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Brief History of Kazan' (Казань)
Compliments of Alina
Hospitable land of Tatarstan warmly welcomes you to show its best places of interest and history. Once having visited it, you will surely wish to return again. You will learn the 1000 years’ history of Kazan’ and maybe dream of medieval towns of the ancient state named Volga Bulgaria. Walking along the silent streets of country towns you will enjoy looking at picturesque nature, which made impressions on such prominent people as Ivan Shishkin, Gabdulla Tukai, Maksim Gorky, Fyodor Shalyapin. Your memory will keep for a long time the magnificence of the white stone Kremlin, golden domes of the monasteries and churches, intricate decoration of the mosques’ minarets, and old famous legends. You will bring home unforgettable impressions of your visit of our beautiful Tatarstan!
The capital of Tatarstan, Kazan' in 2005 celebrated its 1000 year Jubilee. It is one of the most peculiar cities of Russia. It is situated on the left bank of the Volga River and the Kazanka River divides the city in two parts: the historic part and the modern section.
Long history of the city is connected with the ancient civilization of the Kazan‘ Tatars and their direct ancestors – the Bulgars of the Volga region. The city, located on the border line of Europe and Asia, has always been a kind of link between the East and the West, keeping traditions of two great cultures. Today it plays a very significant part in political, economic and international relations.
A thousand years ago, on the top of the hill, on the left bank of Kazanka river was founded Kazan’ city. A thousand years ago wooden fortress walls had risen on this place. They protected the northern territory of the state known as Volga-Kama Bulgaria.
By the 15th century it had become a large economical and trading center on the Middle Volga and the capital of Kazan Khanate. In 1552, it was captured by Ivan the Terrible and joined Russia. For the following 15 years of our history, Kazan' was the main city of the Kazan' Region. In the reign of Peter the Great, in 1708, Kazan' became the capital of the Kazan' gubernia (province) and kept this status for more than 200 years. During the last 90 years Kazan' is the capital of Tatarstan.
“The Wonderful City”, “The Capital of the East”- these are names that the medieval travelers gave to Kazan' as they were very delighted with its architecture and position. The ensemble of fortress that is situated on the top of a hill on the bank of Kazanka river is the very heart of Kazan’. You can not help admiring the white stoned Kremlin with its marvelous towers, glistening domes, and ornate minarets. In the Kremlin there is Annunciation Cathedral, Saviour and Secrecy towers, Kul-Sharif mosque, The Governor’s Palace, and Syuyumbeki Tower, the symbol of Kazan’. It is one of «falling» towers in the world, called in honor of Kazan’ tsarina Syuyumbeki. According to the legend she refused to become a wife of Ivan the Terrible and threw herself out of the tower.
Kazan’ is changing greatly today. New buildings are being built, churches and mosques are reconstructed, new hotels, entertainment centers and various dwelling houses appear. In modern ensemble of Kazan’ intertwined the silhouette of Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, a whimsical construction in «Ukrainian» baroque style built in 1723 – 1726 and the high building of Kazan’ University built in 70 years of the XX.
Kazan' is an amazing city where people of different nationalities and religions have lived in peace for centuries. Kazan' with its marvelous Kremlin, mosques, churches and rich museums, is a unique place of interest, included among the Volga River tourist routes and the World Heritage List. It has been awarded several diplomas and the medal of UNESCO. It is a city of theatres, museums, libraries, international festivals, new technologies and rich scientific potential. Besides the president of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev applied to the International University Sport Federation (FISU) to host the 26th World Summer Universiade in 2011 in Kazan'.
The Tatar people hold sacred many nice and kind traditions of ancient times. National holidays, such as Nauruz and Pancake Day, religious Kurban-bairam, Christmas and Ramadan are celebrated in Kazan’. The brightest one is Sabantui, or harvest Holiday, which comes after field-work finishes. At Sabantuy, colourful tents are open in all the city. Every corner of the city is transformed and traditional competitions and games are held in the squares.
It is impossible to imagine cultural life of Kazan’ without the Day of the City, which is celebrated on August 30. Сoncerts and sport competitions are held in all districts of the city on this day. The holiday ends with a spectacular display of colourful fireworks.
There are plenty of places in the city that are worth visiting. Among them we should mention the famous Circus which program includes performances of the Kazan’ artists, tours of the circus troupes from far and near abroad.
The oldest street in Kazan’, Bauman street, is the main pedestrian, trading artery of the city, business center, and concentrated place of entertainment establishments. Walking along Bauman street, you will notice some highlights: monument of Fyodor Shalyapin, a bronze copy of the carriage which belonged to Katherine the Great, Tatarstan Republic Academy of Sciences. You can visit various cafés, buy some presents and souvenirs in numerous shops and boutiques.
There are many theatres in Kazan’. Tatar Drama Theatre, Kazan’ Opera House, and the Russian Drama theatre are very popular among inhabitants and guests of the city. The international festivals of opera art in the name of Shalyapin, as well as the festivals of classic ballet in the name of Nuriev are held every year in Kazan’. Today they are becoming more and more popular in the world. It is worth visiting museums of Kazan': National Museum of Tatarstan, State Museum of Fine Arts, and more.
We can not help mentioning The Raifa Bogoroditsky monastery that is situated 35 km from Kazan’. The ancient cloister is located on the bank of a beautiful lake surrounded by virgin forests. Anyone approaching the monastery can contemplate a wonderful harmony of the architectural ensemble, crenellated walls of white stone, the Gate bell-tower looking into the sky, and golden crosses on the green and sky-blue temple domes.
It’s interesting to know that, by number, the lakes of Kazan’ can be compared with Venetia: White, Black, Blue! And such lakes as Lebyagye, Deep, Wild Boar Lake and Bulak are the most favourite places for rest of our citizens.
It is impossible to enumerate all the historic and cultural sites that are a particular visiting card for our capital. Kazan’ is the combination of a great historic past, glorious present and wonderful future!
Compliments of Alina
Hospitable land of Tatarstan warmly welcomes you to show its best places of interest and history. Once having visited it, you will surely wish to return again. You will learn the 1000 years’ history of Kazan’ and maybe dream of medieval towns of the ancient state named Volga Bulgaria. Walking along the silent streets of country towns you will enjoy looking at picturesque nature, which made impressions on such prominent people as Ivan Shishkin, Gabdulla Tukai, Maksim Gorky, Fyodor Shalyapin. Your memory will keep for a long time the magnificence of the white stone Kremlin, golden domes of the monasteries and churches, intricate decoration of the mosques’ minarets, and old famous legends. You will bring home unforgettable impressions of your visit of our beautiful Tatarstan!
The capital of Tatarstan, Kazan' in 2005 celebrated its 1000 year Jubilee. It is one of the most peculiar cities of Russia. It is situated on the left bank of the Volga River and the Kazanka River divides the city in two parts: the historic part and the modern section.
Long history of the city is connected with the ancient civilization of the Kazan‘ Tatars and their direct ancestors – the Bulgars of the Volga region. The city, located on the border line of Europe and Asia, has always been a kind of link between the East and the West, keeping traditions of two great cultures. Today it plays a very significant part in political, economic and international relations.
A thousand years ago, on the top of the hill, on the left bank of Kazanka river was founded Kazan’ city. A thousand years ago wooden fortress walls had risen on this place. They protected the northern territory of the state known as Volga-Kama Bulgaria.
By the 15th century it had become a large economical and trading center on the Middle Volga and the capital of Kazan Khanate. In 1552, it was captured by Ivan the Terrible and joined Russia. For the following 15 years of our history, Kazan' was the main city of the Kazan' Region. In the reign of Peter the Great, in 1708, Kazan' became the capital of the Kazan' gubernia (province) and kept this status for more than 200 years. During the last 90 years Kazan' is the capital of Tatarstan.
“The Wonderful City”, “The Capital of the East”- these are names that the medieval travelers gave to Kazan' as they were very delighted with its architecture and position. The ensemble of fortress that is situated on the top of a hill on the bank of Kazanka river is the very heart of Kazan’. You can not help admiring the white stoned Kremlin with its marvelous towers, glistening domes, and ornate minarets. In the Kremlin there is Annunciation Cathedral, Saviour and Secrecy towers, Kul-Sharif mosque, The Governor’s Palace, and Syuyumbeki Tower, the symbol of Kazan’. It is one of «falling» towers in the world, called in honor of Kazan’ tsarina Syuyumbeki. According to the legend she refused to become a wife of Ivan the Terrible and threw herself out of the tower.
Kazan’ is changing greatly today. New buildings are being built, churches and mosques are reconstructed, new hotels, entertainment centers and various dwelling houses appear. In modern ensemble of Kazan’ intertwined the silhouette of Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, a whimsical construction in «Ukrainian» baroque style built in 1723 – 1726 and the high building of Kazan’ University built in 70 years of the XX.
Kazan' is an amazing city where people of different nationalities and religions have lived in peace for centuries. Kazan' with its marvelous Kremlin, mosques, churches and rich museums, is a unique place of interest, included among the Volga River tourist routes and the World Heritage List. It has been awarded several diplomas and the medal of UNESCO. It is a city of theatres, museums, libraries, international festivals, new technologies and rich scientific potential. Besides the president of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev applied to the International University Sport Federation (FISU) to host the 26th World Summer Universiade in 2011 in Kazan'.
The Tatar people hold sacred many nice and kind traditions of ancient times. National holidays, such as Nauruz and Pancake Day, religious Kurban-bairam, Christmas and Ramadan are celebrated in Kazan’. The brightest one is Sabantui, or harvest Holiday, which comes after field-work finishes. At Sabantuy, colourful tents are open in all the city. Every corner of the city is transformed and traditional competitions and games are held in the squares.
It is impossible to imagine cultural life of Kazan’ without the Day of the City, which is celebrated on August 30. Сoncerts and sport competitions are held in all districts of the city on this day. The holiday ends with a spectacular display of colourful fireworks.
There are plenty of places in the city that are worth visiting. Among them we should mention the famous Circus which program includes performances of the Kazan’ artists, tours of the circus troupes from far and near abroad.
The oldest street in Kazan’, Bauman street, is the main pedestrian, trading artery of the city, business center, and concentrated place of entertainment establishments. Walking along Bauman street, you will notice some highlights: monument of Fyodor Shalyapin, a bronze copy of the carriage which belonged to Katherine the Great, Tatarstan Republic Academy of Sciences. You can visit various cafés, buy some presents and souvenirs in numerous shops and boutiques.
There are many theatres in Kazan’. Tatar Drama Theatre, Kazan’ Opera House, and the Russian Drama theatre are very popular among inhabitants and guests of the city. The international festivals of opera art in the name of Shalyapin, as well as the festivals of classic ballet in the name of Nuriev are held every year in Kazan’. Today they are becoming more and more popular in the world. It is worth visiting museums of Kazan': National Museum of Tatarstan, State Museum of Fine Arts, and more.
We can not help mentioning The Raifa Bogoroditsky monastery that is situated 35 km from Kazan’. The ancient cloister is located on the bank of a beautiful lake surrounded by virgin forests. Anyone approaching the monastery can contemplate a wonderful harmony of the architectural ensemble, crenellated walls of white stone, the Gate bell-tower looking into the sky, and golden crosses on the green and sky-blue temple domes.
It’s interesting to know that, by number, the lakes of Kazan’ can be compared with Venetia: White, Black, Blue! And such lakes as Lebyagye, Deep, Wild Boar Lake and Bulak are the most favourite places for rest of our citizens.
It is impossible to enumerate all the historic and cultural sites that are a particular visiting card for our capital. Kazan’ is the combination of a great historic past, glorious present and wonderful future!