The most important square of Kazan
Millennium Square is the largestin the city and at the same time one of the largest squares in Russia and the world. For many, the city begins with this landmark, and the objects located on the square have long been the city's calling card. If you come to Kazan by train, you will definitely be greeted by Millennium Square. Its size is impressive - almost 100,000 sq. m. The central stadium of Kazan is located on it. The roadway will allow tourists to get to it by bus, trolleybus and even by metro. Parks and lawns along the way will make your walk unforgettable. The square was opened in 2002. This required slightly shortening Bauman and Novo-Kremlevskaya streets, as well as demolishing minor buildings and low-rise buildings. Initially, the square was called Yarmarochnaya, and later (in 2005) it was renamed in honor of the celebration of the thousandth anniversary, which the city celebrated then. Millennium Square always becomes the main place for holding the most important events and activities. Thus, every year the celebration of the Republic Day, City Day and Victory Day takes place in front of the stadium. During the New Year holidays, a huge New Year tree is installed here. In order for everyone to be as comfortable as possible, spectator seats, stands and much more are installed around the stage. The rest of the time, when there is no need to hold festive events, driving courses are held on the square.
The Kazan Kremlin is the center of the republic's state structure
The Kazan Kremlin is adjacent to the square, whichback in 2005 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a whole complex of architectural landmarks of the Republic of Tatarstan. There is no written evidence of when exactly the Kremlin was founded. However, for many years now there has been an official version according to which the city of Kazan itself was founded at the beginning of the 10th century. Perhaps, it was at this time that the beginning of the construction of the Kremlin also dates back. The formation of the Bulgar Principality, which was located in the northern part of the modern territory of the Kremlin, dates back to approximately the same time period. For several years, it was several times under siege by the Mongol-Tatars and from 1240, when Batu Khan captured the principality, it became part of the Golden Horde. After the Horde disintegrated, the Kazan Khanate existed on this territory from 1445 to 1552. It was under the rule of the Horde khans, the first of which was Ulu-Muhammad. He executed the Bulgar prince and began to support the system of collecting tribute from the Moscow principality again. In 1552, Ivan the Terrible was able to capture the Kazan Khanate and the entire fortress was in ruins. In order to reconstruct the city, Ivan the Terrible brought architects from Moscow, among whom were those who were engaged in the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral. But even in the 16th century, part of the walls and towers of the Kremlin still consisted of wooden materials. Only in the 17th century were all the Kremlin structures rebuilt and became stone. After the khanate was annexed to Russia, the Kremlin did not become such an important defensive structure, but began to perform other, political, and turned into the administrative center of the Kazan province. But this did not last long, in 1773, during the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev, the Kazan Kremlin again began to perform the functions of a military fortress. And for some time, Yemelyan Pugachev was kept in one of the Kremlin casemates before being sent to Moscow for execution. Since 1774, the plan for urban development of Kazan began to be implemented, and new houses and streets began to grow around the Kremlin. Gradually, a large city was formed. During the Napoleonic wars, a cannon procurement and repair plant was located in the Kremlin. The 20th century was quite tragic in the history of the Kazan Kremlin. During the years when anti-religious events were held throughout the country, most of the towers, temples, bell towers and churches were destroyed. Icons, iconostases and other religious relics were lost. But already in the sixties of the last century, a restoration workshop of the Republic of Tatarstan was organized, which, thanks to archaeological excavations and research of the Kremlin since 1917, achieved significant results. Since 1992, the Kremlin has become the residence of the Republic of Tatarstan, which was formed at that time.
Kul Sharif Mosque is the religious center of Muslims in Kazan
The mosque was destroyed when Ivan stormed the city.Grozny could not be revived again in order to become the main religious center of Muslims of the Volga region. Only in 1996 its construction began, which lasted for 9 years. It was named in honor of the last imam of the old mosque - Kul-Sharif. He was among the people defending the fortress, and died defending his city. The mosque was also opened for the thousandth anniversary of the city of Kazan. About 400 million rubles were spent on construction, which were collected thanks to donations from citizens and organizations. The mosque can simultaneously accommodate almost one and a half thousand people, and the area on which it is located is designed for another 10 thousand people. By the way, inside the mosque you can see a list of people who made donations to the construction of the mosque. The architectural features of Kul-Sharif reflect all the features of the Muslim religion. There are 4 minarets around the mosque, the height of which is almost 60 m. The central dome resembles in some details the "Kazan cap", which, according to some sources, is the crown of the Kazan khans, was taken by Ivan the Terrible to Moscow and is now exhibited in the Armory. Each detail of the mosque has its own history. Thus, marble and granite were brought here from the Urals, and an unusually beautiful chandelier, created according to special designs in the Czech Republic, is fixed inside. The carpets are gifts from the Iranian government. The building always attracts tourists and in the evening and at night it decorates the city with its lights.
Central Stadium of Kazan
The stadium is home to a football team.The stadium, which is home to the Rubin team of the Republic of Tatarstan, was put into operation in the sixties of the last century and was originally called the V. I. Ulyanov-Lenin Central Stadium. At the time of its opening, Kazan had the Iskra football club, which in its first game at its home stadium won a crushing victory over the Metallurg team from Kamensk-Uralsky. In those years, the stadium could accommodate 30 thousand spectators, but today it can accommodate just under 28 thousand. The stadium was reconstructed for the Universiade, additional parking spaces for cars appeared around it, and in September, a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup between the national teams of Russia and Luxembourg was held here. The stadium regularly hosts games within the framework of the Russian Football Championship, the Champions League and, of course, athletic competitions of various levels. The interior of the stadium consists of several rooms, including: changing rooms for athletes and administrative offices, shopping arcades and ticket offices, doping control rooms, and a workshop for parking service equipment.
Kazan State Circus - Flying Saucer
Kazan is a city that has more thana century-old history of circus existence. The first circus here was organized by the Nikitin brothers back in 1890. The modern circus building was built in 1967 and could accommodate more than 2 thousand spectators. A children's circus school and a circus museum were organized at the circus. The school teaches such disciplines as clowning, equilibristics, acrobatics, choreography, gymnastics, juggling and others. Honored masters of sports and honored artists of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan act as teachers at this educational institution. The Tatar circus troupe was considered the best circus troupe in the country for several years. The most famous circus artists still perform here. Thus, during the Universiade (June-July 2013), the Zapashny Brothers Circus performed here with its program.
Cultural and entertainment center "Pyramid"
The circus doesn't end with a flying saucerKazan attractions that have an original appearance. So, almost opposite the central stadium you can see a completely unusual architectural exhibit - a pyramid. It is a unique structure in our country and the largest entertainment center in the Volga region. Although both during and after its construction, many citizens and prominent government officials expressed protests and negative emotions in response to the project being implemented. In their opinion, such a Pyramid fits very inorganically into the historical ensemble of the city center, with its ancient Kremlin walls and towers. But those who have a positive attitude to the new structure in the historical part of the city are still the majority, and they, on the contrary, find similar motives in the pyramid and the Spasskaya Tower on the one hand, and in it and in the Circus - on the other. The pyramid performs several important public and state functions. All kinds of meetings and summits are held here, carrying out many important assignments not only at the republican and state, but also at the world level. For example, the Islamic Business Summit and the World Congress of Tatars were held here. In addition to these events, international and Russian festivals and competitions (in billiards, bodybuilding, fitness) are organized in the Pyramid. Other entertainment and recreational establishments are also concentrated in this building: a night club, a beauty salon, a restaurant, a cafe and other organizations of a similar nature. Not far from the complex there is a five-star hotel "Mirage", which is ready at any time to accommodate all guests of the city who have arrived to take part in one or another event organized in the "Pyramid".
Pedestrian street of the historical center of Kazan
Bauman Street is one of the main streets,which the city can rightfully be proud of. There are a huge number of architectural monuments here, which are dedicated to the history of the city and personalities who are somehow connected with it. This street is the oldest one located on the territory of Kazan, and during the existence of the Kazan Khanate it was called Nogaiskaya Street. After the Kremlin walls were destroyed as a result of the assault by Ivan the Terrible, the street was renamed. It was first called Prolomnaya, and later Bolshaya Prolomnaya. And only in 1930 it was decided to give the street the name of the revolutionary Bauman - a native of Kazan. In 1986, the street became pedestrian only, and before and after that time active measures were taken to improve it. In the form in which you can see it now, it appeared in the early nineties of the twentieth century. You can get to the street by metro (the stations are located at the end and at the beginning of the street - "Ploshchad Tukaya" and "Kremlevskaya" respectively). You can also get there directly from Tukaya Square, which can be reached by trolleybus or bus, as well as from neighboring streets. Bauman Street is the most crowded at any time of the year and at any time of the day and even night. There are many restaurants, cafes, and shopping awnings here. In different places on the street, from time to time, you can watch performances by young actors and musicians earning their first fees. At some distance from each other, you can find a large number of fountains and small sculptures that amaze their viewers every time. Among them, there is a monument to Chaliapin, a monument to the carriage of Catherine II, and a monument to the Kazan cat. The carriage is an exact copy of the vehicle that brought the empress to Kazan in 1767. And the cat sculpture reproduces the cats that Catherine took to the Winter Palace so that they would hunt mice in the Winter Palace. At the end of the street there is a street clock made in the Arabic style, and the composition "Zero kilometer of Kazan", which indicates the distance to Moscow, to New York, to the North Pole. Walking through this historical place, you can get acquainted with the national stars of Tatarstan: here is an alley of stars, similar to the one in Hollywood. The bronze monument to the great Russian singer Feodor Chaliapin was laid in 1998. It is located near the Epiphany Cathedral, where the artist was baptized. The composition "describes" Chaliapin's departure from Russia and his farewell to his native Kazan in 1922. This monument is the first in the world dedicated to the great artist. This is not the only way for the residents of Kazan to honor and recognize the talent of their fellow countryman. Every year, the Fyodor Chaliapin Festival is held here, which allows all music lovers to gather together and enjoy a classical program.
