Visit Kazan, A Multicultural Jewel Of Russia
Visiting Kazan in Russia is to discover a city that can boast of the good relationship that exists between the religions that are professed here. Thanks to this, it houses an extraordinary architectural mix. You want to know more? We show you some places that attest to that multiculturalism and the history of one of the oldest cities in the country.
Temple of all Religions
It is an architectural complex that dates back to 1992, when the artist and philanthropist Ildar Khanov decided to build it to bring together all religions under one roof. In fact, the place houses an Orthodox church, a mosque, a synagogue and an oriental pagoda.
Apart from these buildings, in which, curiously, no type of worship is held, in the Temple of All Religions there is an art gallery where you can see various exhibitions or receive master classes. And there is also a concert hall where musical evenings and poetry recitals are held.
The Kazan Kremlin
The mixture of cultures is equally present in the Kazan Kremlin. It is a historical citadel built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the ancient Kazan castle of Kazan. It is declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
The citadel houses various monuments of interest. Here is the Cathedral of the Annunciation, consecrated in 1562. From then until 1918 it was the main church of the city of Kazan and the Tatarstan region. Today the Cathedral of San Nicolás surpasses it in importance.
The Qol Šärif Mosque also stands out here. It is a reconstruction of the original. The old mosque, at the time of its construction, was reputed to be the largest in Russia and Europe, apart from the one in Istanbul.
Tukay Street, an essential corner when visiting Kazan
Along this street you can discover the ancient Tatar settlement. And it is strewn with colorful wooden houses that have ornamental decorations. All this allows us to obtain an overview of the local architecture.
Two mosques also stand out on the site. One of them is that of Mardjani, which dates back to 1766 and is the first to be built in the city. It was built in stone and, despite having undergone the odd change, it retains its original appearance. You can either admire it from the outside or go inside to see its interesting decoration.
The other mosque is that of Nurullah, erected between 1845 and 1849. Its minaret stands out and its predominant colors are white and green.
Cultures that you will discover when visiting Kazan
In the Russian city you can visit museums dedicated to cultures that have been or are important here, for example, the Tartar. Related to it is the Chack-Chack Museum. In it you will learn about the customs of Tatarstan or how its gastronomic specialty is made, the chack-chack , a dessert made of honey, flour and egg.
Eastern Tatar culture coexists with Soviet heritage. To discover more you can access the Museum of Soviet Life. It houses an impressive collection of objects related to the former USSR: propaganda tools, military memorabilia, portraits of Lenin and even musical instruments.
And, if you are traveling with the little ones, you should not miss the Soviet Children’s Museum. In its rooms a large number of old toys are exhibited. There is also a room with Soviet video games.
As you can see, Kazan is a multicultural jewel of Russia. It is a wonderful city that rises on the banks of the Volga and that combines Western and Eastern culture. Why don’t you decide to check it out first hand? Of course, you will not regret visiting Kazan, you will treasure a unique experience.
