The capital of Tatarstan is a unique city: national traditions and modernity are successfully combined here. This is exactly what the Palace of Farmers in Kazan, a newly built building, illustrates. This building does not leave indifferent any of the tourists: someone responds enthusiastically, arguing that the remake successfully complements the Kremlin ensemble located nearby; someone swears, saying that the Palace violates and spoils everything that is possible. Be that as it may, the complex has become a popular place not only among guests of the city, but also among local residents. Photo shoots of the newlyweds are held here, concerts are organized on the square in front of the building. And it's nice to just sit and relax on the square.
Construction history
Historically, the poor built their shacks on the banks of the Kazanka: the flooded place did not attract the rich. Over time, only dilapidated wooden houses, partially rotten, and neglected gardens remained here. But at the same time (by the beginning of the 2000s) this coast became attractive for construction investments due to its proximity to the historical center. Modern technologies have made it possible to erect buildings on the marshy shore.
It was decided to place the palace on the site of demolished dilapidated houses in the historical center of Kazan, the Vakhitovsky district. The designers proposed to place the building at the foot of a natural hill: this is how it is possible to erect a monumental structure without introducing dissonance into the Kremlin ensemble. The construction started in 2008. The money (2.2 billion rubles) was allocated by the budget of Tatarstan. The amount is sufficient for the design organization to fully implement the plan in a short time.
The work was carried out for 2 years: the construction was not frozen for a single day. The solemn presentation of the constructed palace took place on the day of the city: August 30, 2011. The idea of the designers was a success: the new building of the city is not only functional, but has also become one of the places that tourists and citizens actively visit.
Leonid Gornik graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Kazan Civil Engineering Institute in 1982. At the time of the announcement of the competition, he was the chief architect of Antika LLC. The development of the project took 30 days. At the same time, the team spent 12 days on the project itself, and the rest of the time they prepared for the presentation: they created 3D models, built a layout. Leonid Gornik noted the enthusiasm of his employees.
The author and leader of the project made a bet that new forms should prevail in urban architecture: they will make the appearance of cities more interesting and original. Gornik believes that true classics, beautiful, complex and attractive, should be returned to the building, and not outdated classicism that has bothered everyone. But not everyone made such a non-standard decision: Leonid Gornik notes that without the personal support of the President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, the project could not have won.
Palace today
Today the Palace is a place beloved by Kazan citizens and visited by guests of Tatarstan. The building is favorably located: it is located on the north side of the Kremlin, it is unusual in terms of architectural design. This is part of a guided tour of the city at night. During a sightseeing tour of Kazan, the Palace is also shown to guests. Newlyweds after the wedding come to him to be photographed. Townspeople and tourists rest on the benches located on the square. On the Day of the City, a gala concert is held in front of the building with the participation of local and invited groups.
The city authorities have taken care of tourists: inside the building there is a restaurant serving national cuisine. Hungry guests can relax and have a bite to eat. We can say that the idea of Leonid Gornik justified itself: the Palace is a unique place in Kazan. At the same time, the building bears the main functional load: the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan, the Veterinary Committee and related structures are located here.
Architecture
Although Leonid Gornik insists that the project is a returned classic, it is not easy to determine the style of the building. The author took as a basis the provisions described by the medieval architect Giacomo da Vignola.
Opinions on the style of the building differ:
- Some city planners insist that the building embodies baroque traditions.
- Others argue that this is typical eclecticism.
- Still others say that the building complies with the rules of combining classicism and empire.
- Still others call the style of construction a beauzare (a combination of baroque and renaissance).
The building is rather unusual:
- The central element of the structure is a tree made of bronze. It is inscribed in an arch. It is a symbol of fertility and constant rebirth. There are no leaves on the branches, but in the dark the tree is illuminated by green lamps. The height of the element is 20 meters.
- The central dome is openwork. It repeats the outlines of the Tatar cap, which only royalty had the right to wear. The light directed at the tree passes beautifully through the holes and dissipates in the sky. The dome is topped with a spire. The end point is at a height of 48 m from ground level.
- The building is located at the foot of the hill, the height of which is 15 meters. Therefore, the designers managed to organically correlate the 4 floors of the building with the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin.
- Two wings in the dark are illuminated with white lamps. White light blends beautifully with green.
- On the facade of each wing are rearing horses. The domes are guarded from the sides by winged leopards.
The building is faced with white stone. According to experts, the bulk of the allocated funds went to the rich decoration of the facade.
Interior
Inside the building is decorated rather modestly. Available and cheap materials went to the finish. But even from them, the designers made an interesting interior. True, an ordinary tourist will not be able to see it: the office building is guarded.
Controversy and criticism
There is no consensus on the construction. In the press and on Internet portals, Kazan residents and guests argue about whether it was necessary to start construction:
- Some local historians claim that dilapidated houses and neglected gardens were of historical importance: they conveyed the national flavor. Their destruction is barbaric.
- To resettle residents from demolished premises, comfortable houses were built on the outskirts of the city. Not everyone was satisfied by changing the center to a remote area.
- Many are confused by the high price and pomposity of the Palace of Farmers. The wits joke and call the office building the Landowners' Palace.
- Some tourists consider the building monstrous, they say that its presence spoils the ensemble of the Kremlin, a monument listed in the UNESCO catalog.
- And others consider the building organic and beautiful. Kazan citizens and tourists willingly visit the object, take pictures against the backdrop of the building.
Be that as it may, the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan does not leave anyone indifferent.
Interesting Facts
The building is quite new, they do not stop talking about it. There are many legends around the Palace of Farmers:
- Back in 1940, on the site of the Palace of Farmers, there were wooden houses, a dirty square and a small market. The population is quite motley, mostly poor.
- Experts believe that construction went faster if the designers did not make additions and changes to the project.
- Leonid Gornik doubted that it would be technically possible to make an openwork dome wrapped in a spiral. 3D design helped to solve an unusual problem.
- Particular difficulty was caused by the installation of a tree made of bronze. It was made and brought in parts, and connected on the spot. The structural elements had to match exactly: the work turned out to be painstaking.
- Some see an imitation of the Parisian Petit Palais and at the same time the Vienna Hofburg.
- The palace had already been roofed when the question of its liquidation was raised. The reason was a violation of building rules near a specially protected monument: the Kazan Kremlin. The problem was considered in Moscow. Result: The office building was successfully completed.
- The design project for the adjacent territory was created by Antika LLC. This made it possible to maintain a single style.
- The Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan is located in a rich palace: such office buildings are rare in the world.
Leonid Gornik believes that in order to create projects based on simple classics, you need to sincerely love it. Then luck will surely come.
Where is it located and how to get there
Address of the Palace of Farmers: Russia, Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, st. Fedoseevskaya d 36. You can walk here from the metro station “Kremlevskaya”. By land transport it is easy to get by buses: 22, 28, 89 to “Baturina Street” or 28a, 83 to the stop “Fedoseevskaya Street”.