As a result of the last elections, he became a deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, joining the committee on social policy. The choice of the committee is somewhat strange; it would be more logical to see Shagivaleev sitting on the economics committee. Nevertheless, 57 residents are registered on the territory of the SEZ, of which 33 have operating production facilities, employing about 7 thousand people.

The helmsman of the country's best SEZ, Timur Shagivaleev, also retained his previous position. Following the results of last year’s elections, he became a deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Photo: “BUSINESS Online”

The mayor of Elabuga in our ranking, as already mentioned, is in third position. Experts note that it is still difficult for him to form a team. Ilmir Kamaletdinov left his post . In January of this year, he was transferred to the staff, but, apparently, Kamaletdinov could not work well with the new head. Instead, they appointed the young head of kindergarten No. 35 Landysh Gilyazova , who has no experience in municipal service. The position of deputy head of the district, a key figure in the executive branch, has been vacant for two months now. During the year, three heads of the city executive committee, three directors of the housing and communal services department and two directors of the construction department changed. The turnover is very serious - one cannot help but recall that Emelyanov had similar problems, under which the leaders of the executive committee changed with kaleidoscopic speed.

At the same time, according to some experts, representatives of cities and regions of eastern Tatarstan are becoming noticeable in Yelabuga. Thus, retired lieutenant colonel Ilshat Khalikov , previously worked as deputy chief of police in Agryz. Khalikov’s deputy is a former deputy prosecutor and also his fellow countryman. The municipal unitary enterprise “Department of Improvement and Gardening of the EMR RT” is headed by Fannur Shakirov , also a native of the Agryz region. The attraction to Agryz personnel can only be explained by the fact that Lenar Nurgayanov (15), , is also a native of Agryz and worked as an agro director before moving to Yelabuga. In general, Nureyev’s team is too diverse. Assistant to the head of anti-corruption matters Marcel Faretdinov came from Almetyevsk, where he worked in Tatneft structures. Deputy head of the executive committee for social issues Liliya Yagudina (37) was previously director of the Naberezhnye Chelny branch of KNRTU. Tupolev. Of all the new appointees, only the head of the education department is from Elabuga - Elena Terentyeva Rival Zaripov, who left the department .

Reviews from experts about Nuriev's work are mixed. Some argue that the majority of Yelabuga residents are favorable to him. Others believe that Nuriev has not yet found recognition among the people. To do this, just read social networks, where users ask for the return of Emelyanov and even write satirical epigrams about the current head of the district. After the reform of the executive branch, within the framework of which it was decided to unite the executive committees of the city and district, they began to talk that Nuriev had decided to manage the district without a deputy.

Nureyev is reproached for making promises in large quantities and for wasteful spending of the budget. At the first session of the city and district councils after the elections, the plus chapter included the opening of the new multilingual complex “Adymnar”, the educational project “University School” at school No. 5, the repair of sidewalks and roads, and the planting of trees and flowers. However, Nuriev’s opponents remind that the multilingual complex was knocked out by Emelyanov, and the State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev . Moreover, during its construction and before the opening of the educational institution, several directors changed there. Not everything is clear with the roads either. Thus, the head of the pothole repair brought the wrath of car owners, who complained that it was too long and entire avenues were blocked in the city, although this had never happened before.

However, one can criticize the new head, but his successful activities are evidenced by the fact that Yelabuga district, based on the results of January–August, entered the top 10 municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan in the ranking of socio-economic development, taking 8th place. Last year, Elabuga was in 24th position among 45 districts.

The president and general director of the Sollers-Ford joint venture, Adil Shirinov, is securely in the top five. Photo: BUSINESS Online

mistress of Elabuga history and curator from Kazan Freedom Square

A few words about the changes in the top ten of our ranking. Adil Shirinov (5) firmly settled in the top five . The automaker was recently renamed Sollers-Ford. As Shirinov noted in an interview, Russification of the name is a logical step, because this is a company with its own production in Russia, fully integrated into the Russian economy. In addition, the CEO announced that the level of localization of production will be doubled in the near future. Prior to this, the company announced additional recruitment due to growing demand for Ford Transit commercial vehicles: in July, sales of cargo vans increased by 79%, and market share in the commercial vehicle segment increased to 24.8%. In addition, during the pandemic, Sollers-Ford made large deliveries under government orders - more than 600 ambulances were distributed to 67 regions of the country. However, there is one “but” - so far the company cannot get rid of its factories in Chelny and Vsevolozhsk, which it has put up for sale. In addition, experts consider it necessary to take into account the fact that Shirinov is responsible for the project of the Aurus executive car, which was presented twice at the Victory Parade in Moscow.

Director of the Elabuga Museum-Reserve Gulzada Rudenko, who is already the third head of the municipal district in her post, continues to maintain her considerable influence Photo: “BUSINESS Online”

Director of the Elabuga Museum-Reserve Gulzada Rudenko (7) , who is already the third head of the municipal district in her post, continues to maintain her considerable influence. Following the September elections, she became a deputy of the district council and remains a figure with a key influence on the cultural and tourism agenda of the city. Nuriev, like his predecessors, also listens to her opinion. True, during the pandemic, the flow of tourists decreased greatly, and Elabuga also had to abandon traditional public events, such as the Spasskaya Fair and the Boris Berezovsky . However, cultural life in Elabuga does not die. Experts cite the following statistics: the museum-reserve has a staff of approximately 170 people, while in Elabuga there are only 100–120 municipal employees. The team led by Rudenko determines the cultural background of the city. Remove them and Elabuga will become colorless.

A newcomer to our ranking is Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Tatyana Larionova (6) , permanent curator of the Yelabuga region. This year she especially closely followed the events in the city, helping the new Elabuga owner. At least once a month, or even more often, Larionova visits the area. This year, the deputy’s main attention was drawn to the construction of the Adymnar multilingual complex, which the Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan diligently promoted.

A newcomer to our ranking is Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Tatyana Larionova (left), permanent curator of the Yelabuga district Photo: “BUSINESS Online”

In the top ten of this year’s ranking, our experts included the rector of KFU and another former mayor of Yelabuga, Ilshat Gafurov (4) , placing him in a very high position. They believe that after Emelyanov left the Federation Council, Gafurov’s influence began to be felt more strongly in Yelabuga. And this despite the fact that Gafurov has not been in Yelabuga for 10 years. Under him, the district town not only crossed the thousand-year mark, but also became a major industrial center - largely thanks to the development of the Alabuga SEZ. In addition, Gafurov and his team managed to attract the attention of tourists to the city, returning Elabuga to its colorful appearance of merchant times. Of course, there were miscalculations, but in general, Gafurov’s contribution to the development of the city cannot be overestimated. Let us note that the orbit of influence of the KFU rector’s team still includes a number of business structures, for example, Elabuga Food Processing Plant CJSC, Elabuga Shopping Center, Avicenna LLC and others, says one of the experts.

Others believe that Gafurov’s influence should be divided into passive and active. The ex-mayor of Yelabuga influences indirectly through a team of his former subordinates, who successfully entered the city and district councils in the last election campaign. Moreover, some have the feeling that in the executive committee, the chair vacated after the departure of the deputy head of the district Zulfiya Sungatullina (17) will also be occupied by Gafurov’s creature. In particular, the names of the directors of the Yelabuga Institute of KFU Elena Merzon (16) and the food processing plant Yaroslav Puria (8) .

In the top ten of this year’s ranking, our experts included the rector of KFU and another former mayor of Yelabuga - Ilshat Gafurov Photo: “BUSINESS Online”

IRON LADY OF YELABUGA AND HONORARY CONSUL OF BELARUS

The most significant changes in the ranking occurred partly due to the disagreement of Yemelyanov’s guard with Nuriev’s policies. So, Emelyanov’s right hand, ex-deputy head Sungatullin, immediately lost 7 points. The Iron Lady of Yelabuga gave up her position by writing a letter of resignation, but despite this, she remains an influential person. She is on good terms with Nureyev. They say that the current head of the district favors Sungatullina and is ready to return her to the corridors of power. However, the former deputy head herself will interfere in politics one way or another, only now as a deputy of the district council.

Rumors of an imminent departure lowered the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Chamber Elmira Sadykova (36) . She is the last of the Mohicans - from Emelyanov’s team, she knows all the financial secrets of the executive committee. However, logic dictates that sooner or later Sadykova will leave her post.

The builders who lost their influence were the director of Agropromdorstroy Elabuzhsky Rashit Khabirov (49) and the director of Stroyinvest LLC Sergei Shabalin (50) , who were on the horse under the previous head.

Emelyanov, by the way, still has weight in the city. Experts believe that on principle he does not want to interfere in Elabuga affairs, but he still has personal acquaintances, and, albeit a small one, is still part of the team. In addition, over 10 years, Emelyanov was able to enlist the support of the local business community.

Experts greatly downgraded the rating of Vadim Makheev (30) , his influence in the city was associated only with Essen stores. If there are no shops, there is no influence. Makheev did not particularly interfere in the confrontation between Baryshev and Emelyanov and stayed aloof. Last year, he did not run for the State Council, thus leaving the political field, and in addition, he dropped out of the top 100 business elite of Tatarstan according to BUSINESS Online based on the results of the third quarter.

Experts greatly downgraded Vadim Makheev’s rating; his influence in the city was associated only with Essen stores. Photo: BUSINESS Online

But the general director of TPK MTZ-Tatarstan Konstantin Anisimov (22) added powerfully. There are two reasons for this. During 2021, MTZ-Tatarstan will become a single “entry point” for the products of the Minsk Tractor Plant on the Russian market. All other trading houses in the country will be transformed through the exit of MTZ OJSC from capital. In addition, Anisimov’s rating increased in the eyes of Elabuga residents when he took on the project of restoration of the Belarusian Cultural Center. Being the honorary consul of the Republic of Belarus in the Yelabuga region, Anisimov probably decided that this was a matter of honor for him. The building, which was given over to a new cultural facility, is a cultural heritage site. And like every similar monument, it is a very dilapidated structure that requires investments of more than one million rubles.

Essen MP Roman Esaulov (23) . This is not his first time on the City Council. He is considered a competent deputy who raises issues on the merits and at the same time strives to work for the development of the city.

Continuing the story about the conquest of the Elabuga parliament by Baryshev’s team, it is worth saying that two newcomers appeared in our ranking: the director of the trade marketing department of Essen Production AG LLC Adel Abdullina (24) and the deputy for corporate policy Ilshat Shaimuratov (25) . Abdullina worked as a member of the City Council one convocation ago and established herself as a very active people's choice, and Shaimuratov is a permanent deputy and a very well-known person in the city. Experts believe that Baryshev’s team now has ample opportunities to make the necessary decisions in the City Council. However, the “mayonnaise deputies” cannot yet find common ground with Nuriev’s Aznakayevsk-Almetyevsk subordinates.

Another new character in the ranking is the deputy head of the executive committee for social issues and ex-director of the Chelny branch of KNRTU. Tupolev Yagudina, whom we have already mentioned. She was expected to take the place of head of the education department, but at the last moment the chair passed to Terentyeva.

We could not help but include in the updated rating the only representative of the Yutas in Nuriev’s team - Ilnara Gilyazova (40) , replacing Olga Nikitina , who went to work at the Ministry of Construction of the Republic of Tatarstan. Let us remember that Nikitina worked in Yelabuga for four years, and before that she was the chief architect of Chelny. Little is known about Gilyazova yet. The main front of her work before leaving for Yelabuga was the implementation of the republican program “Our Yard”.

Coronavirus has promoted the head of the territorial department of Rospotrebnadzor in Yelabuga, Roza Salikhova, to the list of influential people Photo: gorolabuga.rf

Vladimir Urzhumtsev (43) , who headed the Elabuga Electric Networks, moved to Elabuga from the Directorate of Facilities under Construction in the Nizhnekamsk Energy District, and before that he headed the Nizhnekamsk Electric Networks. Let us note that before this, the main Elabuga electrician was Eduard Sharonov , who, after leaving Elabuga, headed a similar service in Chelny and became a deputy of the city council of the motor city. With him, Urzhumtsev went to the same kindergarten at an early age, studied at the same school, and since 1995, at the same time, went through all stages of work in the network service.

The coronavirus has promoted the head of the territorial department of Rospotrebnadzor in Yelabuga, Roza Salikhova (33), . She came to Tatarstan from the Namangan region of Uzbekistan, where she also worked as the head of the food hygiene department of the state sanitary and epidemiological surveillance center. She was appointed Sanitary Doctor of Elabuga two years ago from Chelny, where she was Ilgizar Bariev’s .

New to the ranking - Vladimir Alin (44) - director. The production of insecticides for agriculture opened in the SEZ last year. The investor of the plant was Alexandra Uskova from Chernogolovka near Moscow, who invested 4 billion rubles in it.

In addition, experts recommended that the permanent director of the Elabuga Polytechnic College, Svetlana Sokolova (42) , which she has led since 1995, be included in the top 50. The college produces personnel for the city’s industrial enterprises and SEZ resident companies. In addition, Sokolova has been the head of the executive committee of the Elabuga local branch of the United Russia party for many years, which also gives her considerable political weight.

Rival Zaripov, who headed the district education department for 10 years, left, like many of his colleagues on the executive committee Photo: BUSINESS Online

WHERE DID YOU GO?

At the end of the review, let’s talk about those dropped from the list. These are again officials from Emelyanov’s time. Rival Zaripov , who headed the district education department for 10 years, left, like many of his colleagues on the executive committee. They say that Zaripov found a place for himself in the PTS, which repairs heating networks of budgetary institutions.

Amir Zakirov left the post of head of the Department of Improvement and Gardening , however, he didn’t even have to manage this structure for a long time - only six months.

Former editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Evening of Elabuga” Anna Ivanova left for Kaliningrad, where she now works at the Baltic Federal University. Amir Galeev , general director and owner of Euroalyansstroy LLC, lost his contracting opportunities Experts say other contractors are now favored by local authorities.

Experts also excluded from the rating the director of the plant for the production of isoprene monomer NKNK, Maxim Shuisky , who until the fall of this year headed JSC Polymatiz, located in the Alabuga SEZ. The son of the former deputy director of NKNK became a deputy of the Nizhnekamsk City Council. And the general director of Management Company Razdolye LLC, Management Company Greenlandia LLC Fanis Nizametdinov , who became famous for the land scandal, on the contrary, lost his status as a deputy. “Nizametdinov, although a rich man, was influential only because he was friends with Emelyanov,” our interlocutors said about him.

Elabuga judge Zinnur Mullakhmetov's 6-year contract has expired. Instead, a new district judge, Zhanna Nizamova, was included in the ranking Photo: BUSINESS Online

Over the course of the year, there have been personnel changes in the tax office and in the Temple of Themis of Yelabuga. Thus, the head of the district tax office, Almaz Safin, . The case of the chief tax officer of Yelabuga was connected with the case of the son of the chairman of one of the district courts, Ramis Nabiev . He was suspected of involvement in fraud in obtaining funds for the transfer of a bribe. Now the tax office in Yelabuga is headed by Marina Filatova (38) , who took 38th place in the top.

Elabuga judge Zinnur Mullakhmetov's 6-year contract has expired. Instead, a new district judge, Zhanna Nizamova (21), . She graduated from Kazan State University in 1995. From 1985 to 2000, she served in the internal affairs bodies of the Tukaevsky district and Naberezhnye Chelny. From 2000 to 2003 she worked as a magistrate in the Tukaevsky district, then for 14 years in the district court. In 2021, she was appointed deputy chairman of the Chelny City Court, and in May 2021 she became acting. O. chairman when the position was vacated by her boss Rinat Gaifutdinov .

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Our rating is based on the opinions of experts, but does not claim to be completely objective. BUSINESS Online invites readers to express their own opinions regarding the balance of power in Yelabuga in the comments.

Sights of Yelabuga

Due to the fact that Elabuga has existed for more than a thousand years, it can surprise even the most avid travelers with many attractions. A huge number of museum complexes, historical and architectural monuments, remarkable places and religious sites are concentrated here.

Video: Bird's eye view of Yelabuga

Devil's fort

The most important attraction and historical value of Yelabuga is the Devil's Settlement. This is a historical monument protected by UNESCO. The Yelabuga settlement is the remains of the ancestral settlement of the Bulgars, who lived on this territory in the 10th–14th centuries. The settlement was located on the banks of the Tom River. In ancient times there were streets, houses and fortifications here, but to this day only one surviving tower has survived, which has been restored several times. On the territory of the Devil's Settlement, which occupies four hectares, there are also ramparts and ditches, ruins of ancient fortresses and a monument to Ibrahim ben Muhammad.

Of the ancient buildings in the Devil's Settlement, only the corner tower has survived, which is a cylindrical stone hollow building covered with a metal domed roof

The settlement is completely landscaped for tourists: there are comfortable paths, benches for rest, a restaurant, and observation decks from which amazing views of the town and the Kama River open.

You can get to the Devil's Settlement, which is located on the outskirts of Yelabuga, by taking bus route No. 1 (get off at the final stop) or on foot (it will take 35–45 minutes). You can visit the attraction 24 hours a day, admission is free.

Kazanskaya Street

The main tourist street of Yelabuga is Kazanskaya, located in the historical district of the city. There are wide sidewalks for walking. The entire tourist infrastructure of Elabuga is concentrated here: cafes, restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and the main part of the attractions.

It cannot be said that you will happily walk along Kazanskaya Street for hours, like, for example, along Bauman Street in Kazan, but this is the only place in Elabuga where, in addition to the attractions, there is at least some kind of tourist infrastructure

Museums of Elabuga

Despite the small area of the city, there are quite a lot of museums in Elabuga.

Local history complex

The summer of 2007 was marked for Elabuga by the opening of a local history complex, which included:

Museum of the History of the City. This is where you should start your acquaintance with Yelabuga. Here are exhibits that tell about the formation of the city from ancient times to the present day. So, you can get acquainted with archaeological finds, ancient jewelry and clothing, and important documents relating to the settlement. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm, except Monday, which is a day off here. The cost of visiting for an adult is 200 rubles, for a schoolchild - 100 rubles, and for a preschooler admission is free.
Museum-theater "Tavern". This is a merchant's house in which the atmosphere of life of merchants of the 19th and 20th centuries has been restored. Here you can not only view antiques and antique furniture, but also dine in the spirit of a bygone era. Opening hours: Monday - closed, Tuesday from 9:00 to 18:00, Wednesday - Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. The entrance is free.
Pets' corner. Representatives of the local fauna live on its territory, with whom visitors can get to know each other better: pet, feed and care for them.
Workshops. Here every tourist can try himself as a craftsman: carve a figurine from wood or mold it from clay.

In 2007, a local history complex opened in Yelabuga

The entire complex is located in a rare building built in the 19th century, at 9 Gassara Street.

Museum-Estate of Nadezhda Durova

The house-museum is dedicated to Russia's first female officer. She took part in the First World War, and after the end of the battles she took up writing. In the house where the museum is located, Durova wrote her book “Notes of a Cavalry Maiden.” The interior of the estate is stylized as the beginning of the 19th century.

The museum-estate of Nadezhda Durova is dedicated to Russia's first female officer

Location of the museum: Moskovskaya street, house 123. The route of any city bus passes here, except numbers 1 and 12. The museum is open every day from 9:00 to 18:00, except Mondays. A ticket for adults will cost 100 rubles, school-age children will cost 50 rubles, and preschoolers will be able to enter for free.

Shishkin Memorial Complex

The complex is dedicated to Ivan Shishkin, an outstanding painter who was born and spent his childhood and youth in Yelabuga. These include a house museum, a monument, an art gallery and a park.

The house-museum is located in a two-story estate where the artist’s family lived. The interior has been completely restored and looks the same as it did during the painter’s lifetime. Here you can find a dining room, two living rooms, his father’s office and Shishkin’s workshop. In two rooms of the mansion there is an art gallery, which displays original paintings by the artist. Going out onto the veranda of the house, you can enjoy the view of the Shishkinsky Ponds park, which was developed by the artist’s father, but then his work was abandoned. In 2007, the park was restored and opened to tourists. Here you can find gazebos, ponds, fountains, bridges and benches. The Spasskaya Fair is held in this place every year. There is also a monument to Ivan Shishkin in Elabuga, erected in front of the art school named after him.

The house museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00 every day except Monday. Entrance: from 100 to 200 rubles. The complex can be found on Naberezhnaya Street, 12. To get to it, you need to take bus No. 1 and get off at the “Shishkinskie Prudy” stop.

Photo gallery: complex dedicated to Shishkin

The Shishkin Museum is located in the house where the painter spent his childhood

In two halls of the house-museum there is an art gallery with original paintings and graphic works of Ivan Ivanovich

The monument to Shishkin is located in front of the art school

The Shishkin Museum recreates the decor of a traditional merchant's house of the 19th century - the period of the artist's life

Shishkinsky Ponds Park was founded by the painter’s father

Bekhterev Museum

The institution is unique, as it still remains the only museum dedicated to county medicine. It is named after Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev, a famous academician, neurologist, psychologist and physiologist, who was born in the Yelabuga region. The museum has been operating since 2007, and is located in the building where the zemstvo hospital was located in the 19th century.

The Bekhterev Museum is unique in that it is the only museum telling about the history of county medicine

The museum exhibition is presented in the form of a pharmacy, a healer's house, a county doctor's office, an operating room, a children's ward and a department for the mentally ill. One of the five rooms of the complex is dedicated to illuminating the life and work of Bekhterev himself. An interesting fact is that excursions in the museum are led by a person appearing in the guise of a zemstvo doctor. In addition to studying the history of the development of medicine, here you can drink tea brewed with medicinal herbs, measure your blood pressure, and find out your height and weight.

One of the museum halls displays the external decoration of an ancient operating room.

The museum is located on Neftyanikov Avenue, 111. It is open every day from 9:00 to 18:00, except Mondays. Ticket - from 50 rubles. up to 100 rub.

Memorial complex of Marina Tsvetaeva

Many attractions in the town are dedicated to Marina Tsvetaeva. It was in Yelabuga that she gave up her life by committing suicide. Marina Ivanovna was buried in a local cemetery, but the exact location of the grave is unknown, but there is still a tombstone. The memorial complex of the poetess Tsvetaeva, organized in Elabuga, includes:

Literary Museum. Here you can get acquainted with facts from the life of the poetess, as well as her creative activities. The exhibits of the museum were Tsvetaeva’s personal belongings, including a lock of her hair, teaspoons, copies of letters, writing papers, her daughter’s powder compact, and a German dish. Address: st. Kazanskaya, 61. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays. Ticket price is 100 rubles.
House-museum. The wooden building where Tsvetaeva spent her last days of life became a house in memory of the poetess. She moved here at the beginning of August 1941, but already on the 31st she committed suicide. The house recreates the atmosphere and life of those times. Some exhibits are personal belongings of the poetess and her relatives. The most interesting thing is Marina Tsvetaeva’s notebook, which was found in her apron after the tragedy. Museum address: st. Malaya Pokrovskaya, 20. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00. Ticket price - 150 rubles.
Portomoynya Museum. The establishment is located in a building that previously housed a laundry, which Marina Tsvetaeva visited during her lifetime, as she lived in the house opposite. The museum contains buckets, laundry baskets, washboards, etc. This place is interesting not only as a memory of the poetess, but also as a history museum, where you can get acquainted with how the washing process took place a century ago. The museum is closed on Monday; on all other days you can visit it from 9:00 to 18:00, paying 100 rubles for entry. Location: st. Malaya Pokrovskaya, house 9.
Library. The fund of this part of the complex contains five thousand documents, which are the works of both the poetess herself and her contemporaries. Also here you can find documentaries and programs dedicated to Marina Ivanovna. Evenings dedicated to her work are often held in the reading rooms and fireplace. A tour of the museum will cost you 50 rubles. You can visit it any day except Monday, from 9:00 to 17:00. The library is located on Kazanskaya Street at number 59.
Church of the Intercession. It was built from 1806 to 1820 on the site of a wooden church, which was the first Orthodox cathedral in this area. This is one of the main churches of Yelabuga - it was here that the funeral service was held for the poetess Marina Tsvetaeva. Address: st. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, building 42.
Cafe "Silver Age". The establishment is one of the most popular in Elabuga and is located near the Tsvetaeva Literary Museum on Kazanskaya Street, at 68b.
Memorial plate at the Peter and Paul Cemetery. It is located on the outskirts of Yelabuga, where bus routes No. 7, 13, 14 and 15 lead. The slab is installed in the part of the cemetery where the poetess is buried. Every year on the last day of summer, hundreds of fans of her work come here. They bring flowers and read poetry. The cemetery is open every day and admission is free.

Photo gallery: Tsvetaeva memorial complex

Marina Tsvetaeva spent her last days in Yelabuga

Intercession Cathedral - the first Orthodox church in Yelabuga

The Portomoina Museum tells the story of the history of ancient laundries

The memorial plate at the Peter and Paul Cemetery is installed on the side where Tsvetaeva is buried

Spassky Cathedral

The cathedral is the architectural symbol of the city. The building dates back to the beginning of the 19th century and has a classical style. This is a white stone, five-domed temple, which houses a seventy-meter bell tower. The first bell that was installed in the temple was cast by the grandfather of the artist Ivan Shishkin. Every visitor to the church can climb the bell tower by leaving a small monetary donation.

Spassky Cathedral is the main architectural symbol of Yelabuga

The temple is located on Naberezhnaya Street, 14.

Jamig Mosque

This is a modern building from the late 20th century. The mosque stands on the highest point in the city, has the richest decoration and is the main Muslim sanctuary of Yelabuga. There is a large glass chandelier on the ceiling, which weighs 500 kg. There are 27 emerald-colored Tajik carpets on the floor. The minaret is located at an altitude of 57 meters.

Jamig - the main mosque of Yelabuga

The mosque is located on Mira Avenue, building 2.

Kazan-Bogoroditsky Monastery

The monastery was founded in 1868, but some sources claim that it appeared even earlier - in 1850. Initially, the monastery was a small monastery, but later it became more and more large-scale. Later, more than three hundred nuns lived here, making candles, sewing, painting, and caring for the garden and wildlife. However, in the 20s of the twentieth century, the monastery was closed and all the buildings were destroyed. It was restored only in 1995.

The Kazan-Bogoroditsky Monastery was restored in 1995

Monastery address: st. Gorky, 119a.

Parks of Yelabuga

When going to Yelabuga, be sure to visit one of the parks:

Bugulma, located nearby, presented the city with a gift in honor of its millennium - the Lantern Park. It is located not too far from Kazanskaya Street and displays all kinds of street lamps;

Lantern Park - a gift to Elabuga from Bugulma
In the 19th century, the Alexander Garden was founded in the name of Tsar Alexander II. Today it is completely ennobled: there are paved paths, wrought-iron benches, fountains and stages on which every year the Descendants’ Ball is held, welcoming ancestors from the families of merchants who founded the city of Elabuga. Location - Kazanskaya street;

The Alexander Garden of Yelabuga was founded in honor of the coronation of Alexander II
in front of the Devil's Settlement there is a square “1000th anniversary of Yelabuga”. Apple trees and flowers grow in it, decorative benches are installed, and there is also an observation deck.

The “1000th anniversary of Yelabuga” square was opened in honor of the city’s millennium

Video: getting to know the most interesting sights of Yelabuga

Elabuga

Video: Yelabuga from above

Basic moments

The symbol of the city is the Tower of the Yelabuga settlement
. The historical center of Yelabuga is perhaps the best ensemble of a district town in Russia, distinguished by its amazing integrity and preservation.

On the southwestern outskirts of the modern city is the Elabuga (Chertovo) settlement - a fortified medieval settlement of the Bulgars, Kazan Tatars. Here in 1552, after the capture of Kazan, the Trinity Monastery was founded, which gave the foundation to the city. In the 17th century, the monastery was renamed Trekhsvyatsky, and in 1613 it was lowered from Yelabuga Mountain to the bank of the Tanayka River, then in 1707 the village and the monastery were surrounded by an earthen rampart, that is, they turned into a city. In 1780, by decree of Catherine II, the village of Trekhsvyatskoye became a district town and received a new name - Yelabuga.

Attractions

The Devil's Settlement is the only remnant of an ancient city of its kind that has survived from the times of ancient Volga Bulgaria. The fortress ramparts and ditches have been preserved here, but the main attraction of the settlement is the ruins of the Cathedral Mosque built in the 11th century. The mosque itself was preserved only at the foundation level, but there were five fortress towers around it. One of them has survived completely - the tower of the Devil's Settlement - the most beautiful and memorable place in Yelabuga.

Interesting examples of wooden architecture on the outskirts of the county town. Also among the most memorable buildings in Elabuga is a wooden fire tower (on a stone base). Elabuga churches deserve attention, for example, the Cathedral of the Savior Not Made by Hands, consecrated in 1821.

The house where Marina Tsvetaeva committed suicide in 1941

Marina Tsvetaeva, one of the most prominent figures in Silver Age literature, was evacuated to Yelabuga in August 1941. She lived in the city for only 11 days and on August 31, unable to withstand life’s circumstances, she committed suicide. There is a cultural center named after her here.

Ivan Shishkin, a landscape artist, on the contrary, was born in Yelabuga and spent his entire childhood and youth. The Shishkin Museum includes a house museum, an art gallery and a monument, which are located in the most picturesque place of the Elabuga district - on Naberezhnaya Street. The art gallery displays one of the artist's largest collections.

In addition, here you should definitely visit the “facade” of the current city: Memory Square with a memorial in honor of those killed in the Great Patriotic War and the adjacent Naberezhnaya Street. It offers a beautiful view of the Kama floodplain and the Devil's settlement with a tower on top.

Not far from the city is the Ananyinsky burial ground (8-3 centuries BC), opened in 1855 and marking the beginning of the definition of an entire era. Collections from the burial ground, which number more than 1,500 items, not counting fragments of vessels and beads, are kept in many museums not only in Russia, but also abroad.

Kupecheskaya Elabuga, st. Embankment, on the right is the bell tower of the Spassky Cathedral

Museums of Elabuga

Elabuga State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve (Gassara St. 9; opening hours: 10:00-17:00, closed on Monday and the last Thursday of each month). Currently, on the territory of the museum-reserve there are more than 200 monuments of history, architecture, urban planning and decorative arts.

Mosque in Yelabuga

Museum of Local Lore of Yelabuga (Naberezhnaya St. 11; opening hours: 9:00-17:00, closed on Monday and the last Thursday of each month). The museum has an exhibition “Under the City Coat of Arms”, which is based on objects of Ananino culture, fragments of ceramics from the Bulgar period (12-14 centuries), weapons of the peasant war of 1773-1774, clothing and national jewelry of the Tatars, Russians, Udmurts, and Maris. The museum contains religious objects of Christians and Muslims, household items and tools telling about crafts in our region, furniture of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, products of industrial and chemical factories of the Ushkov dynasty, as well as theatrical accessories, musical instruments, photographs of famous people whose names are associated with the city.

Museum-Estate of N. A. Durova (Moskovskaya St. 123; opening hours: 9:00-17:00, weekends - Monday and the last Thursday of each month). The estate museum is located in the memorial house where the heroine of the Patriotic War of 1812 lived the last years of her life. The exhibition tells about the life of N. Durova. The museum displays military costumes of the regiments in which N. Durova served, as well as samples of weapons. Of particular interest is the correspondence between N. Durova and A. S. Pushkin and archival materials.

Memorial House-Museum of I. I. Shishkin (Naberezhnaya St. 12; opening hours: 10:00-18:00, closed on Monday). This is the only museum in the country dedicated to the famous landscape painter. Visitors find themselves in the atmosphere of Russian merchant life of the 19th century, in which Shishkin spent his childhood and youth. The museum's exposition consists of a memorial department and an art gallery. On the second floor there is the artist’s room and his workshop.

st. Spasskaya - in the center is the Spassky Cathedral

st. Gassara

st. Kazanskaya

st. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya

Fairs and festivals

The Spasskaya Fair, whose roots go back to the 19th century, is held annually in Yelabuga. The fair presents exclusively handmade products by craftsmen from different parts of Russia. In addition, the fair attracts tourists with performances by folklore groups, performers and puppeteers, as well as phaeton rides through the old quarters of the city.

The Bell Ringing Festival is also of interest to tourists: for example, in 2007, the administration of the Yelabuga region purchased 12 bells and a mobile belfry for the Spassky Cathedral in the city. From now on, during 3 festival days, residents of Elabuga and tourists can enjoy the ringing of bells.

How to get there

Getting to Yelabuga is quite difficult. The nearest railway station is Naberezhnye Chelny (one train per day, the journey takes 22 hours), from where minibuses and city buses go to Yelabuga.

The nearest airport is Begishevo (located near Naberezhnye Chelny), from there by bus to Naberezhnye Chelny or Nizhnekamsk - then by bus or minibus. You can also fly to Kazan International Airport, and from there by bus or taxi to Yelabuga.

It is more convenient to take a bus from Kazan or Izhevsk (the journey takes 4 hours), where trains from Moscow run more often.

The most romantic and picturesque way to get to Yelabuga is by boat on the Kama River, stopping under a steep ravine at the “Devil’s” settlement. In addition to tourist routes, pleasure boats from Nizhnekamsk call at the Elabuga pier, from which it takes a leisurely 15 minutes along the river to Elabuga. In addition, high-speed ships such as “Meteor” and “Raketa” sail from Chistopol and Kazan. The only drawback is that this type of transport is seasonal.

What to see at different times of the year

Elabuga captivates at any time of the year. To feel comfortable in the city, you need to take into account that it is located in the middle zone of the Russian Federation with typical climatic conditions. Therefore, if you do not like heat or severe frosts, then the most comfortable weather for you will be in late spring or early autumn.

Winter Elabuga

A trip at this time is a great opportunity to remember your childhood, because you can ride a sled down the hills located near the Devil's Settlement or on the Shishkinsky Ponds. And from December 15 to 24, Elabuga is immersed in history - the theatrical performance “Fun of a Merchant Town” takes place here.

In winter in Yelabuga you can go down the slides at Shishkinsky Ponds

Elabuga in the spring months

In March, you can take part in the Maslenitsa festivities held at Shishkinsky Ponds. They don’t forget ancient traditions here, so during the celebration they serve pancakes, ride “troikas” and, of course, burn an effigy of Winter.

In April, the Poetry Festival is held here, which is dedicated to the work of Gabdulla Tukay. In May, Elabuga celebrates Victory Day and also hosts the international film festival “Colors of Life”.

Elabuga in summer

The beginning of June will be marked for Yelabuga, as well as for the whole of Tatarstan, with a national holiday called Sabantuy. Here you can attend a theatrical performance, folk games or a competition.

At the end of July - beginning of August you can visit the All-Russian Spasskaya Fair, as well as the Bell Ringing Festival. And on August 31, the town remembers the poetess Marina Tsvetaeva - they read poems, perform songs and romances.

Spasskaya Fair is a big holiday for Yelabuga

In the autumn season the city is especially poetic and beautiful. This time is suitable for leisurely walks and exploring local attractions.

Where to go with a child

Tourists with children should visit the Devil's Settlement, because the child will be interested in climbing the towers, exploring the ruins, and also exploring the city from the observation deck. No less exciting will be a visit to a living corner in the local history complex, Shishkinsky Ponds or the city embankment. You can go on rides in the Cheburashka park. However, the child will be most delighted by the fairy-tale “Far Away Kingdom”, located in the Nizhnyaya Kama Nature Reserve, which is located in Maly Bor. Here the child will be able to follow a magical fairy tale path, meet Baba Yaga, Koshchei and other heroes of Russian folklore. In addition, in the Far Away Kingdom you can rent scooters and bicycles, ride a horse, visit a mini-zoo, and buy souvenirs.

“Far Away Kingdom” is a fairy-tale town in Yelabuga, created especially for children

“The Far Away Kingdom” is located 12 kilometers from Elabuga, in the Nizhnyaya Kama National Park, highway M7, Maly Bor, 5. Entrance ticket - 600 rubles.

What to visit in one day

If you arrived in Elabuga for just one day, then you should start exploring the city from Kazanskaya Street. Here is a memorial complex dedicated to the poetess Tsvetaeva, which can be explored in an hour and a half. Then go to Spasskaya Street, go down the embankment to the Spassky Cathedral, and go up to the bell tower. Nearby is the Tavern Museum-Theater, where you can dine in an environment stylized as merchant life in the 19th century.

After refreshing yourself, head to the embankment, visit the Shishkin House-Museum, and then Shishkinsky Ponds. From there, go to the Devil's fort: along the way you will come across a spring - this is where the staircase leading to the fort itself begins. It will take an hour or even two to look around here.

You can restore your strength on the terrace of the Gorodishche restaurant, which is located nearby - on Millennium Square. Finally, go to the Alexander Garden, where you can take a leisurely walk and then visit the monument and grave of cavalrywoman Durova.

Every year the Alexander Garden hosts the Ball of Descendants of Merchant Families

Stay tips

If you are planning a trip for more than one day, choose a hotel to stay in advance, as well as places where you can eat and buy everything you need.

Where to stay

There is not a large selection of hotels in Elabuga. And since there is no competition, housing prices are not the lowest. It is difficult to find both luxury accommodation and budget rooms. Mostly two-star hotels are located in the city. One of these is the Hyatt Hotel, located on Naberezhnye Chelny Highway, which is not too close to the center of Yelabuga. But this does not play a special role, because the city itself is small.

If you want to live in the historical part of Yelabuga, then you can choose one of the following options:

ALABUGA CITY HOTEL. Address: Kazanskaya street, building 4a. The price for accommodation for two people starts from 3.5 thousand rubles. per day;
hotel and restaurant complex "Shishkin". Address: Govorova street, building 4. Price for a double room - from 2 thousand rubles. per day;
mini-hotel Blackberry. Address: Kazanskaya street, building 30. Room price for two persons - from 3 thousand rubles. per day.

ALABUGA CITY HOTEL is located on the central street of Elabuga.
In addition, you can stay at the Belaya Dacha recreation center, which is located on the banks of the Kama in the cleanest area of the city. It offers accommodation in two-story houses equipped with everything necessary. Room rates start from 6,500 rubles per day.

What souvenirs to bring

Souvenirs in Elabuga should be purchased in art salons located at the following addresses:

st. Kazanskaya, 22;
st. Gassara, 8.

There you will find a wide variety of figurines and decorative elements with the inscription “Elabuga”. In addition, you can make a gift for your loved ones with your own hands by contacting the museum workshop. If your trip to Yelabuga coincides with the Spasskaya Fair, then finding a great souvenir will be very easy.

In Yelabuga, tourists can make their own souvenirs for their loved ones

From Yelabuga, as from any city in the Republic of Tatarstan, it is customary to bring a sweet gift - chak-chak, which is sold in every grocery store.

Chak-chak - national Tatar delicacy

How safe is it in Yelabuga?

Elabuga is a quiet provincial town. Here you can walk all night long without fear of any danger. However, it is calm in the evenings only in the historical part of Yelabuga. New areas where the working class population live are often filled with drunken and aggressive groups that can frighten visitors.

How to get to Yelabuga

There are three ways to get to Yelabuga:

on a personal car,
by bus,
with excursion,
with a cruise.

The first method, of course, is the most optimal; you do not depend on anyone and manage your time as you please.

But I’ll tell you how to get to Yelabuga by bus

The first thing I discovered in the bus schedule in Yelabuga is that they all go to a stop with the mysterious name “Turn”. This signaled, at a minimum, that if we didn’t see the bus station, it was a stop on the highway, which didn’t suit me much. But there were also flights on the schedule whose final destination was listed as “Bus Station,” which was a little consoling. Needless to say, the Internet, as usual, knew nothing about the schedule of return flights from Elabuga to Kazan. This is a common story, which is why I don’t like traveling around Russia: the number of surprises here is simply unlimited.

In Kazan, at the bus station, they sold me a ticket for the morning flight to the Elabuga bus station, which made me very happy, and I decided that on the day of departure I would torture the drivers, what kind of “turn” is this, where is it located, and how can we go back to Kazan the same day.

On the day of departure, many surprises awaited us. We learned:

that we were going to Yelabuga together (no one else got into our minibus), the bus driver told me everything else,
that the turn stop is on the ring road near two gas stations,
that he will take us literally “around the corner” and we will transfer to another bus,
that the bus station in Yelabuga has long been gone (in the sense that it doesn’t work), and that no one will take us there - we’ll only get to “Povorot”,
We will be taken back to Kazan by kind people who are involved in transportation (I am solemnly presented with a business card with phone numbers), we need to call them and book seats on the return flight.

To say that I was in slight shock is to say nothing. But by this time our broken-down bus had arrived at the Kamala Theater, where we changed into a luxurious seven-seater foreign car. Within 10 minutes our car was filled with passengers and we were off. At one of the stops we were visited by a “dispatcher” who collected money from passengers, distributed checks to those who paid in advance, and returned 100 rubles “by taxi” to us at the request of the driver (I think my square eyes played a role in response to the statement that no one will take us to the bus station).

Download route maps for the cities of Tatarstan and Kazan

During the trip, from the conversations of passengers, I learned that this transport company has an application, which I successfully downloaded in the hope of watching return flights. The application stated that there were simply no flights for today. When I asked what it was, was it really not our destiny to return to Kazan today, the passengers laughed and said that there was no need to worry - you just had to call and everything would be fine.

At the first stop, I called the operator and booked two seats, although not for the time I wanted - all the evening flights were full. And the application was useful to me: I used it to pay for my order at a discount. So the problem of returning to Kazan from Yelabuga was solved, albeit imperfectly.

The "Turn" problem remains. This is what this “stop” looks like. Elabuga stela and two gas stations. This is where they drop you off and this is where they take you back.

The problem of getting to the city center is easily solved with the help of Yandex Taxi. So if you want to go to Yelabuga by bus from Kazan, you need to take care of seats in advance (the bus travels along the route Naberezhnye Chelny - Kazan, and there may simply not be seats). I don’t want to advertise these transportation figures, so if you need contacts, write to the site’s support service, I’ll give you all the logins and passwords.

If you don’t want to play these exciting transport games, just go to Yelabuga on a tour ( details here ) or on a cruise.

What else to read about Tatarstan and Kazan
Route around Tatarstan Kazan in 1 day Kazan in 3 days Kazan City Bus Where to eat deliciously in Kazan Souvenirs from Kazan Where to stay in Kazan Public transport Kazan Elabuga Chistopol Sviyazhsk Bolgar Raifa Monastery Laishevo and the Kama Sea Semruk Verkhniy Uslon and Makaryevsky Monastery

Excursion from Kazan to Elabuga | Apartments in Russia

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Excursions from Kazan to another city | TOURS to Kazan | Cruises on the Kama (to Elabuga)