Travel across the Kremlin

Travel across the Kremlin we begin from the side of the river Kazanka.

From here a beautiful panorama is opened: the Monument to Russian soldiers in form of truncated pyramid where Ivan Grozny's soldiers buried, perished at a capture of the city, the original building of a circus designed for 2500 spectators is seen.

Once Kazanka was a small river. But with formation of Kuybyshev water basin the Big Volga approached the city closely, and the Kazanka formed in the city boundaries mighty water reaches giving now to a landscape a natural appearance.

Let's enter the Kremlin through Tainitzky tower. The tower is named so because under it was a secret passage to a source supplying Khan Court yard with water. It was blown up during the siege of Kazan in 1552 and that hastened fall of the city. From this side on August 4, 1552 in 2 days after capture of Kazan Ivan Grozny entered in destroyed khan's fortress.

From Tainitzky towers passing by Representation building of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan we rise to the Governor's palace constructed in XIX century under the project of architect Karl Ton, the author of the Big Kremlin Palace and the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

On this place prior to the beginning of XVI century Khan's court yard located with mosques and mausoleums, gardens with exotic plants and birds. The three-tent palace surrounded with stone walls stood on a hill, by beauty of its towers and minarets personifying authority of khans and religion of Islam.

Now, here is the official President's residence of the Republic of Tatarstan. Before the residence it is possible to see a fountain with fantastic winged dragon. It is not casual. Namely, winged dragon Zilant is depicted on the arms of the city.

Near the Governor's palace, tower of Suyumbike - a historical and architectural emblem of city is overlooking. Its name is connected to the name of last tsarina of Kazan khanate - Suyumbike.

National legends narrate about tsarina's unusual beauty. Having heard about her, Ivan Grozny sent matchmakers to Suyumbike. Refusal of tsarina was the reason of capture of Kazan by Russian armies after that Suyumbike agreed to marry but put condition that within a week Russian architects should manage to erect a high tower. The demand had been fulfilled. Then tsarina went an upstairs on the top of tower, said farewell to the city and rushed downwards.

It is a legend, but actually, exact time of construction of the tower, erected already after capture of Kazan by Ivan Grozny is not known. Scientists assume, that the tower was constructed somewhere about 1708.

Tower of Suyumbike is remarkable by one more detail : it is similar to Piza "falling tower". Its top is deflected from a vertical almost by 2 meters that is visible by open eye. Annually on October 15, the tower serves as a minaret - from it azan is read out and the pray in memory of fallen defenders of Kazan is performed.

Opposite the Governor's palace the Annunciation cathedral is located. It was constructed in 1562. The Annunciation cathedral before revolution of 1917 was the main cathedral of the Kazan diocese. Here, the most solemn divine services were performed, all well-known guests of Kazan attended it. Here were: A.Radishchev, A.Pushkin, S.Rakhmaninov. F.Shalyapin sang in chorus of a cathedral. The cathedral Peter 1 the Great , Ekaterina II and other Russian emperors visited.

Interiors of the building were richly painted. In ancient part of the temple it is possible to see the rests of frescos of XVII century at altar parts, including the image of the Kazan Divine Mother, a famous wonder-working icon, had been kept for several years in the Annunciation cathedral. More late painting performed by painter Safonov - the outstanding icon painter from the Vladimir province, relates to XIX century. By miracle preserved paintings were carefully restored. The lost iconostasis was recreated by talented Moscow masters.

Near the cathedral former Archbishop house is located – a city residence of the head of Orthodox church, constructed in XIX century and the Consistory - church - administrative and church - judicial body of diocese. In this part of the Kremlin gradually the center of orthodox ruling over conquered Kazan territory was forming.

The square near the Annunciation cathedral now is decorated with a sculptural composition "Architects of the Kazan Kremlin" set up in 2003. The monument consist of two figures - architect - Russian, holding on lap drawing of Spassky tower and the architect - Tatar.

From the right side of the cathedral on a place where there was Khan guards, the Cannon court yard is situated. Here at 17-18 centuries heavy arms were made and stored.

From the Cannon court yard the street leads us further beside former Offices - the provincial administration, constructed in days of Ekaterina II, and Cadet schools (first half XIX century). Today here museum complexes of the Kremlin are spaced. In a stage of development the concept of a museum of history and statehood of Tatars and Tatarstan, a museum of garrison of the Kazan Kremlin, a museum of archeology, picture gallery, a museum of the nature of Tatarstan, a museum of Islamic culture of the Volga region, a museum of cultures of Orthodox peoples of the Volga region.

It is impossible to pass by the Kul Sharif mosque. But first we shall recollect its unusual history.

Four hundreds ago the mosque Kul Sharif decorated capital of Kazan khanate, amazing all with magnificence, beauty and rich library. It was named so in honour of the last imam, seid Kul Sharif, a scientist, a poet and a diplomat. During storm of Kazan by Ivan Grozny armies seid Kul Sharif was one of heads of defense and heroically perished. All his pupils perished. The mosque was destroyed.

In 1995, President of Republic Tatarstan M.SH.Shaimiev signed the Decree "On concept of preservation, development and use of ensemble of the Kazan Kremlin", providing, in particular, reconstruction of the mosque Kul Sharif, then construction of a modern building of the mosque started. The complex of the mosque - a symbol of revival of national and religious traditions of Tatar people - includes museum - library, publishing center and office of imam. On the walls of the mosque – there are sayings from the Quran.

As well as the Annunciation cathedral, the mosque opens for prayings 2 times a year, during the main religious holidays.

The policy of toleration and mutual respect of representatives of various religious faiths is consistently carried out in the republic. In our city representatives of all main world faiths peacefully coexist: Islam, Christianity (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism), Judaism.

From the mosque we pass further to Spassky tower, main entrance of the Kazan Kremlin. The tower was constructed in 1562 by Pskov masters and received the name from icon of vernicle with which Ivan Grozny appeared near the walls of Kazan. Long time beside this icon the fighting banner of hero Kulikovsky battle of prince Dmitry Donskoi was stored in the tower.

Having passed through Spassky tower, we get to the square with spring name - May 1, one of the most ancient in our city. Here the monument to poet - hero Musa Dzhalil is set.

From a high Kremlin hill a beautiful view of bottom part of city is opened, river port and high right bank of the river Volga.