Get to know Kazan, where an ancient kremlin sits beside modern rebuilds, a mosque beside an Orthodox cathedral, and city legends beside real historical events. The route starts in the heart of the city, the Kazan Kremlin, and leads along touristy Bauman Street to the quiet Black Lake park, Freedom Square and the National Library, ending on the Kremlin Embankment with views of “The Bowl” and the Ferris wheel.
Taynitskaya Tower
🏟️ Architectural landmark · 🏯 Fortress remains · 📜 Historic site
Governor's Palace
🏟️ Architectural landmark · 🏰 Palace · 📜 Historic site
Söyembikä Tower
⭐️ Famous people · 🕵️ Urban legend · 📜 Historic site
Lookout over the Palace of Farmers
🔭 Viewpoint · 🏙 Modern architecture
Kul Sharif Mosque
🏙 Modern architecture · 🕍 Place of worship
Sheinkman Passage and the Spasskaya Tower
⭐️ Famous people · 📜 Historic site
Bauman Street
🍽️ Cafés and restaurants · 🪆 Local traditions · 🗿 Sculptures
Black Lake
🌿 Public garden or park · 📜 Historic site · 🍽️ Cafés and restaurants
Freedom Square
⛲ Square · 🎭 Theater
National Library
🏙 Modern architecture
Kremlin Embankment
🔭 Viewpoint · 🚶♂️ Waterfront
Point 5
🏙 Modern architecture • 🕍 Place of worship
Another example of modern architecture becoming part of the city's history is Kazan's symbol, the Kul Sharif Mosque. Construction began in 1996 and took nine years; the mosque opened on June 24, 2005, in time for Kazan's millennium. Anyone is welcome to visit.
The mosque is named after Kul Sharif, a sayyid, religious leader and one of the commanders of Kazan's defense, who died in 1552 as the Russian army entered the city. The historic mosque of the Kazan Khanate, destroyed that same year, had eight minarets.
The four main minarets are 55 meters (180 ft) tall, and the central dome is 36 meters (118 ft) high and 17 meters (56 ft) across. The interior holds 1,500 people, and the square in front can take another ten thousand. Besides the prayer halls and a tourist gallery, the mosque houses the Museum of Islamic Culture, a room for the nikah wedding ceremony and the imam's office. Next to the mosque is a dome in the same style. Although it looks like part of the mosque and might seem at first glance to carry some cultural meaning, it is just a fire substation.
Point on route “Kazan: A City of Harmonious Contrasts”
Point 5
🏙 Modern architecture • 🕍 Place of worship
Another example of modern architecture becoming part of the city's history is Kazan's symbol, the Kul Sharif Mosque. Construction began in 1996 and took nine years; the mosque opened on June 24, 2005, in time for Kazan's millennium. Anyone is welcome to visit.
The mosque is named after Kul Sharif, a sayyid, religious leader and one of the commanders of Kazan's defense, who died in 1552 as the Russian army entered the city. The historic mosque of the Kazan Khanate, destroyed that same year, had eight minarets.
The four main minarets are 55 meters (180 ft) tall, and the central dome is 36 meters (118 ft) high and 17 meters (56 ft) across. The interior holds 1,500 people, and the square in front can take another ten thousand. Besides the prayer halls and a tourist gallery, the mosque houses the Museum of Islamic Culture, a room for the nikah wedding ceremony and the imam's office. Next to the mosque is a dome in the same style. Although it looks like part of the mosque and might seem at first glance to carry some cultural meaning, it is just a fire substation.
11 points
4 km
1 hour
