Sights of Kazan: overview of interesting places, what to see, where to go, photos

• August 19, 2018
• Attractions
• Irina Chesnokova

About sixty minutes by plane from the capital, on the banks of the Volga, lies an unusual city that combines the cultures of East and West, in which people of different religions coexist and worship gods. We are talking about Kazan, a city with a history of more than ten centuries. It is not surprising that the main attractions of Kazan are almost as old as it is.

White Tower and white walls of the Kremlin

The exact date of the construction of the Kazan Kremlin is unknown; all that is known is that at the time of the attack of Ivan the Terrible’s troops on the Kazan Khanate, the Kremlin was functioning and could accommodate thirty thousand people. The strategically convenient location on the banks of the Kazanka River determined the centuries-old history of the Kremlin as a center of trade, administration and defense of the state - the Kazan Principality under the Golden Horde, the independent Kazan Khanate before its conquest and inclusion in Rus', then the Kazan Governorate, the Tatar Autonomous Republic, and now the Republic of Tatarstan.

Above in the photo is a landmark of Kazan - the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin complex. The white walls originate from the Spasskaya Tower and form the perimeter of the Kremlin, 1.8 kilometers long.

Other iconic sights of Kazan are comfortably located on the territory of the Kremlin: the Kul-Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral, the Syuyumbike Tower, the residence of the President of the Republic, individual ministries and departments, as well as museums:

• natural history of Tatarstan;
• history of statehood of the Tatar people;
• Islamic culture;
• Cannon Yard, etc.

The Kremlin territory is located in the city center and is free to visit around the clock, and at night the buildings inside the Kremlin walls look magical thanks to the lighting.

Kazan

History of Kazan

Recent excavations carried out on the territory of Kazan State University have shown that people began to settle in these places back in the Stone Age.
It is also known that already in the 3rd century BC. e. Finno-Ugric tribes appeared in the Middle Volga region - the distant ancestors of the peoples inhabiting northeastern Europe today. In the 10th-11th centuries, Bulgarian Turkic tribes migrated to these lands from the Northern Black Sea region and the Northern Caucasus. They settled on the left bank of the Volga, where they founded a state known as Volga Bulgaria. It was from this time that the history of Kazan began, built as a fortress city to protect the northern borders of the Bulgarian state. There are at least two dozen versions about the origin of the city’s name. But, as the most probable, two stand out, related to the terrain where it is located and its geographical location. They suggest that Kazan got its name from one of two Turkic words “kazan” (“cauldron”, “pit”) or “kash-an” (“border, edge”).

Kazan in the 18th century, engraving by F. Denis Ne

For centuries, Kazan was at the epicenter of historical events that transformed it from an ordinary border fortress into an influential, wealthy city. After the fall of Volga Bulgaria under the onslaught of Mongol-Tatar troops in 1236 and the annexation of this land to the Ulus of Jochi, better known as the Golden Horde, Kazan gradually assumed the role of the economic and political center of the region.

In 1438, during the collapse of the Golden Horde, the city was captured by the overthrown Golden Horde khan Ulug-Muhammad, marking the beginning of the existence of the independent Kazan Khanate, which owned vast territories. The Khanate had close economic ties with the Russian lands, but the agreements concluded were constantly violated by military actions: the khans raided the Russian principalities, and in response, the Russian armies ravaged their lands. This turbulent era ended in 1552, when an army of 150,000 led by Ivan the Terrible took Kazan by storm.

Kazan at the beginning of the 20th century

By order of the tsar, the Kazan Tatars were evicted outside the walls of the settlement, and entire settlements began to resettle the Russian people into the deserted city. The king also ordered the best craftsmen to be sent here to rebuild the city destroyed by the fighting.

Until the 17th century, Kazan, justifying its strategic position, lived the life of a military city: patrols replaced each other on its fortress walls, bridges were raised at night. But, as the borders of the Russian state moved to the East, Kazan lost its military significance, gradually turning into a large administrative and commercial city. In 1708, it became the capital of the Kazan province, and until the revolution of 1917 it was the commercial, trading, cultural and educational center of the Volga region.

Monument-chapel in honor of the capture of Kazan. 1894

Dmitrievsky Gate of the Kazan Kremlin in 1912

River School in Admiralteyskaya Sloboda. 1917

Third Mountain Street in 1936

Dostoevsky Street in 1960

Decembrist Street 1986

In the 30s of the 20th century, Kazan entered the era of industrialization, which was accompanied by the expansion of the city's borders and an increase in its population. Today more than a million people live in Kazan. These are mainly Russians and Tatars; Chuvash, Mari, and Bashkirs have also lived here for a long time.

Kuibyshev Square in 1989

Sights of Kazan

Traveling around Kazan is an exciting and educational activity. You can go on a bus tour accompanied by an audio guide or explore the city on your own to leisurely explore its many architectural and cultural attractions, wander through the ancient streets, and sit in one of the cozy restaurants serving national cuisine. If you choose the second option, be sure to get a map or use a navigator. Kazan is a large city, the territory is conventionally divided into two parts: historical and modern. The ancient quarters are located in the central, Vakhitovsky district. It is here that the pride of the Republic of Tatarstan is located - the Kazan Kremlin, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, the pedestrian streets of Bauman and Kremlevskaya, beloved by tourists, old mosques and Orthodox churches, theaters and museums.

A modern city with high-rise buildings and shopping and entertainment centers is located on the opposite bank of the Kazanka. It is connected to the historical center by the Millennium Bridge and three dams.

Millennium Bridge in Kazan

Kazan from above

Kazan Kremlin

Tourists usually begin their acquaintance with Kazan with an excursion to the Kazan Kremlin. This grandiose historical and architectural complex spreads over an area of ​​1,500 hectares and includes monuments from the 12th to 20th centuries. Typically, a sightseeing tour of the Kazan Kremlin lasts about an hour and a half, but to thoroughly explore all its sights, you will need to spend at least a whole day here.

Kazan Kremlin

The Kremlin was supposedly founded in the 10th century. At first it served as an outpost of the northern borders of Volga Bulgaria, and then became the center of the Kazan Khanate. In 1552, during the storming of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible, many of the stronghold's buildings were razed to the ground. During the restoration work that began immediately after the conquest of Kazan, the territory of the Kremlin was significantly expanded; instead of wooden defensive structures, stone ones were erected.

Today, at the entrance to the Kremlin, guests are greeted by the Spasskaya Tower, then the South-West, Bezymyannaya and Preobrazhenskaya towers open to the eye. Several more watchtowers are well preserved, and of some only the foundations remain.

Spasskaya Tower of the Kazan Kremlin

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

The brightest pearl in the ensemble of the Kazan Kremlin is the Annunciation Cathedral, the oldest building of the citadel. This magnificent church, built in the 16th century, was the cathedral church of the Kazan diocese for several centuries, until the 1917 revolution.

Among the oldest monuments of the Kremlin are the Palace Church, which today has become the Republican Historical Museum, and the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Later buildings include the Governor's Palace, the Bishop's House, the Artillery (or Cannon) Yard, and the Junker School, where an exhibition was opened in 2005, where exhibits from the St. Petersburg Hermitage are displayed, and vernissages of contemporary artists are also held.

Palace Church

View of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery from Bauman Street

Governor's Palace

Bishop's House

Cannon Yard

Junker School

Syuyumbike Tower in Kazan

But historians are still arguing about when to date the construction of the Syuyumbike tower. This 58 m high structure, which is considered one of the architectural symbols of Kazan, is one of the “leaning towers”, as it has a pronounced vertical slope. It is located on a hill, from where a panoramic view of the Volga opens, which allows it to be called a guard, or sentinel, structure.

In the appearance of Syuyumbike, motifs of Tatar and Russian architecture of the 14th-17th centuries are intertwined. Its design clearly resembles the Borovitskaya and Spasskaya towers of the Moscow Kremlin, but some details and design contain oriental elements. It is assumed that the lower tiers of the tower could have been built back in the Khan’s period, but it is only documented that by the beginning of the 18th century the structure already stood on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin.

Within the walls of the citadel there are traces of buildings erected in the era preceding the conquest of the city by Russian troops: the ruins of the Khan's palace, discovered in 2000 during archaeological excavations, and the ruins of the mausoleum where the rulers were buried.

The main mosque of Tatarstan, Kul-Sharif, is located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. This is one of the largest Muslim temples in Europe, which is part of a large complex, which, in addition to the mosque, includes a museum, administrative buildings, a library, a publishing house, and a room for marriage ceremonies - nikah.

Kul Sharif Mosque

Kul Sharif Mosque inside

Kul Sharif is designed for 1,500 people, and the square in front of it can accommodate up to 10,000 people. Construction lasted from 1996 to 2005, the project was a recreation of the legendary mosque that stood on this territory during the time of the Kazan Khanate. True, what the ancient mosque, which had the status of a religious and educational center of the Middle Volga region, looked like is not known for certain, since it was destroyed during the assault on Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. When developing the architectural project, the ancient traditions of Tatar architecture and national symbols were taken into account. The luxurious interiors of the Kul Sharif mosque are made in accordance with 16th century technologies: alabaster, wood and stone were processed by hand. Granite, marble, serpentine, and onyx were used for the exterior decoration of the building itself.

As in ancient times, the Kazan Kremlin is the center of political life: here is the residence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, housed in the building of the Governor's Palace, the Central Election Commission, the Arbitration Court, and municipal government bodies.

On the territory of the Kremlin there are three observation platforms, from where magnificent views open up to the opposite bank of the Kazanka River, where tall modern buildings are built, and to the nearby architectural and historical sights of the city, among which the magnificent Peter and Paul Cathedral stands out.

Kazan Kremlin from above

Tainitskaya tower of the Kazan Kremlin

After sunset, when the iconic sights of Kazan take on an enchanting appearance thanks to spectacular lighting, a walk through the Kremlin seems especially romantic. If you want to get here in the evening, head towards the Spasskaya Tower. The entrance through its gates to the Kazan Kremlin is open around the clock.

You can enter the citadel through the gates of the Tainitskaya Tower, but they are open from 8:00 to 18:00 (October 1 - April 30), and from 8:00 to 22:00 (May 1 - September 30). There is no need to pay to enter the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, but if you want to visit the museums located here, you will have to buy separate tickets costing from 80 to 200 rubles.

Bauman Street

Sculpture of Zilant on Millennium Square in Kazan
Not far from the Kazan Kremlin is Millennium Square, where all major city holidays take place. From there, in the direction of the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, the pedestrian Bauman Street stretches - a favorite walking place for townspeople and tourists. On both sides there are shops, cafes, and restaurants. Street concerts take place here, artists hone their skills, and there is a lively trade in souvenirs.

Walking along this ancient street, the same age as the Kazan Kremlin, you can admire the original monuments and beautiful buildings of the pre-revolutionary era.

Bauman street in Kazan

St. Nicholas Cathedral

At the very beginning of the street is the St. Nicholas Cathedral, which represents an entire architectural complex, which includes buildings from the 17th-19th centuries. Nearby, on the spot where the ruins of the famous Kazan Hotel stood for a long time, the Kazan Compound residential complex is located. The facade of the building, erected in the 19th century in the style of late classicism, was preserved, and today one can get an idea of ​​what the hotel looked like, where such famous people as Vladimir Mayakovsky, Leon Trotsky, Maxim Gorky, Alexei Tolstoy stayed.

Next to the hotel there is a shopping and entertainment center. Its facade, made in the architectural tradition of the 19th century, organically fits into the architectural frame of the street.

Here you will see two interesting modern attractions: a bronze copy of the carriage presented by the authorities of Kazan to Empress Catherine II, who visited the city, and a monument to the Cat of Kazan - a sculptural personification of the cats that the residents of Kazan presented to the queen to hunt the mice that were bothering her in the Winter Palace.

Catherine II's carriage on Bauman Street

Kazan cat

Bell tower on Bauman street in Kazan

On Bauman Street there is the Avenue of Stars, where the names of famous representatives of the cultural sphere of the Republic of Tatarstan are engraved on gilded slabs, and the “Zero Meridian” is a stone-made indicator of the distance from the center of Kazan to other cities on the planet.

The architectural dominant of Bauman Street is the 70-meter red brick bell tower, amazingly decorated with geometric patterns. It was erected in the 19th century, and before the revolution it was the tallest building in the city. The bell tower is located a short distance from the Epiphany Cathedral, a magnificent sky-blue structure built in the Russian Baroque style. Near the temple there is a monument to Fyodor Chaliapin. A native of Kazan, he was baptized within the walls of the Epiphany Cathedral and sang in the church choir for some time.

Kremlevskaya street

Another historical street of Kazan, Kremlevskaya, runs parallel to Bauman Street. If the first is called “Kazan Arbat”, then the second can be compared with Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg, the buildings located here look so aristocratic. One of them is the Alexander Passage, an architectural masterpiece of the 19th century. It was built as an apartment building and was famous for the luxury of its interiors. Next to it there is another beautiful building of the Chernoyarovsky passage, and not far away is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, its appearance reminiscent of a gingerbread house.

Kremlevskaya street

On Kremlevskaya Street there are the National Library and the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan. The museum's collections, located in the luxurious building of the former Gostiny Dvor, contain over 750 thousand exhibits preserving the history and culture of the Russian and Tatar peoples.

Kremlevskaya Street adjoins the Kazan University square, so it is always full of students. In the park itself there is a monument to the most famous student of this institution - V.I. Lenin.

Kazan University

National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan

National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan

Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda

Bauman and Kremlevskaya streets will lead you to the ancient district called Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda. Its history dates back to 1552, when Ivan the Terrible ordered the Tatars to be evicted beyond the territory of the Kremlin settlement, to an area separated from the city by Lake Nizhny Kaban.

Over time, Muslim buildings grew here - mosques, madrassas, then handicraft production and trade were established, and estates of wealthy Tatar merchants appeared. Soon the settlement became one of the richest districts of Kazan. Russian merchants of the first and second guilds, scientists, writers, and doctors moved here.

Today here you can get acquainted with the architecture, traditions and culture of the Tatars, look into one of the national cuisine restaurants, buy original Tatar clothing and original jewelry. In the Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda you will see charming wooden painted houses that carefully preserve the history of the indigenous inhabitants of Kazan, and the mansions of the local bourgeoisie.

It should be said that the construction of mosques was hampered by local authorities, which were influenced by the Orthodox clergy. And only after Catherine II visited Kazan in 1767, the situation changed. Even today the Tatars speak respectfully of “ebi-patsha” (“grandmother queen”), who allowed them to freely practice Islam and build mosques for joint prayers.

Al-Marjani Mosque

The most famous mosque of the Old Tatar Settlement is Al-Marjani. It became the first Muslim temple built of stone after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. Initially, it was called the First Parish, and from the end of the 18th century it began to be called Yunusovskaya, after the name of the industrialist and homeowner Ibrai Yunusov, who contributed significant funds to the construction of the building. The Yunusov family maintained the mosque for a long time. Their mansion, by the way, is also an architectural landmark of the Staro-Tatar Sloboda.

At the end of the 19th century, the mosque was named after the Tatar scientist and educator Shigabutdin Mardzhani, who from 1850 to 1889. was its imam-khatib (head). Its main architectural feature is the minaret, which rises directly from the roof. Outside and inside, the Al-Marjani mosque is decorated with stucco molding in the form of Tatar ornaments. During the years of Soviet power, it was the only functioning mosque in Kazan.

Chak-chak museum in the house of merchant Vafa Bigaev

In the beautiful house of the Tatar merchant Vafa Bigaev, built at the beginning of the 19th century, today there is a Museum of chak-chak - the most famous Tatar delicacy, which is prepared from dough and honey. In this original museum, you will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of comfort and hospitality of the Tatar home, and during the excursion, which is conducted in an easy, unobtrusive manner, you will learn not only about the intricacies of preparing the main Tatar sweet, but also about the history of the Tatars, their traditions and customs. Most of the museum exhibits date back to the 19th – early 20th centuries.

The tour ends with a tea ceremony with tasting of chak-chak and other oriental sweet delicacies. All kinds of Tatar sweets can be bought on the ground floor in a specialized shop. The museum is open from 10:00 to 20:00. The cost of the excursion is 350 rubles on weekdays and 400 rubles on weekends.

Lake Kaban, which once separated the Staro-Tatar settlement from the Kremlin settlement, is another one of the symbols of Kazan. Associated with it is the legend about the Khan's treasures, according to which, during the storming of the city by Ivan the Terrible, the untold wealth stored in the Khan's treasury was thrown into the lake waters, thus not reaching the Russian Tsar.

Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, view from Lake Nizhny Kaban

Even before the 1917 revolution, the lake was famous for its crystal clear water, there were plenty of fish in it, and townspeople rested on its shores. The development of industry has led to pollution of the reservoir. It remained silted until 1980, when work was carried out to clean up the reservoir.

Today, on the shore of Lake Kaban, there is a Rowing Sports Center, where rowing competitions were held during the 2013 Universiade. Now athletes continue to train here, improving in various types of rowing.

Palace Embankment

Citizens and guests of Kazan love to spend time on Palace Embankment. It is often called Fedoseevsky Park. It is especially pleasant to walk along the embankment of the Kazanka River on warm summer evenings, when the spectacular lighting turns on. Forged benches and illuminated fountains are installed here.

This spacious territory is a modern district of Kazan. By the millennium of the city, an elite cottage community was erected on an abandoned plot of land along the river, where elegant administrative buildings soon sprang up and a large park area was laid out. Today, wedding processions traditionally arrive at the square for photo sessions, and since 2011, a gala concert of the Kazan Autumn opera festival has been held here annually.

Palace Embankment and the Palace of Farmers

The old city and modern districts of Kazan are connected by the elegant Millennium Bridge. Many modern buildings and entertainment complexes have already been built in the Novo-Savinsky district, and construction does not stop here. The most outstanding landmark of this part of the city was the Wedding Palace, which received the name.

The building is a huge stylized cauldron resting on a white stone base. The author of the project, architect Dashi Namdakov, embodied the image of Kazan in his creation, emphasizing that the pillar of the city is the white stone Kremlin, and its spirit is the respectful attitude of the residents of Tatarstan to family values, their tolerance and hospitality, which is personified by the Kazan-chalice.

On the ground floor of the building there is a spacious hall. The design of its interiors tells the story of the centuries-old history of Kazan. The administration is located on the second floor, and on the third there are three marriage registration halls - Golden, Silver and Eastern.

On the fourth floor there is a two-level observation deck, from where you can admire Kazan from a bird's eye view.

Temple of all religions

In the vicinity of Kazan, in the village of Old Arakchino, there is a unique temple that united the main religions of the world under one canopy. Its ensemble includes an Orthodox church, a Muslim mosque, a Jewish synagogue, and a Buddhist pagoda. Construction began in 1992, and the ideological inspirer and author of the project was the artist, architect, sculptor, and public figure Ildar Khanov. After his death, the master's brother and sister continued the business.

Temple of all religions in Kazan

There are no religious services held here. People come here to get acquainted with the religion, history, culture, and traditions of peoples living in different parts of the planet. Today, the Temple of All Religions houses the Egyptian and Catholic halls, the Jesus Christ hall, and the Theater hall. Their interiors are decorated with works of monumental painting and decorative art. Work here continues, but a fire that occurred in April 2021 has slowed down work.

Temple of all religions

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Kazan Kremlin

The Kazan Kremlin is a magnificent building located in the oldest part of the Republic of Tatarstan. He…

Kul Sharif Mosque

The Kul Sharif Mosque, located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, in the western part of this…

Bauman Street

Bauman Street is one of the oldest streets in Kazan, the pride of its residents and a place of pilgrimage for tourists...

Blue lakes in Kazan

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Tower Syuyumbike

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All sights of Kazan

Entertainment

Kazan is ready to receive guests at any time of the year. In summer it rarely gets too hot here; usually in the warmest month, July, the daytime temperature does not exceed +27 °C. In winter, even in the coldest month, January, as a rule, the thermometer does not drop below -14 °C, although, of course, there are exceptions - the night temperature can drop to -30 °C.

Winter in Kazan

In the summer, Kazan's parks are surrounded by greenery, the air is saturated with the aroma of flowering plants, fountains are turned on in city squares, jazz festivals are held on the streets, and there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the beaches.

Beach "Lokomotiv" in Kazan

In the very center of the city, 1 km from the Kremlevskaya metro station, on the banks of the Volga, there is the Lokomotiv beach. Thanks to its convenient location and good infrastructure, it is extremely popular among citizens, which, of course, is reflected in its environmental condition. But this does not stop lovers of sunbathing and swimming, and in hot weather they flock here from all over Kazan.

Those who prefer a more comfortable holiday should go to Riviera Beach. It is part of the infrastructure of the Kazanskaya Riviera hotel and entertainment complex, located on the banks of the Kazanka River. The area of ​​this beach with golden clean sand includes an 80 m long swimming pool, several smaller pools, showers, changing rooms, sports and children's playgrounds. Around the pools there are pizzerias, pancake shops, kebab shops, cafes, and restaurants. In addition to the beach, the complex includes a four-star Riviera hotel, bars, a cinema, a fitness club and a water park, one of the largest in the world.

Riviera Beach

Aquapark

The water park has over 50 attractions, an open summer area, and a spa. There is a pool with artificial waves, a diving pool, and on the Flow Rider water attraction you can feel like a real surfer. The water park's steep slides are for adults who love water activities, and there are safe slopes for children. In addition, one of the water park attractions will allow kids to take part in the assault on a real pirate fort.

The spa area will appeal to all categories of vacationers - both those who decided to undergo wellness treatments and those who are ready to forever relax in the jacuzzi, leisurely sipping light drinks offered by the local bar. There is a Finnish sauna and a Turkish bath, from where you will leave full of strength and energy.

The water park is open from 9:00 to 23:00 on weekdays, and from 8:00 to 23:00 on weekends. The cost of visiting is from 450 rubles, children under 4 years old are admitted free of charge.

Ferris wheel "Around the World"

On the territory of the complex there is a Ferris wheel “Around the World” with a height of 65 meters. You can make an exciting “trip around the world” in 18 minutes, its cost is from 200 rubles for adults and from 100 rubles for children (cheaper on weekdays, more expensive on weekends and holidays). The price also rises in the evening, since at this time you have the chance to enjoy a stunning panorama of the city illuminated by millions of lights.

The Kazan Arena stadium is located not far from the Kazan Riviera. This huge stadium, capable of seating 45,400 spectators, is already ready to host the 2021 FIFA World Cup. In the meantime, football players of the local club “Rubin” train here, matches with their participation are held, and gala concerts are also held.

Kazan Arena Stadium

Tribunes

Guests of the city can not only admire the grandiose building, completely covered with glass, and having the largest media façade in Europe, but also have a great time at its entertainment and sports grounds. On the territory of the complex there is the Pioneer sports club, where you can practice the now fashionable CrossFit, as well as the X-fit fitness club. In a special area you can ride an inflatable sleigh; there are also tracks for go-karts and buggies.

Dinosaur exhibition "Yurkin Park"

The Kazan Arena hosts the country's largest dinosaur exhibition, Yurkin Park, where you will see giant monsters moving and making sounds. Children will have an interesting time in the KidsSpace themed club. Here you can go on an educational one-hour excursion to learn about interesting facts about the history of the structure, and visit places that are usually only accessible to athletes and officials.

In Kazan, it is worth visiting the Palladium restaurant, not only to enjoy excellent dishes, but also to relax in an unusual environment: the restaurant hall is located in the open air, and from its platform there is a view of the stadium stands and the emerald lawn, where various events take place every day. The restaurant has good music and you can dance and sing karaoke here.

A few kilometers from Kazan, dozens of comfortable sanatoriums and tourist centers await tourists. They are located in green pine forests, where the air is piercingly clean and the atmosphere is full of peace.

Recreation center Lebyazhye

Sanatorium Nehama

On the outskirts of the city there are also several fishing grounds, where campsites are set up for those who like to fish. The spring fishing season in the waters of the middle Volga begins in April, the summer season starts in early June, and in winter you can go fishing as soon as the river is reliably covered with ice.

Ski resort "Kazan"

In winter, there are many skating rinks with indoor and outdoor areas in Kazan. The ice rinks of the Sports Palace are very popular among the townspeople; the cost is from 100 rubles for 75 minutes. You can ride for free on the skating rink, which is being built next to the stadium of the Kazan Arena complex.

Fans of skiing and snowboarding can have a good time at the modern ski resort "Kazan", located 35 km from the city.

Cafes and restaurants

Kazan has a huge number of restaurants and cafes, where the entire culinary map of the world is presented, and the chefs scrupulously observe all the subtleties of preparing dishes. The city has many small cafes with original cuisine, hookah bars, tea houses, pancake bars, bistros, where prices are quite affordable. But every tourist, of course, wants to get acquainted with the national Tatar cuisine. In Kazan, traditional dishes are served both in budget establishments, reminiscent of Soviet canteens, and in pretentious ones, but rest assured, the food will be delicious in any case.

Kystyby

Peremyach

Balish

Echpochmak

Katlama

Azu in Tatar

Chuck-chuck

Gubadia

Talkysh Kaleve

The most popular cafes and restaurants among tourists are located on Bauman Street and the adjacent alleys. Quite European-looking cafes, bars, and establishments with a national flavor crowd each other here. The clear favorite among them is the “House of Tea”, located in an old building, opposite the “House of Tatar Cooking”, a very expensive restaurant, noted in all guidebooks as one of the most attractive establishments on Bauman Street.

"House of Tea" in Kazan

The “House of Tea”, or “Auchan”, as the townspeople call it, cannot boast of luxurious furnishings, but after spending 500-700 rubles for two, you will learn what real Tatar cuisine means. You will be treated to magnificent pilaf with lean lamb, the freshest flatbreads with all kinds of fillings, fried pies with juicy meat, rice with duck, and Kazan-style fried peas. The pastries here are excellent, especially those made from multi-layer dough. Desserts are accompanied by aromatic herbal tea.

The local chain “Dobraya Stolovaya” is popular in Kazan. Its establishments do not focus on national cuisine, but the food here is excellent and the prices are low. A full lunch, including first course, second course, pie and tea, will cost 150-200 rubles for two.

Hotels

There are quite a lot of budget hotels in Kazan, two- and three-star, where the cost of accommodation starts from 2,500 rubles per day. You can stay in a hostel for only 500 rubles.

Nice inexpensive hotels with Tatar flavor are located in Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda. Tourists praise the Tatar Estate Hotel (3*). It's clean, cozy and comfortable here. Among its highlights are workshops where they offer cooking and pottery lessons. Cost of living – from 3800 rubles.

Room at the Riviera Hotel

Most four-star and five-star hotels are located in the historical part of Kazan. Among them are “Shalyapin Palace”, “Giuseppe”, “Korston”, “Mirage”. The cost of living in hotels of this level is from 4,000 rubles per room.

The Riviera Hotel (4*), part of the Kazanskaya Riviera entertainment complex, is also popular among city guests. Here you can stay in rooms of different levels of comfort - from 5,600 to 35,000 rubles. Despite the differences in price, all rooms here are elegantly furnished and superbly decorated. The price includes buffet breakfast. Hotel guests have free access to the beach with swimming pools and the water park.

Booking.com

How to get there

You can get to Kazan from different regions of Russia by plane, train, bus and by water. The international airport of the capital of Tatarstan accepts direct flights from most major cities of Russia, including from Moscow (flight time - 1 hour 30 minutes), St. Petersburg (about 2 hours 30 minutes).

You can get from the airport to the city center in half an hour by train (to the main station) or by bus No. 97. The fare starts from 30 rubles. For a taxi you will have to pay from 600 rubles.

Every day trains depart from the Kazansky station in Moscow to the capital of Tatarstan. The Tatarstan express train will take you to Kazan in 10 hours. By choosing another option, you can spend up to 19 hours on the road. Departing to Kazan from St. Petersburg, you will spend about 22 hours on the road.

From Moscow you can get to Kazan by comfortable express bus in 18 hours. The fare is 800 rubles. The journey from St. Petersburg will take at least a day and cost 2,000 rubles.

Cruise ships also travel to Kazan. From Moscow, ships travel to the capital of Tatarstan for 5 days, from St. Petersburg – 7-10 days.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets

New temple of the old religion

Kul-Sharif is a fabulous mosque, built to replace the one destroyed by the troops of Ivan the Terrible during the capture of Kazan. It is named after the imam, who defended himself and died along with his followers in the battle for the city. Only fragmentary information has been preserved about the appearance of the old mosque, so the restored building does not look like an exact copy.

Construction of the most famous landmark in Kazan began ten years before the millennium and pursued partly symbolic goals: the revival of religious traditions among modern Tatars, as well as cooperation between representatives of religious and secular teachings.

The second is especially interesting, since in the Islamic tradition the direction to Mecca plays a key role, where the ends of the crescent moon on the minaret towers face, and thanks to the efforts of astronomers it was determined with an error of 0.1 seconds. The mosque is located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin.

Where to stay?

The capital of Tatarstan is an incredibly beautiful and hospitable city. Don't be surprised if travelers want to stay here for a few days. Therefore, the housing issue is very relevant for tourists. I would like to immediately reassure them, because there are no problems with this in Kazan. The hotel sector of the city, although much inferior to Moscow and St. Petersburg, is very well developed. The establishments will offer you excellent service and affordable prices. But still, experienced people advise booking rooms in advance.

Kazan has luxurious five-star hotels, among which the Korston, Chaliapin Palace Hotel, Mirage, and Giuseppe are very popular. Almost all of them are located near the center of Kazan or its most important attractions. On average, the cost of living in a hotel room (category four or five stars) will cost 4–6 thousand rubles per day.

Numerous hostels, mini-hotels and two- and three-star hotels open their doors to thrifty guests. The cost of an overnight stay in such establishments varies from five thousand to three and a half thousand rubles. And it is also worth noting that most of the hotels in Kazan are advantageously located in its central part.

Old Temple of the New Religion

The capture of Kazan by the troops of the tsar, who professed Orthodoxy, logically led to the construction of a new temple. The wooden building was built in 1552 in three days, and only a decade later it was rebuilt in stone. It is impossible to determine exactly how many times over four and a half centuries the appearance and interior decoration changed - wars, fires, revolutions had a destructive impact on the historical building. Those who shot at the bell towers, destroyed the sacristy, and founded the state archive died long ago, but the temple was invariably revived.

Initially, the landmark of Kazan, where Russian monarchs and cultural figures such as Alexander Pushkin or Sergei Rachmaninov came, where ministers of the Kazan diocese were ordained, was built in the image and likeness of the Assumption Church, which is located in the Moscow Kremlin. The Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin took on its modern appearance after reconstruction, which symbolically ended in the year of the millennium of Kazan.

Azimov Mosque

Everyone calls this mosque the most majestic and beautiful in Kazan. Hundreds of parishioners and city guests come here every day. The Azimov Mosque was built in 1890. At first it was a wooden building, but later the merchant Azimov ordered the wooden building to be demolished and a stone mosque to be erected instead.

During the years of Soviet power, when anti-religious policies were pursued, many religious buildings, including the Azimov Mosque, were closed. After which the building was renovated, and a cinema was opened in it. The only thing that gave away the religious purpose of this place was the minaret.

Local authorities decided to revive the Azimov Mosque only in 1990. And after 2 years it was opened to believers. Over time, the building was completely restored and today we can see the mosque exactly as it was originally.

Temple of all religions

Unlike the two previous attractions of Kazan, which are active temples and where services are held, the Temple of All Religions is of a symbolic nature and is open to visitors only from the outside. Moreover, the temple is only twenty-four years old.

The creator and owner of the land plot under the building is the artist Ildar Khanov. A Muslim by origin, in his youth he studied Christian symbolism in art, and as an adult he became imbued with Indian culture and was inspired by the idea of ​​​​creating the Ecumenical Temple.

The building truly combines elements of Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish temples. Deeply religious people tend to see it as a mockery of religions, but for tourists it is a hymn to globalism, equality and love. The only disadvantage of the art object is its distance from the city center. But it is possible to get to the temple either with a tourist excursion, or by regular bus or train to the Staroye Arakchino station, by car or even by motor boat.

Peter and Paul Cathedral

This is a unique historical monument in the Baroque style, erected in the 18th century. During its existence, all Russian emperors managed to visit it. Among his guests were many famous personalities, including Pushkin, Chaliapin, etc.

The history of the cathedral has many difficult moments. Fires often occurred here, and during the Pugachev uprising, it was almost completely plundered. Parishioners and patrons of the arts, who donated money for restoration work, helped preserve it to this day.

During Soviet times, a planetarium and numerous workshops were opened here. The building was transferred to the church again in 1980.

Among the features of the Peter and Paul Cathedral is a huge iconostasis from the time of Peter I, which has miraculously survived to this day. The walls of the building are decorated with mosaics and stucco.

Government body

When you hear the words “Ministry of Agriculture” or “General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine,” you feel like yawning, because you imagine a dull building from the outside with dimly lit corridors and a flickering lamp inside.

The interior decoration should be judged by employees and visitors of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan. The tourist can only be amazed at the appearance of the palace, the columns and the twenty-meter tree inscribed in the arch of the building, because the Kazan landmark captured in the photo is an ordinary administrative building. The architect created it in the spirit of classicism and empire style, inspired by the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

The Palace of Farmers was built between 2008 and 2010, although its appearance does not betray youth and looks organically opposite the ancient Kremlin walls, decorating the square on the embankment of the Kazanka River.

Tips for tourists

When you come on an excursion to Kazan, use these useful tips:

1. Buy souvenirs at local markets to save money. The Central Market of Kazan is popular among tourists. Here you can buy all kinds of goods at competitive prices.
2. Book your accommodation in advance. On the day of arrival, there may be no vacancies in hotels and hotels.
3. Choose closed clothes in discreet colors for walking around the city. Some residents of Kazan are Muslims who react negatively to provocative appearance.
4. Forget about dietary nutrition during your trip. Let yourself enjoy the amazing Tatar cuisine, which can be tasted in local restaurants.

Another government agency

A special attitude towards the institution of family in the Republic of Tatarstan is dictated by the veneration of traditional family values ​​​​accepted in Islam. It is not surprising that one of the attractions of Kazan, comparable in popularity only to the regional Ministry of Agriculture, was the civil registry office.

in the summer, in addition to administrative functions, it also performs entertainment functions. There is an observation deck on the roof of the building, which is shaped like a bowl. From a height of thirty-two meters there is a view of the Kazan Kremlin and the Volga.

How to get there?

So, you already know what to see in Kazan. Now all that remains is to pack your bags and head to this amazing city. How to get to Kazan? It's very simple. The duration of the journey depends on the starting point and the chosen mode of transport (airplane, bus, train or private vehicle).

The cheapest way to travel from Moscow is to use the railway. The distance between the cities is a little more than eight hundred kilometers. From Belokamennaya the train will reach the capital of Tatarstan in twelve hours. The fastest way is by air, but air tickets cost several times more. If you want to save money, order them in advance. The flight will take only an hour and a half if you choose a direct route. But it should also be taken into account that the Kazan airport is almost thirty kilometers away from the city. But the transport links are excellent, and the road is a wide, modern highway.

If the starting point is the city on the Neva, then it should be noted that there is no direct air connection between it and Kazan. All flights from St. Petersburg must land in Moscow. And the distance between the northern capital and the main city of Tatarstan is one and a half thousand kilometers.

Have a nice trip!

Falling tower

The mystical landmark of Kazan in the Kremlin is the Syuyumbike Tower. Firstly, this tower falls - the deviation from the vertical, although less than that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is almost two meters. Secondly, historians disagree on when the tower was built, and the range of options is five hundred years - from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries! Thirdly, the tower is overgrown with sad legends about its creation, each of which involves death.

According to one legend, the Syuyumbike tower is named after the widow of the khan, who was killed during the capture of the Kazan Khanate by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. The Russian Tsar sought the widow's hand, but she preferred to jump from the tower rather than marry a usurper.

According to the second version of the legend, Syuyumbike built a tower in honor of her deceased husband.

In addition, a gilded ball was installed on the roof of the tower, the purpose of which could not be definitively determined. There is an opinion that the Kazan Chronicles were in the ball. The location and further fate of the chronicles is unknown.

Pedestrian street Bauman

This street is a kind of local “Arbat”. Before the city was conquered by Ivan the Terrible, it was called Nogai, but after that it began to be called Prolomnaya. The street received its modern name in the first half of the last century in honor of one of the Kazan revolutionaries.

In 1986, it was given pedestrian status and a few years later local authorities began seriously to reconstruct and improve it. Thanks to this, today you can see a huge number of historical and architectural monuments, shops and entertainment venues.

Kazan is a unique city with a centuries-old history. Its peculiarity can be called the fact that it managed to unite all the world’s religions and preserve the existing historical, cultural and architectural attractions.

Observation platforms

It’s easy to look at the sights of Kazan or what’s happening around you thanks to the observation platforms scattered throughout the city: two Ferris wheels, two objects on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, one on the pedestrian Bauman Street - these are just the first things that come to mind. The following is a comparative table of observation platforms in the city of Kazan.

Tribute to the Millennium

The city's millennium is a national event that architects could not ignore. There is a bridge across the Kazanka River, construction of which began in 2004. In the center of the structure there is a letter “M”, with which the word “Millennium” and “Menelyk” begin - millennium in English and Tatar. In 2005, the Millennium Park was opened on the embankment of Lake Kaban, the main theme of which was the intersection of the cultures and traditions of East and West, so closely intertwined in Kazan. Between the Kremlin and the Kremlin embankment lies the Millennium Square, which until 2005 was called Yarmarochnaya Square. The square offers a view (the hallmark of the city) of the Kremlin and the Kul-Sharif mosque.

Red Gate

Local residents are accustomed to calling this landmark the Jubilee Arch, built back in the 19th century. Its construction was timed to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the local gunpowder factory.

The red gate is made of red and white bricks. Today the landmark has historical and architectural significance for the city. After all, this is the only thing that remains to this day from the plant itself, which in the past provided the whole of Russia with gunpowder. In 1917, a major fire occurred on its territory, destroying the production premises. By luck, the fire did not hit the huge warehouses, since their explosion would have damaged the entire city.

Travel along the Volga

An attraction located near Kazan is the island city of Sviyazhsk. It’s worth a visit there if only for the boat trip along the Volga, which takes two and a half hours one way. The boat schedule is regular, departing from the Kazan river station. On the island, which was originally used as a military base during the annexation of Kazan, a historical object erected under Ivan the Terrible has been preserved - a wooden church, in the construction of which not a single nail was used. There are a total of five churches, two monasteries on the island, examples of architecture from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Sviyazhsk has a checkered past, with the shadow of a colony for prisoners of war and political prisoners during the Soviet period. The restoration of the island's tourist appearance began in 2007 and continues to this day.

Ushkova's House

Ushkova House
The former mansion of the industrialists Ushkovs (early 20th century) is a wedding gift from chemical magnate Alexei Ushkov to his future wife Zinaida. One of the most beautiful buildings in Kazan was built in the Art Nouveau style with Baroque elements and is distinguished by its elegance and decorativeness.

The main decoration of the mansion is the grotto garden, which can be seen from the huge windows facing the street. Stalactites hang from the ceiling of the grotto, plants grow through decorative stones, and in an aquarium with shells there is a fountain in the shape of a fabulous fish.

Since 1919, the Ushkova House has housed the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan. You can get inside with a guided tour (register on site or by phone).

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City of contrasts

Kazan is at the crossroads of styles, cultures, religions and traditions. In this city, architectural structures made in the Old Tatar style and in the Old Russian, Empire style and Soviet constructivism harmoniously coexist. Representatives of different religions live and work here peacefully, respect family values, smile politely and strive to provide any possible help.

Kazan is an attractive city for tourists, which combines cleanliness, comfort, traditional Tatar cuisine, mild climate and the breadth of the Russian soul. The descriptions and photos of the sights of Kazan presented in the article do not exhaust the list of interesting places, but are a cultural and aesthetic minimum for review when visiting the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan.

National Museum of Tatarstan

The museum was opened to visitors in 1895. Among its exhibitions, a special place is occupied by the private collection of archaeologist Likhachev, who put forward a theory about the origin of the entire Tatar people.

Today, the museum fund includes about 800 thousand unique exhibits that have historical and cultural value not only for Tatarstan, but for the entire country. Among other things, collections of gold jewelry and coins, ancient manuscripts and scrolls, as well as other items found during excavations of the Ananyinsky burial ground are kept here.

The museum is located in the ancient building of Gostiny Dvor, the appearance of which was formed during the 19th century.