Sights of Kazan - 8 interesting monuments

Kazan is one of the largest cities of the Russian Federation, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a city with a thousand-year history. It is located on the left bank of the great Russian river Volga and is famous for its nature and man-made monuments. The most famous sights of Kazan are the Kremlin, the Kul-Sharif mosque, the falling Syuyumbike Tower, the Bogoroditsky Monastery - the place of finding the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Kaban Lake, the Chasha-ZAGS, the Palace of Farmers.

Kazan will not leave indifferent people of any age, tastes and interests. Guests are always welcome here. The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan is popular at any time of the year: in summer the city is warm and sunny, and winters are moderate, without severe frosts.

Families with children in Kazan – the expanse. In summer you can swim in the Volga, and in winter in water parks, there are two of them in the city. The city has zoos, some of which are allowed to pet animals, there is an Oceanarium. In the Astronomical Observatory you can watch the stars, and in the Victory Park you can see an exhibition of military equipment.

If you are going to Kazan for the first time, we advise you to purchase a detailed illustrated guide, download a mobile application with photos and descriptions of the main attractions of Kazan or contact an experienced guide.

Attractions of Kazan - description

Kazan Kremlin

Back in the X century, a small fortress appeared on a hill on the banks of the Kazanka River. Gradually, it expanded and in Khan times occupied the entire top of the hill. The fortress suffered greatly during the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. And the tsar ordered to restore it, sending 200 Pskov master masons. The Kremlin they built became one of the most non-criminal fortresses in medieval Russia. And to this day, the walls and towers of the Kazan Kremlin have preserved white stone masonry of the 16th century.

One of the towers of the Kremlin is called Taynitskaya, as there was a secret underground passage under it in Khan’s times. He led from the Khan's Palace to the banks of the Kazanka River to a source of clean drinking water. It was used by the defenders of the fortress. But soon after the beginning of the siege, Ivan the Terrible learned about this progress and ordered it to be blown up with the help of a subterfuge.

The Kazan Kremlin is a unique complex that combines buildings of various periods: from the 16th century (the Annunciation Cathedral, walls and towers) to the 21st century (the Kul Sharif mosque).

One of the most interesting buildings on the territory of the Kremlin is the falling Syuyumbike Tower. According to the official version, it was built in the late 17th century as a sentry and was named in honor of Queen Syuyumbike - the last ruler of the Kazan Khanate. However, its construction and appearance are shrouded in legends and mysteries. According to legend, Syuyumbike demanded to build the tallest tower in the city in a week (therefore it has 7 tiers), and then jumped off it so as not to marry Ivan the Terrible.

In 2000, the Kazan Kremlin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Currently, the Kazan Kremlin is a museum-reserve, which houses 9 diverse museums, and the workplace of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, and his own grand residence. In addition, on the territory of the Kremlin is the main mosque of Tatarstan – Kul Sharif and one of the three cathedrals of the Kazan diocese – the Annunciation Cathedral.

The Universal Temple or Temple of All Religions

The unique Temple of all religions, which combines the symbols of 7 religions in its architecture and has no analogues in the world, appeared in Kazan thanks to an amazing person Ildar Khanov - an artist, sculptor, healer and public figure. Its construction began in 1994 and continues to this day.

Kazan Family Centre

One of the modern landmark places for residents of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan was the Kazan Family Center. Sculptor Dashi Namdakov built the Palace of Weddings in the form of a huge cauldron decorated in the national style. According to legend, the name of the city of Kazan comes from the word “Kazan”, that is, “cauldron”. Legend has it that once a servant of the Bulgar khan dropped a golden cauldron into the river, with which the khan sent him for water. After that, the Khan called the river Kazanka, and their settlement was called Kazan.

Now this unusual building is one of the most recognizable sights of the city. Thousands of newlyweds come here to consolidate family ties. In summer, an observation deck works on the roof of the building at an altitude of 32 meters.

farmers' palace

The palace of farmers amazes with a mixture of architectural styles of Empire, Classicism, Baroque and Renaissance. In the center of the building is a huge 20-meter bronze tree, which is unusually beautifully illuminated in the evening. In a huge building is the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan.

Happy Childhood Museum

Bauman Street

Bauman pedestrian street itself – Kazan “Arbat”, a popular resting place for citizens and tourists with hotels, museums, restaurants, cafes, shops, fountains, street musicians, artists and original sculptures – for example, a monument to the Cat of Kazan and the carriage of Catherine the Great. On this street there is a 74-meter tower – the bell tower of the Epiphany Church with an observation deck at the top, the building of the National Bank, from which the Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire was taken, the House of Printing, built in the form of an open book and many other interesting objects.

Millennium Bridge

By the 1000th anniversary of Kazan, the largest bridge in the city was opened - the Millenium cable-stayed bridge over the Kazanka River. The pylon of the bridge is made in the form of a huge letter “M”, which is the first letter in the word “millennium” in Latin and Tatar languages.

Monument to the Dragon Zilant

Kazan shooting from a bird's eye view