Kazan is a city that has celebrated its millennium, where antiquity and modernity, East and West, different religions and traditions, history and mentality are mixed together. You can visit the capital of Tatarstan many times and always discover it from a new unknown side.
Kazan is an original and authentic city with many iconic places. You can come here for a weekend or for holidays, and in 2-3 days you can have time to visit the most important sights. The weekend in Kazan will be remembered for a long time, and if you plan your trip correctly, you can explore all the most interesting things and have a good rest.
The historical center of Kazan
Kazan is a big city that consists of 7 districts. Tourists usually visit Vakhitovsky, where the Kremlin, Moskovsky and Novo-Savinovsky districts are located.
Vakhitovsky district is an ancient city center. It is here that the main attractions are concentrated: ancient mosques, parks, theaters and museums of the city. The Holy of Holies, the Kazan Kremlin, is located in this part of Kazan.
If you stay in the center, you can plan a walking route to explore the main attractions in Kazan. Places to visit are chosen depending on your interests – for example, to devote time to studying the National Museum or to take a walk and take beautiful photos on the embankment.
The Kremlin
The Kremlin is the ancient citadel of Kazan, a whole complex of historical, architectural and archaeological monuments of the XII-XX centuries, it covers an area of 15 hectares. There are defensive structures, a palace, a cathedral, a mosque, a monastery, government offices and a cannon yard on this territory. The Kazan Kremlin also houses the Presidential Palace and several museums.
The famous “leaning” tower of Syuyumbike is located here. Its peculiarity is that it has an almost two-meter slope. There is no information about the time of the tower’s construction. Some believe that the tower was built by order of Ivan the Terrible in 1552, while others believe that it was built in the 17th–18th century. But all historians agree on one thing – the tower has great historical significance. There are several beautiful legends associated with it, which can be heard from the guides.
The Annunciation Cathedral is the oldest preserved building on the territory of the Kremlin. This church, built in the 16th century, still attracts pilgrims and connoisseurs of ancient architecture.
It is adjacent to Kul Sharif Mosque, an important symbol of the city, the main mosque of Tatarstan and one of the largest Islamic temples in Europe.
Kremlin embankment
Next to the Kremlin, on the north side, is the picturesque Kremlin embankment. It is a modern, well-maintained embankment with interesting cafes and photo zones, it is pleasant to walk here and enjoy the views of the river.
The modern landmark of Kazan, the Palace of Farmers, which houses the republican Ministry of Agriculture, is also located on it. The building was built not so long ago, in 2010, and is decorated with a huge bronze tree illuminated with green leaves on the facade.
Kremlevskaya street
Kremlevskaya Street is located near the Spasskaya Tower and used to be called Spasskaya too. This is an interesting part of the walking route, there are numerous architectural monuments on it – the Alexandrovsky and Chernoyarovsky Passages, the National Museum and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city – the Ushkova House (National Library).
The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan has a huge collection of exhibits, there are more than 800 thousand of them. The museum presents collections of gold coins and ancient scrolls, ancient handwritten books and national Tatar costumes of the 19th century.
Kremlevskaya Street is home to one of the gems of Kazan’s historical center, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, built in 1723-1726. The cathedral is absolutely unique, its decoration and color scheme with colorful murals and stucco do not repeat any architectural monument.
Bauman Street
Bauman Street, Kazan Arbat, is also interesting in the center. It is one of the oldest streets and the heart of tourist life with shops, souvenirs, restaurants and monuments. There is also the ancient bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral with an observation deck at the top, which offers a great view of the city, and many other attractions.
Staro-Tatarskaya sloboda
This is an ancient district of the city, where the Tatars settled after Ivan the Terrible took over the city. The settlement is located on the shore of Lake Kaban and has preserved its authentic and picturesque appearance. Ancient houses, mosques and merchant mansions still stand here.
The Al-Marjani Mosque in Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda was built in 1767-1770 with funds raised by residents. It became the first mosque built in Kazan after the capture of the city, and remains one of the oldest Muslim temples.
Sloboda is located on Lake Kaban, which hasbeautiful promenade, fountains in the water and catamaran rentals. On the other side of the lake is the Zakaban mosque, which has become a place of unification of all Tatars. Interestingly, it was built to mark the 1000th anniversary of the adoption of Islam, during the Soviet period of militant atheism. But she worked for her intended purpose for only 4 years, in 1930 the Soviet authorities closed her down and returned her to the community only in 1991. When visiting mosques, the dress code should be observed – women should cover their heads and shoulders, and it is forbidden to enter in shorts.
Modern sights of Kazan
Novo-Savinovsky is one of the most modern districts of the city. The famous Riviera Water Park, Kazan Arena, the facilities of the Universiade 2013, the Palace of Water Sports and martial Arts are located here.
The Kazan Family Center has been built in this area in the form of a stylized family hearth – a cauldron. It was opened for the Universiade. In addition to its unique shape, the building is decorated with themed lighting in the form of fire. There is an observation deck at the top, which offers a beautiful view of the embankment and the Kremlin on the opposite side of the river.
Nearby is the Ferris wheel “Around the World”, 65 meters high – one of the tallest attractions in Russia.
In the capital of Tatarstan, it is worth visiting the viewing platforms in the evening – the city has very beautiful lighting. Bright lights illuminate the Kremlin, the Kul Sharif Mosque, the Palace of Farmers, the bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral. Mosques, Orthodox cathedrals and unique buildings all combine to create an unusual and rare sight.
Surroundings of Kazan
On a long weekend, for example, 3 days in advance, or if you have already been to Kazan, you can visit the surroundings of the city.
Blue Lakes
Blue lakes of karst origin are located not far from Kazan, 10 kilometers away. The water temperature in them is +4 °C all year round. The lakes are a natural monument, the pride and favorite vacation spot of Kazan residents. There is really blue water, as well as rare plants, red Book birds and butterflies, and beautiful air. But there are no fish in the lakes – the ichthyofauna does not live at this temperature.
Sviyazhsk
It is a small city under UNESCO protection, where historical views are carefully preserved and the construction of modern buildings is prohibited.
Sviyazhsk is a nature reserve of an ancient Russian town. It was founded after the conquest of Kazan, and is famous for its Orthodox churches, monasteries, and museums.
Where to go in Kazan with children
Children in Kazan will not be bored either. Even walking through the streets of the city will be a lot of fun. What is the sculpture of the “Kazan Cat” worth, which sprawls impressively on a cot and cunningly smiles at passers-by. Or a luxurious large carriage, a replica of Catherine II’s carriage, in which you can take pictures. You can also go to the water park, there are two of them in the city: “Riviera” and “Baryonix”. They also work in winter.
You can have a great time if you visit the zoo that children love. Kazan has the only zoo botanical garden in Russia. There are 203 species of plants growing in the open ground and 500 more in the greenhouse, as well as 160 species of animals, including those listed in the Red Book. The zoo botanical garden has a new part – “The Zambezi River. Africa”. The Kirlay amusement park awaits guests on the Kazanka River embankment. Older children will be interested in a night excursion to the Astronomical Observatory with stargazing.
One of the best places to go in Kazan with children is the Ekiyat Theater. This is a children’s puppet theater, which is located in a beautiful fairy-tale palace with turrets. Performances in Russian and Tatar are staged here. Before visiting, you should study the poster and find out what language the presentation is in and whether there is an audio translator. You can also visit Ekiyat with an excursion.
Food in Kazan
Even on a short weekend trip, you can have time to eat delicious Tatar food in numerous restaurants. The basis of the national cuisine in Kazan is mutton and poultry meat. The most popular dishes are echpochmak, a triangular pie with meat filling, potatoes and onions. The national Tatar soup is tokmach. This is a noodle soup with meat, vegetable or mushroom broth. Kystyby is an unleavened flatbread stuffed with porridge, stew or mashed potatoes, drizzled with melted butter. Elesh is a round patty with chicken and potatoes. Tutyrma is a homemade sausage made from mutton or veal. Gubadia is a festive national pie. And everyone’s favorite sweet chuck chuck.
Souvenirs from Kazan
It is impossible to visit Kazan and leave without souvenirs. Which is better to buy?
- Ichigi boots are made of pieces of leather with a national pattern, soft, light and comfortable.
- Khan’s slippers with upturned toes made of soft leather with national ornaments.
- A skullcap made of velvet, decorated with stones and embroidered with braid and beads.
- Kalfak is a headdress with a tassel at the end.
- Meat delicacies, horse meat sausage is especially popular.
- Sweets – talkysh kaleve, chak-chak, kosh tele.
- Herbal balms based on herbs, berries and flowers with honey.
There are many very different sights in the distinctive and interesting Tatar capital, and everyone will find where to go in Kazan.
