When was the Kazan Kremlin founded? Kazan Kremlin: brief description and main attractions of the Kremlin. Arrangement of the Kazan Kremlin after the conquest of the Kazan Khanate

Plan of the Kazan Kremlin 1730

No historian can name the exact date of construction of the Kazan Kremlin. Researchers believe that the complex appeared between the 10th and 12th centuries. At first, all buildings were erected from wood, and the Kremlin itself consisted of fortress walls. But every year more and more buildings appeared, and then the complex turned into a real city - this is how the birth of Kazan took place. At first, the fortress was an outpost for the Bulgar princes, then for the khans of the Golden Horde. Since the 16th century, it came under the control of the Russian state - it was captured by Ivan the Terrible.

At first, the troops turned the Kremlin fortifications into ruins, but it was from this moment that a new page in the history of the complex began. Ivan the Terrible started a grandiose reconstruction of the Kremlin: architects and masons came from Pskov. In six years, the craftsmen changed the appearance of the structure beyond recognition. Orthodox churches, bell towers and towers arose on the territory. Instead of wooden fortifications, stone ones were erected. This citadel has long been famous as the most impregnable fortress medieval Rus'.

But in the 18th century this function became unimportant - the state expanded its borders. It was only during the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev that the Kremlin was used as a fortification during the siege of Kazan. After this, the complex lost its military purpose completely. WITH late XIX century, the fortress began to take on a modern architectural image, and today it is a symbol of mutual reconciliation between Orthodoxy and Islam.

Guarded by the dragon

The main entrance to the Kremlin lies through the Spasskaya Tower - on May Day Square. Pay attention to the statue of the Dragon Zilant. This creature is considered the symbol of Kazan and the protector of the city. There are many legends about the Kazan basilisk - it is believed that the monster lives at the bottom of the lake and the hills at the mouth of the river, and in the surrounding forests.

The Spasskaya Tower stands out in particular - main part complex. Sheinkman Street stretches from it - the former Bolshaya Street, which was the most important street in the Kremlin. This tower was built later than the others - in the 17th century as a symbol of the greatness of Rus'. Pskov craftsmen worked hard to create a traditional Russian bell tower with a majestic eagle on the spire. For a long time there was a church inside, and a chapel nearby. But later the structure was dismantled, making a through entrance.

The Spasskaya Tower is not the only one; in total, eight of the thirteen original ones have survived. No less interesting is Taynitskaya, also built in the 17th century. The massive lower and miniature upper tier, the magnificent view of the city from the walkway - all this deserves attention.

Reliable protection

After admiring the towers, take a look at the walls. Once upon a time there was a wooden structure in their place. After the seizure of the territory by Ivan the Terrible, they were renewed, and then the Kremlin was completely made of wood. There are many buildings under the reliable protection of the walls: Spaso-Preobra convent, Manege, Junker School.

For many visitors, the Kul Sharif Mosque becomes a favorite place. It is called the pearl of the Kremlin, but the real landmark was destroyed during the time of Ivan the Terrible. There aren't even any images of the building left. On the site of the disappeared medieval Islamic shrine, it was decided to build a new one. During the construction of the structure, the architects adhered to own ideas. The basis was taken as the “Kazan hat” - the crown of the khans of Kazan. In 2005, for the 1000th anniversary of the city, a new facility was inaugurated.

The modern mosque has eight minarets decorated with crescents. Inside there is a museum of Islam and ancient manuscripts, a prayer hall, a library, a gallery for women and an observation deck. The mosque primarily serves as a cultural, educational and scientific center. The rules for visiting are the same as in Orthodox churches. You can go inside freely, but you need to purchase shoe covers at the entrance. Women will need to wear a scarf and cover their knees - a long skirt is required. Men don't need a hat.

Visitors are impressed by the interior decoration - ceramic panels and paintings. When creating ornaments, the craftsmen adhered to the techniques of the 16th century. The windows are tall and narrow, in the form of pointed arches and with bright stained glass. Persian carpets self made add luxury - they cover more than 2 thousand square meters. Tourists admire the decoration of the mosque from observation balconies.

If you go downstairs, you can buy a souvenir as a keepsake. They sell various little things: from a painted spoon to a refrigerator magnet. Religious literature is also sold at the entrance. Adjacent to the modern masterpiece is a building made in the same style – the fire station. Behind the mosque is the residence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan. The palace combines features of Russian Baroque, classicism and ancient Russian architecture. But Kremlin guests usually rush to see the Syuyumbike Tower and the Annunciation Cathedral.

Kazan Leaning Tower

The top of Syuyumbike is tilted from the vertical by almost two meters - such a tilt is visible to the naked eye. The tower was built back in the 17th century on the foundation of a patrol building. But the calculations turned out to be incorrect, and immediately after construction the structure began to gradually tilt. They decided to correct the error only in the 1990s, when restoration work was carried out. Here tourists are advised to touch the tower and make a wish - they say it will come true.

A place of peace

Another miracle of the Kazan Kremlin is the Annunciation Cathedral. It is believed that Ivan the Terrible himself drove a wooden cross into the building site. This church became the first Orthodox cathedral in the Middle Volga region. Today it is a functioning temple. Behind the building there is a miniature park.

After sightseeing, go to the observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the Kazanka River embankment. From here you can see the bridge and the local water park. The Holy Dormition Convent is clearly visible, its golden domes sparkling in the sun.

Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin

Museum complexes

Curious visitors can familiarize themselves with the museum's exhibitions. Among those regularly operating are the Hermitage-Kazan, the Museum of Islam, art Gallery Republic of Tatarstan, National Museum, ancient settlement "Kazan Kremlin". To the left of the mosque are the remains of the Cannon Yard, where there was once an arms factory. Today the museum of the same name welcomes guests here.

Festive Kremlin

A visit to the majestic complex is always an event, but during festivals a festive atmosphere reigns here. Every year at the beginning of summer a stage is built near the walls of the Kremlin. On International festival live music is performed by famous musicians - both Russian and foreign. In September, a festival of modern culture is organized inside the complex. The Kremlin becomes a venue for exhibitions, concerts and performances.

Kul Sharif Mosque and fire department building in the Kazan Kremlin

How to get there

There will be no difficulties in finding a famous landmark. The first option is to go to public transport to the “Sports Palace”, “Central Stadium” or the “TSUM” stop. The second way is to take the metro to Kremlevskaya. Followers hiking can walk along Moskovskaya and Bauman streets.

Year of inclusion in the List world heritage: 2000

Kazan, one of the ancient cities of Russia, is located on the banks of the Volga, in its middle reaches, approximately 700 km east of Moscow.

The historical center of Kazan the Kremlin went through several stages in its historical development, which together cover a thousand-year period. First, a wooden fortress arose (at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries), then a stone one (12th century). From the second half of the 13th century. until the middle of the 16th century. The Kremlin served as the center of the Kazan Principality as part of the Golden Horde, and then the Kazan Khanate.

In the autumn of 1552, after a long 40-day siege, Kazan was captured by the army of Ivan the Terrible. The Kazan Khanate joins Rus', and a new stage of development begins ancient city. By order of the Russian Tsar, the Kazan Kremlin is being reconstructed, the fortress walls destroyed during the assault are being restored in stone, and new buildings are being erected (for example, the main entrance tower Spasskaya). The reconstruction is carried out in the old Russian architectural style, for which Pskov architects Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai are involved in the work. At the same time, the fortification system of the Tatar fortress that was formed before the capture is preserved, and the location of the ruler’s palace and religious buildings, as well as the main passage gates with roads and streets diverging from them, are preserved. In place of the mosques of the fortress, churches are built and a monastery complex is erected. The city turns into a stronghold of Orthodoxy on the Volga region and becomes an important center of pilgrimage.

The Kremlin territory has the configuration of an irregular polygon, elongated from north to south under the influence of the terrain. This polygon is clearly outlined by the fortifications of the Kremlin - its fortress walls 8–12 m high and towers, of which there were originally 13. Modern walls and towers were built in the period of the 16th-18th centuries, but at their base archaeologists discovered much more ancient masonry, attributed to to the period of the X-XVI centuries. The total length of the walls is 1800 m.

Of the towers of the Kazan Kremlin, two are most famous. Firstly, this is the main entrance Spasskaya Tower with a gate church, made in the classic white stone style. Secondly, there is the Syuyumbeki watchtower, which stands alone, seven-tiered, 58 m high, built of red brick. Presumably, it was erected at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, and named in honor of the last queen of the Kazan Khanate. However, scientists have not yet come to a consensus about the origin, purpose and architectural style of the Syuyumbeki tower, the appearance of which sharply contrasts with the rest of the Kremlin’s buildings. Indeed, its appearance reveals features inherent not only in Russian and Tatar culture, but also in Italian, so there is even a version that Italian architects took part in its construction (and according to this version, the age of the tower increases even more - it dates back to the end of the 15th century) V.).

Inside the fortress walls there are both church and civil buildings. The main church building of the Kazan Kremlin is the Annunciation Cathedral; it is the oldest of all stone buildings in Kazan that have survived to this day. The cathedral was built of white stone in the middle of the 16th century, but was subsequently rebuilt several times and survived several fires and subsequent restorations and reconstructions. Its complex also includes the Bishop's House and the Consistory. The Orthodox church heritage of the Kazan Kremlin also includes the complex of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery next to the Spasskaya Tower.

The main civil building of the Kazan Kremlin dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Governor's Palace (architect K.A. Ton). Until 1917, it served as the residence of the Kazan governor, and now it is the residence of the President of Tatarstan. This palace was built on the site of the former residence of the Kazan khans, which included the khan's palace, surrounded by numerous pavilions, galleries and outbuildings. From it, only the remains of the Khan’s mosque, two old white-stone mausoleums and some other structures have survived to this day.

Thus, the Kazan Kremlin is an outstanding example of the synthesis of different artistic styles, demonstrates the interpenetration of different cultures (Bulgar, Golden Horde, Tatar, Russian, possibly Italian), and reflects the originality of various - successive - historical eras.

In the early 2000s. The Kazan Kremlin became the site of significant restoration work in preparation for the celebration of the city's millennium in August 2005. As part of the implementation of the federal target program “Preservation and Development of the Historical Center of Kazan” approved by the Government of the Russian Federation in 2001, work was carried out in the Kremlin to restore seven valuable objects, including: the Annunciation Cathedral, the Transfiguration Monastery, the Governor’s Palace, the Cannon Yard, etc. d. A huge new cathedral mosque, Kul-Sharif, was built, which became the symbolic successor to the main mosque of the same name in Khan’s Kazan, destroyed after the city was captured by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

Since 1994, the Kazan Kremlin State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve has been operating.

In our country there are so many interesting and memorable places that life is not enough to see them all. Today we will go to Tatarstan. The landmark that the capital of the republic is proud of is the Kazan Kremlin, oldest part city, a unique complex of historical, archaeological and architectural monuments, which reveal the centuries-old history of the Tatar people, the ancient city and the republic as a whole.

The entire territory of the complex today is a museum-reserve, which has been under the protection of UNESCO since 2000. The Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan) is the main attraction of the republic. The vast territory harmoniously combines Tatar and Russian cultural traditions.

After Kazan was taken by the troops of Ivan the Terrible, most of the Kremlin’s structures were damaged and almost all the mosques were destroyed. The Tsar ordered the construction of a white stone Kremlin here, and for this purpose, architects were sent from Pskov to build the Moscow St. Basil's Cathedral. The fortress was significantly expanded, and wooden defensive structures were replaced with stone ones in the first half of the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan) lost its military function and became the cultural and administrative center of the Volga region. In subsequent centuries, the construction of the Governor's Palace, a cadet school, a bishop's house, a spiritual consistory, and government buildings was carried out here. In addition, the Annunciation Cathedral was reconstructed.

After the October Revolution (1917), the bell tower of the Annunciation Cathedral, the temple of the Spassky Monastery, the chapel at the Spasskaya Tower and other unique objects were destroyed in the Kazan Kremlin. In the nineties of the 20th century, the Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan) became the residence of the president of the republic. At this time, large-scale restoration work began.

Since 1995, work began on the construction of the Kul-Sharif mosque. Today it is one of the largest in Europe. The Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan) is a one-of-a-kind, striking example of the synthesis of Russian and Tatar architectural styles. It is also the most northern point spread of Islamic culture in the world.

Today many tourists from different countries of the world visit Tatarstan. The landmark of the republic that arouses the greatest interest is the Kazan Kremlin. It should be noted that in order to inspect all its structures, it will take at least two days, and sightseeing tour lasts only an hour and a half. But, since we are not limited in time, we will get to know the sights of the Kremlin in more detail.

Kremlin buildings

The Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan) is a museum-reserve occupying an area of 13.45 hectares. The perimeter of the walls is about 1.8 thousand meters. On this vast territory there are the WWII Memorial Museum, the Museum of Islam, the Hermitage-Kazan Center, the Museum of the History of Tatarstan and other institutions.

Spasskaya Tower

This tower houses the Main Gate to the Kremlin. Architects Shiryai and Yakovlev built the tower in 1556. The height of this structure is 47 meters. The tetrahedral base has a straight arched opening. The octagonal tier has arched openings on each side and is the belfry where the alarm bell is located.

On top there is a brick cone, which is crowned with a five-pointed star. Another octagonal cone houses a striking clock. They glorified the Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan). The interesting design of the first clocks, which were installed in the 18th century, interested many foreign craftsmen producing such mechanisms. This was explained by the fact that the clock was designed in a very unusual way - the dial rotated around fixed hands.

They were replaced with a traditional analogue in 1780. The clock that is located on the walls of the Spasskaya Tower today was installed in 1963. It is noteworthy that with the start of the chiming clock, the snow-white walls gradually turn a rich crimson color.

Offices

The project of the provincial chancellery was developed by the architect from Moscow V. I. Kaftyryev. The building appeared in the Kremlin at the end of the 18th century. There were offices (for receptions) and living rooms for the governor's family. The second floor was dedicated to a luxurious throne room with choirs for the orchestra. In the place where the Sovereign's courtyard was located in the 15th-17th centuries, a guardhouse was built in the mid-19th century.

Today, the premises of the former chancellery house the Department of External Relations of the President of Tatarstan, the Central Election Commission and the Arbitration Court.

Transfiguration Monastery

The Kazan Kremlin, the description of which can be seen in almost all advertising brochures of the city, is famous for another object. In the southeast of the Kremlin territory there is a monastery complex. In its center are the remains of the Transfiguration Cathedral, destroyed in the twenties of the 20th century. At the foot of the main wall of the cathedral you can see a small cave, which since 1596 was the burial place of the Kazan miracle workers.

The fraternal building borders the monastery fence. In 1670, monastic cells were built here. Much later, a gallery and a treasury house were erected. The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, as well as the archimandrite’s chambers, are located at the western wall of the complex. The church building was reconstructed according to the design of A. Schmidt in 1815. It is interesting that during the reconstruction the basement of the 16th century was preserved in its original form.

Junker School

On the territory of the Kremlin there is an arena, which was built according to a design previously built in St. Petersburg. This building was intended for combat training. Today the Institute of Literature and Art is located here. Ibragimova. Behind the arena is the school building. It was created by the architect Pyatnitsky as barracks for cantonists.

The building was transferred to the military department in 1861, and later a cadet school was opened in it.

Kul Sharif Mosque

In the courtyard of the school there is the most beautiful mosque in the city. Four minarets soared fifty-seven meters into the sky. The capacity of this grandiose structure is 1,500 people. The minarets are painted turquoise, which gives the building a surprisingly light image. In addition to the mosque, the complex includes a huge open library-museum, a publishing center and the office of the imam.

Round small beautiful building with a turquoise dome, located south of the mosque, is a fire station, which is stylistically associated with architectural complex. Kul Sharif was recreated in 2005. Funds for its construction were donated by citizens, as well as enterprises of the capital.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

This is the oldest stone structure in Kazan that has survived to this day. It was consecrated in 1562. The architecture of the cathedral traces the trends of Pskov, Vladimir, Ukrainian and Moscow architecture. The helmet-shaped crowns, located on the side heads, were replaced in 1736 with bulbous ones. The central dome is made in the Ukrainian Baroque style.

In the main basement part of the temple, a museum of Orthodoxy of the Volga region was created. A little further is the bishop's house, which was built in 1829 on the site where the palace of the Kazan bishops was previously located. The ensemble is completed by a consistory. This building was rebuilt from the bishop's stables.

Artillery yard

Behind the mosque and the school is the Cannon Yard, or more precisely, its southern building. This is the oldest building of the complex - it was built at the very beginning of the 17th century. An artillery factory began operating here in the 19th century. And last year restoration took place here. The creation of the exhibition of the Cannon Yard Museum began.

Nowadays, the complex hosts permanent exhibitions, demonstrations of fashion collections, and chamber performances. Near the southern building you can see a fragment of a brick building on a stone foundation. In terms of its depth, this object dates back to the Khan era of the Kremlin. In those days, residential buildings were built here.

Governor's Palace

It was built in 1848 for the governor of Kazan with royal chambers for especially honored guests. The work was supervised by K. A. Thon, who is known for his amazing works. This is the Cathedral of Christ and the Bolshoi in Moscow. The Khan's palace ensemble was previously located on this site.

The second floor of the palace is connected to the palace church by a passage. It was called Vvedenskaya and was built in the 17th century. Today the Museum of the History of Statehood operates inside the church, and the President of Tatarstan and his family live in the governor’s palace.

Tower Syuyumbike

This is the symbol of Kazan. The tower was named after the Tatar queen. As the legend says, Ivan the Terrible, having learned about the beauty of Syuyumbike, sent messengers to Kazan with an offer to the beautiful girl to become the queen of Moscow. But the envoys brought a refusal from the proud beauty. The angry tsar captured Kazan. The girl was forced to agree to Ivan the Terrible’s proposal, but she put forward a condition: that in seven days there should be a tower in the city that would outshine all existing minarets in height.

Ivan the Terrible fulfilled his beloved's wish. During the festive feast, Syuyumbike said that she wanted to say goodbye hometown looking from the height of the newly built tower. Having climbed to the top platform, she rushed down.

Externally, this building is very reminiscent of the Moscow Kremlin. Unfortunately, no exact data has been preserved about the time of creation of this attraction.

The tower consists of five tiers, which decrease in size. The last levels are octahedrons, which are crowned by a tent in the form of an octagonal truncated pyramid and a spire with a crescent. From the spire to the ground, the height of the building is 58 meters. In the last century, three reconstructions took place here, since it was recorded that today the deviation from the vertical of the spire is 1.98 meters.

Taynitskaya Tower

Below Syuyumbike there are the Tainitsky entrance gates. This name was given to them in honor of the dungeon that leads to the source. During the siege of the city, it was used by local residents. Previously, the tower was called Nur-Ali. The Russian residents of the city called her Muraleeva. It was blown up during the capture of the Kremlin. It was through these gates that Ivan IV entered the city.

The tower was restored, but the architectural decoration was done in the 17th century. Now on the upper tier there is a cafe “Muraleevy Vorota”.

Kazan Kremlin: excursions, prices, opening hours

City guests and local residents The Kremlin excursion department invites you to take a walk through the museum-reserve, accompanied by professional staff. Tours are conducted in Tatar, Russian, German, English, Turkish, Italian and French.

The entrance is open daily through the Spasskaya Tower. The Tainitskaya Tower is also the entrance to the Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan). Opening hours: in summer - from 8:00 to 22:00, and in winter - until 18:00.

The cost of the excursion for a group of six people is 1,360 rubles. For a group of more than six people - 210 rubles per adult.

How to get there?

The Kazan Kremlin (Tatarstan), whose address is Kremlevskaya, 2, is located on the left bank of the Volga. You can get here by buses No. 6, 29, 37, 47, trolleybuses No. 4, 10, 1 and 18. Stop “TSUM”, “Ul. Bauman" or by metro - stop "Kremlevskaya".

One of the most important and most visited attractions of Kazan is the Kazan Kremlin. This is the most ancient landmark of Kazan, the construction of which began already in the tenth century! Our era, however. Documents, as for many Kremlin objects, have not been preserved, so the officially recognized century is based on the first mention. Of course, the Kremlin, which now stands on a multifaceted hill, and the entire territory of the Kazan Kremlin has already been altered and rebuilt many times. This is primarily due to wars, assaults, and coup attempts.

If you don’t have time to read the article, we suggest watching our video about the Kazan Kremlin. With us you will walk around the Kremlin territory, look at the beautiful Ku Sharif Mosque from different angles, see all the main attractions and an incredible view of the Volga.

Video about the Kazan Kremlin

History of the Kazan Kremlin

From the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries it was a fortification, which was a Bulgarian fortress. Naturally, only the results of archaeological excavations remind of its existence.

Kazan was also part of the Golden Horde; after its collapse, the Kazan Kremlin became the center of the Kazan Khanate, which existed until the mid-16th century, namely until 1552.

And then, in 1552, the entire fortress was thoroughly destroyed after it was captured by Ivan the Terrible. It was his architects, however, and the forces of 200 workers who rebuilt the Kremlin again. It was then that the first Orthodox churches were erected, including the Annunciation Cathedral, which, unlike many, has survived to this day.

Some of the Kremlin's towers were built of stone, and some were made of wood. In general, the Kazan Kremlin became completely stone only in the second half of the seventeenth century. And then, solely because of the fire.

And already in the eighteenth century the fortress ceased to perform defensive functions (for some time) and it was then that the Kremlin became an administrative facility, cultural center Volga region.

Time passed, and the troubled times of the Pugachev uprising came, when the Kremlin again turned into a defensive structure - it was shelled from cannons for two whole days.

But it was not he who caused the main damage to the Kremlin, but the Soviet government, which at the beginning of the twentieth century massively destroyed churches and chapels built on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, when, in addition to the spiritual and architectural heritage, important church values were destroyed.

Kul-Sharif Mosque (schedule and visiting rules)

Rules for visiting and working hours of the mosque (photo enlarges by clicking the mouse)

Main hall inside the mosque

The Kul-Sharif Mosque was built quite recently - construction of the Kul-Sharif Mosque began in 1996 as part of the restoration of the multi-minaret mosque destroyed in 1552.

However, it fits very harmoniously into the architecture of the Kremlin. The mosque is open to everyone.

Kul Sharif is a functioning mosque, so you need to visit it accordingly. However, the rules for visiting do not differ from the rules for visiting Orthodox churches.

For women, this means a covered head, covered shoulders, a skirt below the knees, or long pants. For men - bare head, and entry in shorts is also prohibited.

If for some reason you forgot about these rules, scarves and capes will be rented to you on the spot completely free of charge.

Mosque opening hours:

The Kul Sharif Mosque is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Break from 11:30 to 13:15 on Fridays to perform Friday prayers.

Towers of the Kazan Kremlin

Spasskaya Tower

As in the Moscow Kremlin, this is a clock tower. It was erected by Pskov architects, who were attracted by Ivan the Terrible to restore the Kremlin after the siege, Ivan Shiryai and Postnik Yakovlev.

Now this tower is the main entrance to the Kremlin. Not far from it there is a monument to Musa Jalil (Tatar poet, hero of the Soviet Union) and a stop for a double-decker excursion bus.

Southwest Tower

The tower was erected simultaneously with Spasskaya by the same architects in the Pskov defensive style. The tower is located to the left of Spasskaya on the corner.

Preobrazhenskaya travel tower

On the right is the Transfiguration Tower, on the left is the Kul Sharif Mosque

This tower is named after the Transfiguration Monastery, which it once covered. At the moment, the entrance to the Kremlin through this tower is closed. The Preobrazhenskaya Tower in its original form was erected by Pskov architects, but later it was quite significantly rebuilt.

Polyhedral (pentahedral) tower

This tower, unfortunately, has not survived to this day. All that was left of her was a skeleton.

Unnamed round tower

Apparently the architects who built it lacked imagination. The tower was built of brick by the same architects Ivan Shiryai and Postnik Yakovlev.

North West Tower

Like the multifaceted tower, unfortunately, it has not survived.

Taynitskaya Tower

Erected on the site of the destroyed Nur Ali tower or in the Russian version - Muraleev. It is believed that it was through this tower that Ivan the Terrible entered the besieged fortress. And it is called Taynitskaya from the word “secret” - there was a secret source of water here, which made it possible to defend the fortress much longer during its siege.

North round tower

It was rebuilt in the seventeenth century, but then Pugachev’s uprising made its contribution. Apparently, the cannons destroyed the tower so badly that it was easier to dismantle it than to restore it. Which is what was done.

Resurrection Tower

...or what's left of it. The fact is that initially the tower was higher, and in the upper tier there was the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord (hence the name of the tower). Then, in the 20s of the twentieth century, when churches were being massively destroyed throughout the country, it was demolished, so that only the first tier remained.

Observation deck of the Kazan Kremlin on the Kazanka River (located behind the Annunciation Cathedral)

Northeast round tower

Again, what was left of it suffered as a result of the Pugachev uprising.

Dmitrievskaya Tower

Unfortunately, she did not survive to this day due to the Pugachev uprising. The Church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, in whose honor the tower is named, was also destroyed... well, you already know by whom and when.

Consistory Tower

Built in wood in the sixteenth century and rebuilt in stone in the seventeenth century, this tower was very important in terms of the defense of the fortress. The tower was named in honor of the Spiritual Consistory, next to which it was erected.

South-East round tower

It was also erected in the sixteenth century... and this is the last tower of the Kazan Kremlin of all that exists and once existed.

Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin

Next to the Annunciation Cathedral there is a monument to the Architects of the Kazan Kremlin

The Annunciation Cathedral in the Kazan Kremlin was erected by order of Ivan the Terrible after the siege of the fortress in 1552, when the fortress lay in ruins and had to be completely rebuilt.

Annunciation Cathedral is Cathedral, which in its original form was two times smaller. Its current size was the result of numerous additions.

And this is one of the few shrines of the Kazan Kremlin that was not destroyed along with all the other chapels, temples and bell towers. The porch and bell tower were destroyed, which, of course, is also a huge loss.

There is also a museum of the History of the Annunciation Cathedral in the cathedral.

Tower Syuyumbike

Unfortunately, it is not known for certain by whom and when this seven-tier tower was built, since in Moscow the documents were burned in a fire, and in Kazan they were lost as a result of uprisings. Therefore, there are many legends around the tower.

According to one of them, the tower was built by Ivan the Terrible, and in 7 days (according to the number of tiers), since this was the condition of Queen Syuyumbike, whom Ivan the Terrible wanted to marry.

True, this legend has a sad ending, since as a result, Queen Syuyumbike threw herself from the 7th tier of this tower.

It is known why this tower is “leaning”. Due to ground subsidence, the tower tilted. At the moment, the deviation of the spire from the central axis is about two meters. However, her fall was stopped and she is now securely fixed.

However, the tower still looks quite unusual, especially next to other buildings - the Kremlin towers and the Kul Sharif mosque, which is located in close proximity.

Museums of the Kazan Kremlin

There are many museums on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin.

Of the permanent ones, these are:

Museum-Memorial of the Great Patriotic War

A museum that you need to go to and take your children there so that the younger generation learns that it was not Batman or Superman who defeated Nazi Germany in this long and bloody war. The museum is located in the building of the Kazan Hermitage.

The museum quite often changes and updates the exhibition dedicated to the participation of the inhabitants of Tatarstan in the war. But one thing is constant - all exhibitions are dedicated to the Great Patriotic War.

Museum of Natural History of the Republic of Tatarstan

This is a museum dedicated not to the history that is defined by historians and politicians, but to the history of the emergence of the earth and the processes occurring in it during the time of its existence.

Interesting museum big amount interactive exhibits. For example, you can weigh yourself on a scale that will tell you how much you would weigh on other planets based on their gravity data. Look at the inhabitants of the Ice Age and feed the ancient fish. Observe celestial bodies.

In general, those who are interested in science or simply want to know more about the structure of the world in which we live should simply visit this museum.

The museum is quite recent – 2005.

Price:

Adults – 200 rub. (weekdays) and 250 rub. (weekends, holidays)
Students, pensioners – 100 rub. (any day)
Schoolchildren – 80 rub. (any day)

Museum of the History of Statehood of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Tatar People

This museum is divided into two parts. One is a permanent exhibition that describes the stages of life of the Tatar people over a period of two thousand years. This exhibition is located on the second floor. It can be updated and changed, but it is dedicated exclusively to the Tatar people.

The first floor of the museum is simply exhibition halls, the exhibition in which changes regularly (approximately every two to three months), so what is there must be clarified immediately before the trip if you want to visit this museum.

Ticket prices depending on visiting the halls and floors of the museum:

Adults - from 80 rub. up to 200 rub.
Students, pensioners - from 80 rub. up to 150 rub.
Schoolchildren – from 80 rub. up to 120 rub.
Excursion - from 300 rub. up to 600 rub.

Center "Hermitage-Kazan" - Branch of the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg)

This branch of the Hermitage Museum was opened in the building of a former cadet school in 1997. Since then, large exhibitions of various cultural values, paintings, etc. have been held on an area of 1000 square meters.

In addition, the Kazan Hermitage has computer classes, lecture halls... in general, everything that is customary to be housed in modern large museums. Naturally, it is better to find out about ongoing exhibitions in advance, since the exhibition may change.

Ticket price:

Adults - 200 rub.
Students, pensioners - 100 rubles.
Schoolchildren - 80 rub.

Museum of Islamic Culture

Located in the lowest tier of the Kul-Sharif mosque. The museum was created there because... Initially, the mosque on the site of which Kul-Sharif was built was created as a religious scientific and educational center of the Volga region. Therefore, it was decided to restore it too as a museum.

Price:

Adults - 200 rub.
Students, pensioners, schoolchildren - 80 rub.

Opening hours of the Kazan Kremlin, mosque and Kremlin museums

The entrance to the Kazan Kremlin is through the Spasskaya Tower 24 hours a day and free of charge.

Only museums located on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin have fixed opening hours, and passage through the Tainitskaya Tower is carried out according to the schedule:

The Kul-Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral are open to the public from 9:00 to 19:30. If you book an evening tour (only accompanied by a guide), you can visit until 20:30.

Museum natural history Tatarstan, the Hermitage-Kazan Center, the Manege Exhibition Hall, the Museum of the History of Statehood of Tatarstan, the Cannon Yard Museum and the Museum of the History of the Annunciation Cathedral are open:

Monday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00 (ticket office - until 17:30);

Friday – from 11:00 to 20:00 (ticket office - until 19:30)

The Museum of Islamic Culture is open daily from 9.00 to 19.30 (ticket office until 19.00).

!Advice:

If you decide to visit several museums of the Kazan Kremlin, it is more profitable to buy a single ticket for all museums, the cost of such a ticket is 700 rubles.

Official address of the Kazan Kremlin: 420111, Kazan, Kremlin, PO Box 522.

How to get to the Kazan Kremlin

If you came to Kazan by train, then from the Kazan-Pasazhirskaya station you can walk to the Kremlin in about 15-20 minutes, as we did.

If you are staying far from the center of Kazan, then you can use by bus: 6, 15, 29, 35, 35a, 37, 47, 74, 74a, 75 to the stops “Central Stadium”, “Palace of Sports”, “TSUM”

Metro: to the Kremlevskaya station. There is only one metro line in Kazan, so the main thing is to just look at the information board hanging above the platform. The only thing that is a little confusing is that the names of the stations are written in three languages at once and at first your eyes run wild.

And in conclusion, some more photographs of the Kazan Kremlin.

Photo of the Kazan Kremlin

View of the Kul-Sharif mosque from the Kremlin walls

Inside the Kazan Kremlin (the building in the center is the Manege exhibition hall)

Monument to Musa Jalil

Inside the Kul Sharif Mosque (taking pictures and filming is allowed with a phone and a camera without a flash)

On weekdays there are very few people in the Kremlin and mosque

On the territory of the Kazan Kremlin you can take pictures in ancient national costumes

Gate to the Presidential Palace (always closed to visitors)

The “leaning” Syuyumbike tower adjoins the Presidential Palace

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The architectural monument from which the history of Kazan began, the main attraction and the heart of the capital of Tatarstan, telling tourists its history. All this is the Kazan Kremlin - huge complex, combining the history and traditions of two different peoples.

History of the Kazan Kremlin

The historical and architectural complex was built over several centuries. The first buildings date back to the 12th century, when it became an outpost of Volga Bulgaria. In the 13th century, the Golden Horde sat here, which made this place the residence of the entire Kazan Principality.

Ivan the Terrible and his army took Kazan, as a result of which most of the buildings were damaged and the mosques were completely destroyed. Grozny called Pskov architects to the city, who proved their skills in Moscow by designing. They were given the task of developing and building a white stone Kremlin.

In the 17th century, the material of the defensive structures was completely replaced - wood was replaced with stone. A hundred years later, the Kremlin ceased to serve as a military facility and turned into a large administrative center of the region. In the next two centuries, new buildings were actively built on the territory: the Annunciation Cathedral was reconstructed, a cadet school, a consistory and the Governor's Palace were erected.

The revolution of the seventeenth year led to new destruction, this time the Spassky Monastery was subjected to it. In the nineties of the twentieth century, the President of Tatarstan made the Kremlin a residence for presidents. 1995 marked the beginning of the construction of one of the largest mosques in Europe - Kul Sharif.

Description of the main structures

The Kazan Kremlin extends over 150 thousand square meters, and its total length of walls is more than two kilometers. The width of the walls is three meters, and the height is 6 meters. A distinctive feature of the complex is the unique combination of Orthodox and Muslim symbols.

Built in the 16th century, it was originally much smaller than the current temple because it was often expanded. In 1922, many ancient things disappeared from the temple forever: icons, manuscripts, books.

Built in the forties of the nineteenth century in a style called pseudo-Byzantine. It is located in the northern part of the complex. Here in the 13th-14th centuries stood the palace of the Kazan khans.

- the most famous and great mosque Republic, erected in honor of the millennium of Kazan. The goal was to recreate the appearance of the ancient mosque of the Khanate, located here many centuries ago. Kul-Sharif looks especially beautiful in the evening, when the lighting gives it a fabulous look.

The Kremlin is also famous for its famous authentic towers. Initially, there were 13 of them, but only 8 have survived to this day. The most famous among tourists are Spasskaya and Tainitskaya, built in the 16th century and serving as gates. Front part Spasskaya Tower directed towards the main street of the complex. It burned and was rebuilt several times, it was built on and reconstructed until it acquired its current appearance.

It has this name due to the presence secret passage, which led to a water source and was useful during sieges and military operations. It was through it that the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible entered the Kremlin after his victory.

Another one famous tower, is often compared among people with its Italian “sister” -. The reason for this is an almost two-meter slope from the main axis, which occurred due to subsidence of the foundation. There are rumors that the tower was designed by the same builders who erected it, which is why it is so similar to the Borovitskaya Tower. It is built of brick and consists of seven tiers, being 58 meters long. There is a tradition of making a wish by touching its walls.

Nearby on the territory of the Kremlin there is a cemetery in which two Kazan khans are buried. It was discovered quite by accident when they tried to install a sewer here. After some time, it was covered with a glass dome on top.

- this is one of the most large places, manufacturing and repairing artillery pieces. Production began to decline in 1815, when there was a fire, and 35 years later the complex ceased to exist altogether.

- another interesting Kremlin object, which in the 18th century served as an arsenal, in the 19th century as a cannon factory, and in our time serves as a venue for exhibitions. There is a branch of the St. Petersburg Hermitage and the Khazine gallery.

The value represents monument to the architects, which is located in a park surrounded by flowers.

Museums of the Kazan Kremlin

In addition to historical buildings, there are many museums on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. Among the most fascinating are:

, clarifying the geological history of the planet and Tatarstan in particular. Here you can find out your weight on a space scale, take part in excavations, communicate with prehistoric animals and feed ancient fish.
demonstrates the cultural characteristics of the Tatar people living in the Volga region and their contribution to Islam.
talks about the formation of traditions and culture of Tatarstan, development and changes from antiquity to the present day. Exhibitions are held here, replacing each other every two or three months.
"Hermitage Museum"– branch famous museum, exhibiting paintings, historical and cultural collections, and regularly holds graphic exhibitions.

Excursions

Excursions to the Kazan Kremlin are an opportunity to get to know the history, culture and customs of all of Tatarstan. The complex contains many interesting facts, riddles and secrets, so don’t miss the chance to solve them and take memorable photos.

Each museum located on the territory of the complex has its own ticket office. For 2018, it is possible to purchase a single ticket for 700 rubles, which will open the doors to all museum-reserves. Ticket prices for schoolchildren and students are lower.

The opening hours of the attraction vary for several reasons. You can enter the territory for free all year round through the Spassky Gate. A visit through the Tainitskaya Tower is possible from 8:00 to 18:00 from October to April, and from 8:00 to 22:00 from May to August. Please note that photography and video shooting are prohibited in the churches of the Kazan Kremlin.

How to get to the Kazan Kremlin?

The attraction is located on the left bank of the Kazanka River, a tributary of the Volga. You can get to the main highlight of Kazan in different ways. Buses (No. 6, 15, 29, 35, 37, 47) and trolleybuses (No. 1, 4, 10, 17 and 18) go here; you need to get off at the “Central Stadium”, “Palace of Sports” or “TSUM” stops. Near the Kazan Kremlin there is the Kremlevskaya metro station, to which routes lead from different parts of the city. The exact address historical complex in Kazan - st. Kremlevskaya, 2.

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