Kazan

Kazan is the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan as it is a major industrial, commercial and cultural centre and remains the most important centre of Tatar culture. The city has a beautiful citadel which was declared a world heritage site in 2000 also it has many other sites to see such as Sts-Peter-and-Paul’s Cathedral and Marcani Mosque which dates back to the 18th century.

The beginning of Kazan Khanate - competitor of Moscow Russia.

Volga Bolgaria concluded a peace treaty with Kievan Rus in 985 in which the parties pledged: "Not even when a stone floats and hops sink in water will we break this treaty...". Referring to this accord, L. N. Gumilyov, the eminent Russian historian and Turkic scholar, wrote: "Despite the fact that the Slavs had accepted the Christian faith and the (Volga) Turkic people remained Muslim, good relations between the peoples existed for almost two hundred and fifty years, right up to the crushing defeat inflicted by Batu Khan."

The twilight of Volga Bolgaria began in 1236, when its great trading towns were destroyed by the invasion of Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, and the country became a part of the territory of the Golden Horde.

Having warded off the first onslaught of the troops of Genghis Khan in 1223, the state of the Volga Bolgars fell, like many others, in the struggle against the foreign aggressors, those same notorious "Tatars" of the Russian and west European chronicles. Around the middle of the thirteenth century, the population of Volga Bolgaria, afflicted by invasions, plague and drought, began shifting to the north of their country, settling in some places that had long been inhabited.

One of these was the small frontier town on the River Kazanka named Bolgar-el-Dzhadid (New Bolgar) or Kazan, which in Tatar means "cauldron" . According to a popular legend, one of the khans dropped a cauldron in the river here, hence the name "the place of the cauldron".

The Tatar historian Sh. Mardzhani suggests that the name of the city could come from the name of the River Kazanka or from the fact that the hill on which the Kazan Kremlin stands is reminiscent of an upturned cauldron. In either case, the name is appropriate in view of the seething history of Kazan city.

The Bolgar state was finally destroyed in 1415 by the troops of Prince Fyodor Pestroy, and in 1436 Kazan city became the capital of the Kazan Khanate. This was a powerful state within the former boundaries of Volga Bolgaria, inheriting from it the farming and trading population, the folk and intellectual culture, the achievements of science, literature and philosophy. Kazan city, located in an exceptionally favourable position that gave it control over all the trade on the Volga river, soon became a powerful economic and political rival of Moscow city.

Sightseeing in Kazan.

The Kremlin.
Kazan`s most famous site is its Kremlin. Declared a world heritage site in 2000, there is evidence that this area was used as a fortress from as early as the 11th Century. The buildings there today, however, mainly date from the 16th Century. The Annunciation Cathedral dates from 1561-2 and is quite beautiful inside. From about the same time is the famous Suyumbiki Tower, a striking construction 55 meters high and built with a slight lean. Next to the tower is the Governor`s House (completed in 1853), home to the President of Tatarstan.

The white towers and walls of the Kremlin are also very impressive. They were constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The most notable tower is at the entrance to the Kremlin. Construction on the clock-bearing, 45m high Spasskaya Bashnya began in 1555. Also on the grounds of the Kremlin are a number of office buildings housing various government departments and a couple of museums. The National Artist`s Gallery (Open Tue-Thur, Sat, Sun: 10-17; Fri: 10-16, closed Monday) houses some interesting decorative art, paintings, sculptures and jewelry. Entrance costs 50 R ($1.85). Next door is the WWII Memorial Museum which is nothing exciting, but at 15 R ($0.60) entry there is no harm in popping in. The Jewelry Studio (Open 9-18 daily) is also worth a look. Basically it is just a shop selling Tatar style jewelry but there a few exhibition pieces there as well and some of it is quite exquisite. Today the dominant building on the grounds of the Kremlin is the Kul Sharif Mosque. Built to coincide with KazanÕs 1000 year anniversary the new mosque stands on the site of an old mosque of the same name which was destroyed when Moscow conquered Kazan in 1552. The mosque is the largest in Russia, and reputedly also the largest in Europe.
Directions: The Kremlin sits at the beginning of Kremlevskaya Ulitsa (at the Kazanka River end of the street). If you come out of metro Kremlevskaya you will see it immediately.

Musa Jalil Statue.
Just outside the entrance to the Kremlin grounds, in front of the Spasskaya Bashnya (Tower) stands an imposing statue of the famous Tatar poet Musa Jalil. The poet is depicted with his arms tied behind his back and his legs entangled in barbed wire: a tribute to his heroic efforts fighting in WWII, where he ultimately met his end. This spot also offers great views onto the intersection of the Kazan and Volga Rivers.

Kazan State University.
Kazan is renowned for its university which, founded in 1804, beautiful baroque cathedral. Built to commemorate Peter the Great`s visit to Kazan, construction was finished in 1726. Inside it is an extremely ezquisite towering iconostasis, although the interior looks a little washed out. From the top of the steps leading to the main entrance you will have one of the most perfect views of the Kazan skyline possible. The tower-like building next to the Church is actually the Cathedral`s Chapel.

St Peter and Paul`s Cathedral.
St Peter and Paul`s is a massive and absolutely beautiful baroque cathedral. Built to commemorate Peter the Great`s visit to Kazan, construction was finished in 1726. Inside it is equally sumptuous featuring a towering iconostasis, although the interior looks a little washed out. From the top of the steps leading to the main entrance you will have one of the most perfect views of the Kazan skyline possible. The tower-like building next to the church is actually the Cathedral`s Chapel.
Address: Ul. Musy Dzhalily, #21. Open 9-18 daily. Entrance is free.

Baumana Ulitsa.
Kazan`s main street is a huge pedestrian mall to rival MoscowÕs Arbat in length. It has some of the same features as well: fountains, streets artists, a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, interesting lanes on either side holding churches and the like. Of course, though, it is far less tourist oriented and is therefore much more relaxed. At the end of the street (the Tukaya Ploshchad end) stands a statue of Fyodor Shalyapin, who was an opera singer and one of Kazan`s most famous sons. Just on a little bit further is the towering Chapel of the Church of the Epiphany. With this mighty structure blocking your view it would be easy enough to miss the actual golden-domed, light blue coloured Church of the Epiphany which stands just behind it.

Bulak Canal.
In the old days, this canal divided Kazan into two living quarters. To the north-east on the hill was a predominantly Russian area while the south-west, between the canal and the Volga River was where most of the Tatar population lived. The old division can still be seen in that the Orthodox Churches dot the old Russian area while the city`s mosques can be found in the old Tatar area.

Mosques.
Dating from 1867, the small, green Soltan Mosque is probably the most accessible one in the city to visit, outside of the Kul Sharif in the Kremlin. Address: Gabdully Tukaya Ul., #14.
Another one worth a look and only a short distance away is the Nurullah Mosque, which was originally built in 1849.
Address: Moskovskaya Ul., #74/15.

Central Market.
One of many markets like it in Kazan, this is the most accessible and gives you a good idea of the atmosphere. In the main building fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat are for sale as well as some delicious, locally made treats such as fresh honey. A walk around the stalls seeing what is on offer is an experience in itself. Outside the main building the stalls sprawl out onto the streets where all manner of food, household goods, CDs/DVDs and assorted knick-knacks can be bought.
Address: Mezhlauk Ul., #13. Open 8:00-17:00 (closed Mondays).

Beach.
The beach on the north shore of the city. Kazanka River is something special. Notwithstanding the fact that it`s a largely artificial set-up on a river bank, the atmosphere here in summer is so carefree that it is impossible not to be won over. Plus it gives you the chance to swim just near the waters of the mighty Volga. If you visit Kazan in the summer months you should definitely pack a swimsuit.
Directions: Take tram 20 or 21 or marshrutkas 96 or 115 (see transport section) to get across to the north side of the city. The beach is right after the bridge.

Museums.

Museum of 1000 Years of Kazan.
If you only have time to make it to one museum in Kazan it should be this one. Opened in August 2005 as one of many events to coincide with Kazan`s big anniversary, the painstaking effort that has been made in putting this museum together is plainly obvious.

As the name would suggest it follows Kazan`s 1000 year history using artifacts, paintings, poems, clothes, maps, reconstructions of old dwellings and any other conceivable means to put the story together. There are three halls. The first traces Kazan`s first 400 years. The second runs from the start of the 15th Century to the start of the 20th Century and the third covers the Soviet era and the modern city. The museum teaches everything you could want to know about Kazan and the Tatars and is probably the best example of how proud these people are. Unfortunately it`s only in Russian and Tatar. Address: Ploshchad Sultana Galiyeva, #1 (Inside the Kazan National Cultural Center). Tel: 238-3361. Open Tue-Sun: 10-17. Entrance: 30 R, photography pass: 10 R.

National Musem of the Republic of Tatarstan.
It`s the museum the locals will tell you to see but thereÕs nothing really special about it unless you have an interest in Tatar culture or art. Although there are some interesting exhibits which can be admired purely for their aesthetic value. The museum is heavier on arts and crafts than you might usually expect, but is otherwise mainly composed of artifacts from different points in history. The exterior of the beautiful building that houses the museum (built in 1770) is as impressive as the exhibits inside. And to rant a little, the foreigner admission price is ridiculous. If they want to charge more for foreigners they should at least have information about the exhibits in English instead of making them pay more for a diminished experience.
Address: Kremlevskaya Ul., #2 (opposite the entrance to the Kremlin). Tel: 292-7162. Open Tue-Sun: 10-17.
Entrance: students: 20 R, adults 30 R, foreigners 100 R, photography pass 30 R.

The Musa Jalil Apartment Museum.
A small museum devoted to the famous Tatar poet Musa Jalil. This is the apartment where he lived for one year from 1940-41 before leaving for the war. He never returned home after being captured and held in a prisoner of war camp for several years, from where he managed to organize a resistance movement against the Nazis. But ultimately he was found out and killed. The apartment consists of four rooms which he shared with another family. The kitchen and bathroom were communal. It was here, in Jalil`s preserved study/bedroom that he wrote the poem ”Pismonets” and the opera “Altynchech”. As part of the entry fee you get a brief tour (in Russian and Tatar) but are mainly left to read the information hung on the walls yourself (also only in Russian and Tatar). Most of his works are for sale here, but unfortunately they don`t stock any of the English translations, which are easy enough to buy on the streets in Moscow.
Address: Ul. Gorkogo, #17 (entrance from Ul. Gogolya). Tel. 230-5048. Website: www.tatar.museum.ru/jalil/. Open Mon-Sat 10-17.
Entry: 15 R adults, 12 R students.

Kazan State University History Museum.
This museum, which is set in an impressive room, mainly has memorabilia of the university`s most famous students and staff. There are a lot of things to do with or owned by the famous mathematician Nikolai Lobachevsky. The personal effects of various other academics, who probably mean something to somebody, also crowd the room. Directions: Kremlevskaya Ul., #18 (inside the main university building on the second floor). Tel: 231-8189. Open Mon-Fri: 10-17.
Entrance is free.

Wax Museum
This is a very small museum, housing maybe only 25 figures arranged in a circle. Among the notables are Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Katherine II, Pope John Paul II, Castro, Yeltsin, Gorbachev, Putin, Gandhi, Princess Diana and the triumvirate of Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill.
Address: Baumana Ul., #70 (entrance from the courtyard just behind McDonalds). Tel: 251-9272. Open 10-20 daily. Entrance: 60 R adults, 40 R students, 30 R children.