Kul-Sharif Mosque in Kazan โ history, photos, descriptions, prices 2021, map
The Kul-Sharif Mosque in Kazan is part of the Kremlin ensemble and at the same time a place where services are performed. In full accordance with tradition, there is a library and the residence of the imam. And the museum invites everyone to get acquainted with the rich exposition. The Cathedral Mosque is a place where not only spiritual, but also secular life boils. Master classes, conferences, lectures are held there. Not only Muslims can visit it, but also believers belonging to other faiths, as well as atheists.
Construction history
Breaking is not building, โ says folk wisdom. The cathedral mosque was destroyed in 1552, and for more than 400 years no one wanted to restore it. And meanwhile, according to the diary notes of the governor Andrey Kurbsky, it was a majestic and beautiful building. He described the mosque in detail before it was destroyed on the orders of Ivan Vasilyevich. In the 18th century, Catherine the Great visited Kazan, where she was greeted with a warm welcome in the Tatar settlement. In the Cloth Sloboda, where the Orthodox lived, the queen was met more modestly.
The ban on the practice of Islam was lifted, the empress allowed the construction of cathedral mosques, but there was no question of restoring the destroyed mosque of the Kazan Kremlin. In Soviet times, the church was excommunicated from the state, the existing mosques were closed, and no one thought to return to the believers what Ivan IV Vasilyevich destroyed. Only after perestroika and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the question arose of restoring the Kremlin mosque. The first President of Tatarstan Shaimiev supported the initiative of the public of Kazan.
In November 1995, he decided to restore the Kremlin Cathedral Mosque. They started raising money for the construction. The Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, responded and promised to allocate funds from the state budget, but this did not happen. At the same time, a competition was announced for the best design of the mosque. The team of architects won: Latypov, Sattarov, Saifullin, Safronov. The diaries of Andrei Kurbsky, which are kept in the state archive, helped them take into account the peculiarities of the historical appearance of the cathedral mosque in the Kremlin.
Over the period from 1996 to 2005, they collected more than 400 million rubles. Individuals and organizations donated. This money was enough to restore the Kremlin Mosque and make it the religious and cultural center of Tatarstan. The first service in the new mosque was held on June 24, 2005. This event is a great gift for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Kazan. The restoration of the mosque is a symbol of the revival of the age-old traditions of Tatarstan.
The constructed complex is more impressive and more significant than the once destroyed structure. The building houses the residence of the imam, there is a library and a Muslim publishing house, services are held in spacious halls. Visits to the mosque and the museum, which has been operating since 2006, are organized for tourists.
Name history
The mosque is named after Imam Seyid Kul-Sharif. This man is a significant person of the era of the collapse of the Kazan Khanate in 1552. Seid Kul-Sharif was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through the line of the latter's grandson, Hussein. He came from the Crimean seids, then served for some time in the Astrakhan Khanate, then returned to Kazan. But the mullah was appointed supreme seid shortly before the fall of the khanate, in October 1551.
Seyid Kul-Sharif was an educated and influential person of his time. Historical documents testify that the Russian princes were in regular contact with him, negotiated and sent rich gifts. When Seyid drove along the street of Kazan, the townspeople greeted him, and the rich Tatars did not hesitate to fall to his chapan. Even the khan dismounted in his presence. Seyid was a creative person: several poems and a poem have survived to this day. Kul-Sharif is a connoisseur of Russian and Tatar history.
He saw how the power of the Moscow principality grew, the army grew stronger, and his state was torn apart by internal contradictions. Seyid is a few of those in power who expected the sad end of the state. The imam saw the real preparations of the Russian princes, assessed the threat to the khanate. He believed that only angels could help the Tatars in an unequal struggle, and there was nowhere to wait for real help.
Together with the Tyumen prince Bibars in 1551, he attempts to force Ivan of Moscow to comply with the terms of the peace treaty of 1550. It is clear that this is only a temporary reprieve, but the diplomats tried to buy time. But the embassy turned out to be unsuccessful: Kul-Sharif and Bibars had to accept the next conditions from Moscow.
Kazan resisted the Russian army for 41 days. The city was defended by 30 thousand soldiers, and the Moscow prince commanded 150 thousand. Seyid Kul-Sharif was the inspirer of the defense: none of the townspeople thought about surrender. The last days there was not a drop of water in the fortress: the scouts of Ivan of Moscow destroyed the water supply.
Finally, of all the defenders, the shakird boys and the imam remained alive. But they defended themselves so bravely that they overwhelmed the Russians. Governor Andrei Kurbsky wrote that the troops entered Kazan, stepping over the corpse of Sharikold. Seid with his troops retreated, fighting, climbed to the roof of the mosque, was stabbed and thrown down. The feat of the legendary Seyid was passed from mouth to mouth. It was also described by the philosopher Marjani. And in honor of the last defender of the state, the restored cathedral mosque in the Kazan Kremlin was named.
Architecture
The mosque is a unique building. The complex consists of:
- 5-storey mosque. The ground floor is given over to the Museum of Islam, services are located on the technical floor. There is a place for ritual washing. On the first floor there is a hall where men pray, and an office of the imam. Women can pray on the second floor, there are also zones for tourists. The advantage of the building: there are separate entrances for women and men.
- Fire department. This is a squat building south of the mosque with a blue roof. They are stylistically related.
- Publishers and a unique library.
8 crescents (that's how many there were at the mosque in the 16th century) mosques are directed to Mecca: orientation was carried out with the help of a satellite. The height of each minaret is 57 m. The central dome rises to 36 m. The profile of the building is presented as an intersection of squares at an angle of 45 degrees: thus, the symbol of Muslims โ the blessing of Allah is recreated. The arches repeat the outlines of nomads' yurts: the first Tatars had such mosques. On the dome, the windows are carved in the shape of a tulip: a symbol of rebirth among the Bulgars.
The tulip is repeated in stained glass windows. The building is faced with light stone, the domes are blue. All this should evoke a feeling of purity, simplicity and purity. The thoughts of those looking at the mosque should be as pure as the building itself. 1.5 thousand Muslims can pray in the hall at the same time. Another 10,000 can be accommodated in front of the mosque: on the tiles that pave the square, places for performing prayers are marked.
Interior
Inside the mosque has a decent decoration. Here you can see:
Serpentine, granite, onyx, marble were used for the work. The prayer carpets were sent by the Iranian government. The Czech crystal chandelier weighs 2 tons. Builders from Turkey worked on the construction of the mosque.
Interesting Facts
A few historical facts from the life of the one whose name the mosque bears:
- During the last embassy of the Imam and Prince Bibars, they offered Ivan of Moscow as a hostage Queen Syuyumbike with her young son Utyamysh-Girey. The royal persons kept at the Moscow court, according to diplomats, were supposed to ensure a lasting peace for Russians and Tatars. The request was rejected, but perhaps it was this historical fact that gave rise to the legend of the suddenly flared passion of the Russian prince for the beautiful regent?
- After serving in the Astrakhan Khanate, Sharif received the additional name Khajitarkhani. Subsequently, he was called an amir, that is, a leader.
- You can get acquainted with the literary works of Kul-Sharif in the collection โLife is cruel, life is beautifulโ, published under the editorship of A. Sharipov in 1997.
The former Kremlin mosque was built in the 13th century, it was called Al-Kabir. The Cathedral Mosque is a new building, but there are already many interesting facts and legends:
- The dome of the mosque resembles a Tatar hat: only royalty had the right to wear it.
- There is an opinion that the Kremlin mosque is the largest in Europe. But this does not correspond to reality: the delusion is generated by the significance of the reconstruction of the structure for the Tatar people.
- It is symbolic that residents of Tatarstan won the project competition. Their competitors were architects from Russia, Lebanon, Turkey.
Today the cathedral mosque is the spiritual center of the Muslims of the Volga region.
Visiting Rules
In order not to offend the feelings of Muslims, when visiting a mosque, you must follow the rules:
At the entrance, all tourists are offered to use free capes, scarves and shoe covers.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The mosque is open for tourists daily from 9.00 to 18.00, on Fridays from 12 to 14 hours break for prayer. From 17.30 the mosque is open only for exits. Admission to the mosque is free, but a ticket is required to visit the Museum of Islam. For adults, the price is 200 rubles, for other categories โ 80 rubles. Visiting exhibitions and master classes are paid separately.
Where is it located and how to get there
The mosque is located at the address: 420111, Russia, Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Kremlin, 13. You can get there by metro to the Kremlevskaya station, then on foot. By buses 6, 15, 35, 75, 29, 74 to the stops โCentral Stadiumโ, โTsUMโ, โPalace of Sportsโ.