The best historical and modern sights of Kazan on the map. Kazan Kremlin, observation decks, embankments, Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda, a Ferris wheel and a water park with a beach in the center of the city. How many monuments are on Bauman street? Are tourists allowed into the Kul Sharif Mosque? Cultural and entertainment program in Kazan for 1-2 days.

Kazan is officially called the “Third Capital of Russia”. Now it is one of the most visited cities after Moscow and St. Petersburg. We went to Kazan a year after the FIFA World Cup and made sure that everything they say is true: the capital of Tatarstan is very beautiful and comfortable. Kazan has UNESCO monuments, national color, museums, entertainment centers, good hotels and restaurants — all tourist infrastructure.

Sights of Kazan on the map

Kazan Kremlin

Kazan Kremlin — attraction No. 1 of Kazan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Entrance to the territory of the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve is free. Sightseeing tours of Kazan begin from the Spassky Gate.

Kazan Kremlin through the centuries religions of Tatarstan on a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Kazan Kremlin is a synthesis of Tatar and Russian architectural styles. On its territory of 150 thousand m2 there are objects of cultural and national significance of different eras. The Kremlin is surrounded by a 1.8 km long wall, along the perimeter of which there are 8 of the 13 originally built towers.

The most significant buildings of the Kazan Kremlin

Syuyumbike Tower16th century The red brick tower, 58 meters high, belongs to the leaning towers. Its slope to the northeast is about two meters. It is named after the khansha Syuyumbike, about whom a beautiful legend has been laid down. Touch the wall and make a wish.Annunciation Cathedralwas founded on October 4, 1552 on the day of the solemn entry of Ivan IV into Kazan. All Russian emperors attended the services in the cathedral, many famous people visited the cathedral. Now the museum of the Annunciation Cathedral is open at the temple.Kul-Sharif Mosque. The main mosque of the Republic of Tatarstan and Kazan was built in the center of the Kremlin in 2005. Detailed description below.

Kazan Kremlin Museums

The Kazan Kremlin is open 7 museums. A single ticket for all museums costs 800 rubles, each museum separately costs 100-250 rubles. Free admission every first Tuesday of the month, 22 January and 18 May. Check prices and opening hours on the official website of the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve.

Museum of the History of Statehood of TatarstanHermitage-Kazan CenterMuseum of Islamic CultureMuseum of Natural History of TatarstanMuseum of the Cannon YardManege Exhibition HallMuseum of the History of the Annunciation Cathedral

During our trip, the Hermitage-Kazan Center hosted an interesting exhibition about the Golden Horde and the empire of Genghis Khan that we visited.

Observation decks of the Kazan Kremlin

Preobrazhenskaya Tower &#8212 ; the oldest observation deck in Kazan. Through the sentinel archers, a good angle to the Kul-Sharif mosque, views of the Millennium Square, Bulak Canal. Ticket 100 rubles Observation deck behind the Cathedral of the Annunciation — view of the Kremlin embankment and the Kazanka river. Free.

A beautiful view of the Kazan Kremlin opens from the Mirage Hotel. This modern 5-star hotel features an indoor pool, a sauna, a fitness center and a Tatar restaurant.

Kul-Sharif Mosque

The construction of the main mosque of Tatarstan began in 1996 by order of the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan M.Sh.Shaimiev. The mosque is named after Imam Kul Sharif — an outstanding religious and statesman, poet and diplomat who fell in battle during the capture of Kazan (1552).

First day in Kazan Sightseeing tour by bus with a visit to the Kazan Kremlin and the Old Tatar settlement

The Kul-Sharif Mosque was opened to believers in 2005 to celebrate the millennium of Kazan. It is decorated with 4 minarets 57 meters high. The decoration used natural materials: white marble, granite, onyx, serpentine. Interior interiors are made with elements of stucco, gilding, stained glass, mosaics and wood carvings.

Kul-Sharif Mosque consists of 5 tiers, on which there are rooms for ablutions, a museum of Islamic culture, a hall for meeting guests, men's and women's prayer halls.

The cathedral mosque can accommodate 5,000 people. Mass services are held on Fridays and Muslim holidays, the rest of the time the temple is open to all visitors (free of charge). Scarves and skirts are given out at the entrance, you can look at the prayer hall from the excursion balconies — a chandelier weighing 2 tons and Persian carpets. In the evening, the Kul-Sharif mosque is beautifully illuminated.

Kremlin embankment of Kazan

Kremlin embankment of Kazan &# 8212; a favorite place of rest for Kazan citizens and guests of the city. The well-maintained embankment of the Kazanka River stretches for 1.5 km from the walls of the Kazan Kremlin to the Kazan National Cultural Center.

There are restaurants and cafes on the Kremlin embankment, festivals and events are held. People come here to watch the fireworks on the day of the city of Kazan (August 30). We got to the finals of the Red Bull Air Race aviation championship, the epicenter of which was also the Kremlin embankment.

The Kremlin embankment of Kazan is divided into 2 zones — walking and sports. Rollerblades, scooters, bicycles, velomobiles — all of this can be rented. We took scooters and drove to the Millennium Bridge.

Palace of Farmers

The Palace of Farmers is located on Palace Square near the northern wall of the Kazan Kremlin. An unusual eclectic building was built in 2010 for the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan.

Mysterious Kazan after sunset Immerse yourself in the legends of the deserted capital and see the city in the lights

The central portal is decorated with a 20-meter bronze tree, symbolizing fertility. At nightfall, the Palace of Farmers is illuminated with green and white lights. Concerts are held on the square in front of the palace.

House of Ushkova

The former mansion of the industrialists Ushkovs (beginning of the 20th century) — a wedding gift from chemical magnate Alexei Ushkov to his future wife Zinaida. One of the most beautiful buildings in Kazan was built in the Art Nouveau style with baroque elements and is distinguished by elegance and decorativeness. 

The main decoration of the mansion is the grotto garden, which can be seen from the huge windows overlooking the street. Stalactites hang from the ceiling of the grotto, plants sprout through decorative stones, a fountain in the form of a fabulous fish in an aquarium with shells. 

Since 1919, the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan has been located in the Ushkova House. You can get inside with a guided tour (record on the spot or by phone).

Bauman Street

Bauman Street — the central pedestrian street of the city, called Kazansky Arbat. It starts from Millennium Square near the Kazan Kremlin and ends at Tukay Square. The total length is about 2 km. A walk along Bauman Street will introduce you to the architecture of the 17th-20th centuries.

Historical mosaic of Baumanskaya street Admire merchant Moscow and hear a story about the German Quarter and its inhabitants

Historical buildings of Bauman Street

The Epiphany Cathedral and the bell towerSt. John the Baptist MonasterySt. Nicholas CathedralDrama Theatre. V.I.Kachalov's houseSolomin-Smolin's houseCity Magistrate's buildingPrint HouseNational Bank

The dominant feature of Bauman Street is the bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral. Its height is 74 meters. It took 2 million bricks to build the bell tower. We climbed the stairs to the observation deck (100 rubles), from where the entire Bauman Street and the central district are clearly visible.

The opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin was baptized in the Epiphany Cathedral, and the nearby hotel is named after him. Shalyapin Palace Hotel is popular for its location and atmosphere — spacious classic rooms, a bar with live piano music.

Monuments on Bauman Street

Modern monuments, fountains and sculptures installed throughout Bauman Street serve as photo points, places for meetings and making wishes.

Clock (Tukaya Square) Fountain-monument of Su Anasy (86 Bauman St.) Pigeon Fountain (45 Bauman St.) Monument to Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin (78 Bauman St.) Fountain with frogs (58 Bauman St.) Horse in a coat (Bauman St. 56) Kilometer Zero of Kazan (19 Bauman St.) Catherine II's Carriage (17 Bauman St.) Monument to the Cat of Kazan (44 Bauman St.) Horse-Country (22 Bauman St.)

Bauman St. &#8212 ; a real tourist street, where shops, restaurants and cafes sell souvenirs at every step. The Tourist Information Center of Kazan is located at the address: st. Bauman 49.

Old Tatar Sloboda

Old Tatar Sloboda — an authentic corner in the center of Kazan. This historic area on the left bank of Lake Kaban was founded in 1552 and inhabited by freedom-loving Tatars. Tatar industrialists, merchants of the first and second guilds, clergy and intelligentsia (scientists, writers, doctors) lived in the Old Tatar Sloboda.

Now it is an open-air museum, where the national flavor and atmosphere of old Kazan are especially felt. Here is the shortest street in the city and the oldest mosque in the capital of Tatarstan.

Sights of the Old Tatar settlement

Mardzhani MosqueYunusov-Apanaev HouseShamil HouseKunche StreetMuseum of Chak-Chak

During tours of the Old Tatar Sloboda, guides talk about the everyday life of Kazan Tatars, their traditions and religion. You can finish the walk with a tea party with Tatar pastries or a master class. book a tour

Staro-Tatarskaya Sloboda and the secrets of Lake Kaban Get acquainted with the life, culture and customs of the Kazan Tatars on a walk along the historical street

There are several small hotels in the Old Tatar settlement:

Tatar ManorOld TownKaushchiKarat House

Kaban Lake Embankment

The photogenic embankment of Lake Kaban starts from the Theater Square. Kamala. According to legend, Khan's gold is buried in the lake. People come to Lake Kaban to walk, meet sunrises and see off sunsets. We came here in the evening.

Until 1980, Lake Kaban was considered the dirtiest lake in the city — industrial waste was dumped into it. Now it has been cleaned and landscaped, 12.5 thousand plants and trees have been planted along the banks, but swimming is still not allowed.

A light-musical fountain beats from the lake, the townspeople and guests of the city ride boats and catamarans, feed ducks, sit in summer cafes overlooking the Old Tatar settlement. On a modern playground, children learn about fluid mechanics in a playful way.

The next two sights of Kazan are located on the other side of the Kazanka River. You can get to them along the Kremlin dam. A large number of bus and trolleybus routes pass along the dam, and an underground metro line is laid in parallel.

Kazan Family Center

The new landmark and symbol of the city of Kazan was built in 2013 year. Kazan Family Center — this is the registry office, on top of which there is an observation deck 32 meters high. From above you can clearly see the Kazan Kremlin, the Kremlin embankment, the old and new parts of Kazan.

A multi-level lawn was laid out in front of the center and a sculptural composition “He and She” was installed, symbolizing family values. In the evening, “Kazan” is illuminated with red lights, similar to flames.

From the center of the family «Kazan» a river trip on a motor ship along the Kazanka River begins. Mini-cruise lasting 1 hour accompanied by the stories of the guide. buy a ticket

Kazan Riviera

The largest hotel and entertainment complex in Kazan was included in this list not by chance. A modern year-round center with a water park, a Ferris wheel and a hotel is popular not only among Kazan residents, but also among guests of the city.

We arrived in the Riviera on a hot June day to ride the Ferris wheel and really regretted not bringing our swimwear. Visit the Kazan Riviera with the whole family, or better yet, stay at the «Riviera» hotel to take advantage of all the benefits.

Hotel «Riviera»

Hotel building «Riviera» is the highest in Kazan. There is an observation deck on the 25th floor at a height of 100 meters. The hotel is located in close proximity to sports facilities: the Tatneft Arena ice palace, the water sports palace, the AkBars Arena stadium. The Riviera Hotel has 210 rooms of various categories with panoramic views of the river and the Kazan Kremlin. see prices

Waterpark «Riviera»

On the territory of the water park «Riviera» there are more than 50 different attractions, water slides, a slow river, an 80-meter heated pool, a year-round outdoor pool, a SPA zone. Summer open beach «Riviera» equipped with sun loungers.

Prices for visiting the water park on weekdays and Sundays are the best — from 1190 rubles for a full day and 650 rubles for 2 hours. Children under 4 years old or height up to 120 cm are admitted free.

Ferris Wheel «Around the World»

The Kazan Ferris wheel consists of 36 comfortable cabins, each of which is dedicated to one of the cities in the world. We rode in «Tokyo». The interior design of the booths reflects the atmosphere of their city and country: photographs and national music. Breathtaking panoramas of the Kazan Kremlin and the water area open up from above.

A tour of Kazan at night with a ride on a Ferris wheel

The ticket price for the Around the World Ferris wheel depends on the time/day of the week and the number circles. On weekdays until 18:00 cheaper. Children under 4 years old or height below 100 cm are admitted free of charge accompanied by adults.

Entertainment complex «Kazanskaya Riviera» also includes 5D and 3D cinemas, a bowling alley, a karaoke bar, a concert hall, a fitness club, concept restaurants and cafes.