Kazan attractions Russia

Kazan Russia sights

The city on the Volga River, Kazan, Russia, is the capital of Tatarstan. With over a million inhabitants, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg. River cruise ships traveling the Volga dock here. Kazan lies approximately 720 km east of Moscow. It is a center of Islam in Russia. Kazan also has a large Orthodox community. The coexistence of the two faiths is remarkably harmonious. Otherwise, Kazan is hardly known in the West, just like the Republic of Tatarstan. We were no different before we spent three days in Kazan, Russia. 

Kazan attractions

As a city of 1,2 million inhabitants, Kazan offers many Russian attractions. Located on the Volga River, Kazan's history stretches back to the 12th century. At the same time, it is a young city that has undergone a transformation in recent years from a Soviet-era city to a more Western-oriented one. Furthermore, Kazan is a place where Muslims and Christians live peacefully together, a fact reflected in its landmarks. The attractions in Kazan also demonstrate the convergence of various cultures and ethnic groups. Over the centuries, a peaceful coexistence developed between Russians and Tatars, a relationship that continues to this day. Visitors can gain valuable insight into the historical contributions of these groups to Kazan's history by exploring their shared heritage.

Kazan Russia Map (city plan)

 

 

 

Kremlin - one of the top Kazan Russia attractions

One of the best examples is the Kazan Kremlin, which towers high above the Kazanka River. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kremlin is one of Kazan's most important landmarks. The Kremlin's most significant buildings are the Kul Sharif Mosque, opened in 2005, and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. Originally, a wooden church stood on the site of the cathedral, built in 1552 under Ivan IV.

However, just three years later, construction began on the cathedral with its five cross-shaped domes. It was completed in 1562. A bell tower was also added in the 17th century. The domes, however, only acquired their onion shape in the 18th century. Since 2005, the cathedral has housed a replica of the "Our Lady of Kazan"That dates from the 18th century.

Both houses of worship dominate the image of the Kremlin. The spiers of the mosque reflect the blue domes of the cathedral, as if to express the coexistence of religions in the harmony of their colors.

 

 

The government of Kazan Russia is keen not to disturb this peace. Therefore, the star that has crowned the Spassky Tower at the south entrance to the Kremlin since the 1930s is not replaced with a cross that used to be there. Other attractions of the Kremlin are the Sujumbike Tower, the Redeemer Gate (Spassky Tower), the Governor's Palace and the Transfiguration Monastery.

 

 

Registry office in the city of Kazan Russia

I do not know a city in which the registry office of the city is one of the sights. In Kazan, however, this building is so extraordinary that it can not be overlooked. The shape of a cauldron reminds of the time of the Tartars who traveled through the countryside as nomads. In its interior, couples today conclude the bond of marriage. From the roof of the family center you also have a good view of the river and the surrounding area.

 

 

Tatar quarter in Kazan Russia

The Tatar quarter on Kayuma Nasyri Street is well worth a visit. Wooden houses make this area very colorful. The gates to the courtyards, as well as the house facades, are decorated with wooden ornaments. Mosques stand among them. At the Tatar Inn, you can also sample Tatar culinary specialties. Even today, you can find villages in rural Tatarstan that look similar.

 

 

Cathedral - one of the more unknown attractions in Kazan

The Naryshkin Baroque architectural style makes this cathedral particularly worth seeing. This style was widespread in Russia at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries. Typical of this style are the ornaments on its facade. The details are well preserved. Donations from the merchant Ivan Mikhlyaev made the church's construction possible. Famous figures visited the cathedral, including Catherine II, Peter the Great, and Alexander Pushkin. Alexandre Dumas and Alexander von Humboldt mentioned it in their works. However, we are most impressed by its architectural style.

 

 

State Puppet Theater - one of the nice attractions of Kazan. Russia

Striking is the architecture of the building. This shows already from the outside, what is played in the theater. It is one of the leading puppet shows in Russia. Tales are told of the peoples of the world. There are also historical and contemporary pieces.

 

 

Sand

The Rubin Kazan Arena on the Volga River has existed since 2013. It hosted the Universiade and now hosts Rubin Kazan's home games. In 2017 and 2018, it also served as a venue for the FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It has a capacity of over 45.000 spectators and features the largest outdoor video screen in Europe at its front.

 

 

Temple of all religions - one of the Kazan attractions on the outskirts of the city

The temple of religions goes back to an idea of ​​the artist Ildar Khanow. However, he did not want to unite all religions under one roof. Rather, he wanted to create a symbol for the unity of souls. His temple of religions, however, is not finished yet. He is financed by donations. As soon as money is available, it will continue to be built. With its architecture, it is definitely one of the major attractions of the city.

 

 

Bauman street

Anyone visiting Kazan on the Volga should not miss a walk on Bauman Street. This is the pedestrian area of ​​the city. Especially in the evenings she is beautiful. Then the facades of the old buildings are illuminated. Many shops are open until late at night. Street musicians show their skills on the street. The road stretches from Pushkin Street to the banks of the Kazanka River.

Tours in Kazan Russia

Since we are in the first time Win Tatarstan and Russia, we looked at the city on guided tours. Without them we would certainly not have seen all the sights of the city. Also, and that was very important to us, we wanted to get to know the city with the locals. We were able to ask questions and get an idea of ​​the city and its inhabitants. Even if they certainly didn't answer all of our questions openly, we still got a better insight into the city, its history and attractions than if we had looked at it without a guided tour. 

Excursions from Kazan Russia

There are two places you shouldn't miss when you are in Kazan. They are out of town and the journey takes a few hours. However, since they are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a trip to Kazan is not complete without visiting these sites. 

sviyazhsk

Svyashsk Island is one of the must-see sights in Russia every visitor to the country. There Tsar Ivan the Terrible built a bastion of Russian Orthodoxy in 1551 as a counterpoint to the then Muslim Tatarstan. From here Ivan organized his conquests into the Tatar empire. At the same time, he expanded the island into a fortress for the Orthodox Church. Even today there are several wooden churches from the time of Ivan and a monastery that is still inhabited on this island in the Volga. From Kazan you can easily reach the island of Svyazhsk by boat. There are also excursions that are offered from the city. 

More information about sviyazhsk can be found in this article. 

Great Bolgar

The second place you shouldn't miss is Great Bolgar. This island is about 200 kilometers from Kazan. You can also reach it by boat from Kazan. The journey takes about two hours. Bolgar was the capital of the Tatars during the time when Tatars and Russians clashed in the region. Great Bolgar is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum offers insights into the Tatar way of life. The white mosque and the wooden Tatar village are particularly worth seeing. In the Koran shrine, you can also view the world's largest Koran. Only by visiting Bolgar can you truly understand Kazan and the coexistence of Russian Orthodox and Muslims. A visit is definitely worthwhile. 

More about Great Bolgar can be found in this article. 

 

 

 

 

Further Slow Travel Tips for Tatarstan you can find under these links.

Source for the article Kazan on the Volga: own research on site. We thank Visit Tatarstan for the kind invitation to this trip. However, our opinion remains our own. The article contains a few Affiliate Links.

Do you already know: 

• Cool backpacks for city trips
• Most beautiful beaches in California
• Nile cruise
• Helsinki hostels
• quebec canada
• Tangermünde
• 5 wine locations for a wine weekend on the Main
• Beautiful cities on the Rhine
• Baroque water games in Kassel
• Lake Bled
• Where you can eat well in Salzburg
• Darss sights

 

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline