{"id":672368,"date":"2022-09-01T09:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T06:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=672368"},"modified":"2022-02-03T22:01:21","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T19:01:21","slug":"what-to-see-in-kazan-in-2-days-on-your-own-route-photo-description-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/what-to-see-in-kazan-in-2-days-on-your-own-route-photo-description-map\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Kazan in 2 days on your own – route, photo, description, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kazan – archaic and modern, burning oriental spices and coldness of the western type of architecture. Religion, culture and mentality of both the East and the West are clearly manifested in the appearance of this unpredictable city, in whose history<\/a> there were too many tragedies and victories. The city was repeatedly rebuilt by architects of various nationalities, supplemented and destroyed. What to see in Kazan in two days? Let's try to figure this out.<\/p>\n

1 day<\/h2>\n

Kazanka divides the city into two parts – on one side there are futuristic monuments of modernity made of glass and concrete, on the other – the Kremlin, which began to be built back in the twelfth century, and its accompanying buildings. There are many sights<\/a> on the territory of the Kremlin. It is worth allocating a whole day to visit them.<\/p>\n

Kul Sharif Mosque<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the main buildings located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin is the Kul-Sharif mosque. The snow-white building, which is crowned with piercing blue domes, instantly attracts attention.<\/p>\n

The mosque has an unusual shape – two squares intersect, forming one of the most recognizable signs of the Muslim world – “blessing of Allah.” This architectural complex has a really long history.<\/p>\n

The origins of the construction of the mosque should be sought in the time of the conquest of the Kazan Khanate by Ivan the Terrible, when there was a large-scale collapse of the former mosque of the Khanate. It was on its ancient foundation that the Kul-Sharif mosque was subsequently erected, which today is one of the largest Muslim temples in the European region.<\/p>\n

Today the mosque is open to tour<\/a>ists. It is worth climbing the viewing balconies, which offer an excellent view of the historical Kazan in its authentic atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Tower Syuyumbike<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The brightest symbol is the Syuyumbike Tower, which has not only a purely historical significance, but in some way a mythological one – many urban legends are associated with the Syuyumbike Tower.<\/p>\n

Too many secrets have gathered around this tower – even the approximate date of the construction of this architectural monument raises questions. And everyone calls something newer the reason for the construction: someone says that Princess Syuyumbike built it for her adored husband, someone that Ivan the Terrible built it for Syuyumbike, but she jumped out of the window of the seventh floor.<\/p>\n

In addition, this tower belongs to the so-called falling towers, which got their name due to the presence of a rather large angle of inclination. In addition, the Syuyumbike tower is located on a hill and is an excellent observation platform – Kazanka and Volga are literally under the feet of the beholder.<\/p>\n

Blagoveshchensky cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The Annunciation Cathedral is part of the Kazan Kremlin complex. This cathedral has both historical and architectural significance.<\/p>\n

He belongs to the sixteenth century, being the brightest representative of his era. In addition, it was built in the spirit of the Pskov architectural school, although it is located very far from its immediate center.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this style could not be preserved in its pure form, as the cathedral was rebuilt more than once. At the moment, the Annunciation Cathedral may be of interest not only to pilgrims, but also to tourists, as it is here that a large-scale collection of books created in the seventeenth and partly eighteenth centuries is preserved. Also, a unique relic is kept here – the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, created in the sixteenth century.<\/p>\n

Hermitage-Kazan<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This exhibition hall is located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. At the end of the twentieth century, it became the first representation of the St. Petersburg<\/a> Hermitage.<\/p>\n

Initially, it did not have a permanent exhibition – exhibits from the main museum<\/a> were simply exhibited in its halls, but today it has turned into a full-scale, independent museum, which houses collections of graphics, paintings, jewelry and historical artifacts.<\/p>\n

One of the most valuable exhibits is considered to be a unique vessel, which in shape resembles the notorious Aladdin's lamp. This vessel dates from the ninth century. In addition to the exhibition halls, lecture halls for thematic seminars are open here. Visitors can also participate in historical reconstructions.<\/p>\n

Alexandrovsky passage<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The real decoration of the Kremlin street is the Alexander Passage, named after the merchant who paid for its construction at the end of the nineteenth century.<\/p>\n

This monumental building has a sprawling courtyard system, and rounded corners are crowned with domes. There are clocks in every corner. According to legend, they slowed down with the death of the first owner. In the design there are elements of classicism, renaissance and baroque.<\/p>\n

It was here that glass ceilings and electric candelabra appeared almost for the first time. But with the undoubted beauty and harmony, the fate of this building was not so rosy: a printing house<\/a>, a failed museum, a hotel<\/a>, a cinema – a string of owners and a sad curtain – the building was recognized as unprofitable. Reconstruction is currently underway.<\/p>\n

Chernoyarovsky Passage<\/h3>\n

This passage is a brilliant example of Art Nouveau, which became extremely popular at the beginning of the twentieth century. This building reflects many of its features, as well as elements of eclecticism. This building is considered the second architectural monument of this type. It is noteworthy that the Chernoyarovsky passage is not an original building – it was built on the basis of two existing buildings.<\/p>\n

They were supposed to unite with the help of a large-scale all-metal balcony and stairs, which, unfortunately, have not been preserved. People interested in Masonic teachings may be surprised to find bright Masonic symbols in the design, located right on the facade.<\/p>\n

Peter and Paul Cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the main architectural dominants of the historical center is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which was erected at the beginning of the eighteenth century after the arrival of Peter the Great in the city. The unique coloring of the Naryshkin baroque has been preserved in its appearance.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the unique design details, this cathedral does not repeat any other building in the world. The fine carving that adorns the almost twenty-five meter iconostasis of the cathedral is striking. Unfortunately, the names of the architects who worked on this gem of Kazan have been lost.<\/p>\n

Black Lake Park<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The history of the Black Lake began in the eighteenth century, when a small lake gradually appeared from the Kazanka River, in which fish were perfectly caught. Local residents quickly fell in love with this lake and pretty quickly it turned into a small recreation area.<\/p>\n

A century later, the lakeside territory was ennobled. A forged fence and green spaces appeared. Unfortunately, the history of the lake soon turned in a different direction – the lake was heavily polluted, and the city authorities decided to fill it up, which was done as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

A well-packed platform remained from the lake, on which a modern park was laid out, but the historical name of this territory has still been preserved.<\/p>\n

Fountains, original arches and live music – middle-aged people and young people gather here with pleasure. Maslenitsa and Sabantuy are annually celebrated here, in the summer, fans of ship modeling gather here, in winter, lovers of ice skating.<\/p>\n

Monument to the carriage of Catherine II<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

In the second third of the eighteenth century, Empress Catherine the Great visited Kazan. Her arrival in the city was arranged with special splendor – a retinue consisting of more than a thousand people, a luxurious rowing flotilla, big names and titles.<\/p>\n

The Empress really liked Kazan – immediately after her departure, the architect Kaftyrev was sent, who began to carry out the first such large-scale restructuring of the city, determining the vector of its development<\/a> for the next two centuries.<\/p>\n

The Empress presented the city with another gift – she allowed the construction of stone mosques within the city. In memory of this visit of Catherine the Great, a carriage remained in which every guest of the capital should be photo<\/a>graphed at random, as well as a galley, but the latter has not been preserved.<\/p>\n

Monument to the Kazan cat<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Bauman Street – the local Arbat – is famous for its sculptural compositions. One of the most popular among tourists is a three-meter statue of a cat, which lies imposingly in the gazebo, watching with a sated expression the mice that climb the dome.<\/p>\n

This sculpture is associated with a historical episode that took place. We are talking about the years of the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, who noticed that there were actually no mice in Kazan, and issued a decree according to which thirty cats should be delivered to her in the Winter Palace<\/a> to exterminate rodents. However, the descendants of that first thirty still serve in the Hermitage.<\/p>\n

City canal Bulak<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The name of this channel comes from the Tatar word “bolak”, which means nothing more than “small river”.<\/p>\n

Previously, this small river separated the upper and lower parts of the city. This natural waterway was not mastered immediately – only in the sixteenth century. Six bridges were thrown over Bulak. Unfortunately, the authentic wooden bridges have not been preserved until today – instead of them, stone bridges of the same name are thrown over the canal today.<\/p>\n

The oldest is considered the Bridge of Tears, which appeared in the first decade of the twentieth century. Today, the canal is lined with many historic buildings, as well as offices and commercial organizations. And on the canal itself, a system of fountains was organized, which instantly turned the Bulak canal into one of the most beautiful sights of Kazan.<\/p>\n

Millennium Park (or “Millennium”)<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The park is located around the lake Kaban. Its opening was timed to coincide with the celebration of the millennium since the founding of the city. It was this millennial milestone that became the main ideological constant of this complex.<\/p>\n

So, the park is surrounded by a fence in the traditional style. On guard at the entrance are zilants – the mythical guards of Kazan. The park has a number of zones, each of which has its own symbolic meaning. For example, the central part of the park is designed to demonstrate the location of Kazan at the intersection of roads connecting East and West.<\/p>\n

In the center of the park there is a fountain made in the form of a giant cauldron. It is also related to the legend of the founding of the city. Allegedly, the city was erected on the spot where a miracle happened – a cauldron dug into the ground began to boil.<\/p>\n

So far, the park project has not been fully implemented, but the city authorities plan to supplement it with a number of conceptual gardens and flower beds, thus completing the look of the park.<\/p>\n

“Native Village” (“Tugan avylym”)<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This folklore complex was also built in honor of the millennium of Kazan. It is a small copy of an ethnic Tatar village with wooden houses that can really be rented for housing, wells, mills and a number of entertainment venues. The gates of the village are always open – entry here is free. The village is surrounded by juicy rowan fruits, which give the settlement a festive look.<\/p>\n

On the territory of the village there is a small pond, whose banks are lined with large stones. The real pride of the village are the numerous lanterns, each of which has its own unique style.<\/p>\n

Here you can often see not only tourists, but also local residents – especially children. Schoolchildren often come here after classes to play – huts on chicken legs, swings, slides and a small skating rink were built for them, which open only in winter.<\/p>\n

2 day<\/h2>\n

The second day is worth spending on visiting monuments and architectural reserves, which are located outside the city, but have an important cultural and architectural significance. In addition, in this way you can get a little closer to the character of authentic Kazan – its origins.<\/p>\n

Raifa Monastery<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The monastery was founded at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Its foundation is associated with the name of the monk Filaret, who settled on the shores of Lake Raifa.<\/p>\n

Soon the locals found out about him and spread the news everywhere that a holy man lives on the shore. The construction of the monastery was not long in coming. As a result, it was he who became one of the first Orthodox monasteries erected in this region.<\/p>\n

Today, this impressive architectural ensemble is perhaps the most significant in the entire Middle Volga region. A similar effect is achieved not only due to the perfection of the ensemble itself, but also the beauty of the landscapes surrounding it – the dark green of the pine forest, whose territory is today a protected area, and the lake itself, in whose smooth surface the monastery has been reflecting for more than four centuries.<\/p>\n

Island-city of Sviyazhsk<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the iconic monuments of antiquity of Tatarstan is Sviyazhsk, which instantly evokes associations with the image of Buyan Island, immersed in turbulent streams of water and greenery. Most of the development of the island took place during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.<\/p>\n

Under him, a number of monasteries and churches appeared here, many of which managed to preserve their authentic appearance, while some are still under restoration. It is best to go to the island by boat – such a boat trip is guaranteed to leave a lot of vivid impressions.<\/p>\n

Kazan route<\/a> for 2 days on the map<\/h2>\n