Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan and one of the ancient Russian cities, which is located on the left bank of the Volga. It is considered the cultural and historical center of the entire Volga region and is quite deservedly called a city of contrasts, a crossroads of West and East, a meeting place for two cultures. A thousand-year history and an abundance of unique architectural monuments make Kazan one of the most visited cities in Russia.
You can go on an excursion to Kazan at any time of the year. Even in the most inclement weather, you will find what to do in this colorful city and what to see. The main local attraction is the Kazan Kremlin. This medieval fortress stands at the intersection of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. In 1994 it became a museum-reserve, and in 2000 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The territory of the fortress is surrounded by a white stone wall with towers. The observation deck of one of them offers a magnificent view of the circus building, the main mosque, the central stadium and the Kazanka River. The highlight of the Kremlin is the leaning Syuyumbike tower - the Kazan analogue of the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Syuyumbike spire is deviated from the vertical by almost two meters. According to legend, the Tatar queen threw herself from this tower, who did not want to become the wife of Ivan the Terrible.
You should definitely take a walk along Bauman Street, which is often called Kazansky Arbat. This pedestrianized street is located in the historic center of the city. There are shops, cafes and souvenir shops along it, which is why it is always quite crowded. Here you can also see fountains, a monument to Fyodor Chaliapin, a copy of the carriage of Catherine II and a pointer with distances to different cities. Architectural monuments on this street harmoniously coexist with neon shops, cafes and clubs.
Bauman Street ends with Tukay Square, where you can see a large clock cast in bronze. This is perhaps the most popular watch in the whole of Tatarstan. Their upper part is decorated with figures of the poet, Muse and Pegasus, while the dial is made in Arabic script. Friendships and romantic dates are often scheduled around these hours.
You should definitely visit Mussa Jalil Street, where the Peter and Paul Cathedral is located. This is a working church in baroque style. She attracts with her “gingerbread” decor. The stucco molding in the form of flowers and fruits gives reason to believe that Tatar craftsmen participated in the design of this cathedral.
The Kul Sharif Mosque is one of the symbols of Kazan, which is worthy of attention. This beautiful Islamic temple was built over ten years and was completed by the millennium of the city. Everyone is allowed inside the mosque, but at the same time they strictly monitor that visitors are dressed appropriately. Tourists are not allowed to enter the prayer hall, but you can look at it from a special balcony. There is a museum of Islam in the basement of this mosque.
Visit the Petersburg Street of Kazan. There is an entertainment complex called "Rodnaya Derevnya", where there is a cafe, a children's playground, a bowling alley and even a mill. All buildings in this complex are built in the form of wooden huts, and numerous benches and wooden bridges are decorated with forging. This is a great place for a carefree vacation in Kazan.
Among the new attractions of the city is the Riviera water park, which is considered the largest in Russia. Here you will find extreme water rides, ten slides, many swimming pools, one of which is on the street. For younger visitors, the water park has a special area with shallow pools and safe slides.
In between sightseeing, visit a halal cafe where you can taste dishes prepared according to all the rules of Islam. In the menu of such catering establishments there is a rabbit in sour cream, pilaf, lamb dishes, chak-chak, echpochmak.
