Kazan - Russia

Kazan is a city in the Republic of Tatarstan. It’s the sixth largest city ion Russia and has a population of around 1.2 million inhabitants. It lies at the confluence of the Volga and the Kazanka rivers. In 2005 the city was celebrating its 1000th Anniversary. The city has warm and sunny summer. Kazan is the cultural center of the Tatars and is the capital of Tatarstan. Its population is half Russian and half Tatar. There are so mnay things to do in Kazan and around that one day is not enough to visit everything.

The Kremlin and The Kul Sharif Mosque

The Kazan Kremlin is a World Heritage Site. It has an Islamic character with the Mosque located inside. The Kul Sharif Mosque is also one of the largest mosques in Europe.

Kul-Sharif Mosque in Kazan — Kul-Sharif Mosque

Kul-Sharif Mosque with its illuminations at night

You have to visit the inside of the Mosque. It’s as so impressive as the building. As you can see below the inside of the Mosque is also really impressive. Beautiful stained glass windows and mosaics are everywhere.

Stained glass inside the Kul Sharif Mosque

The Bauman street

The main street of Kazan is the Bauman street (улица Баумана). It’s named after Nikolay Bauman. The street exists since the 15th Century. It’s a pedestrian street starting from the Kremlin. The street is made with beautiful multicolours bricks. It’s full of shops, restaurants and street musicians.

Bauman street during a quiet day — Bauman street

At the end of the Bauman street the is a tower called Epiphany Cathedral’s Bell Tower. It’s possible to go to the top to have a nice view of all the city. it’s possible to see the Mosque and the Spasskaya Tower.

Sunset on the Bauman street from the Epiphany Cathedral's Bell Tower — Sunset over the Bauman street from the Epiphany Cathedral’s Bell Tower

Kaban Lakes

The Kaban lakes are a system of lakes in Kazan. The building in the background of the pictures below is the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication.

sunset on the Kaban Lake. — Fountain in Kaban Lake

Kazanka River

There is another river in Kazan. it’s the Kazanka river (Казанка река). It goes to the Volga in Kazan. As the weather during the summer is very nice and allow walk along the Kazanka river. On the other we can see the Koleso Obozreniya with is Ferris Wheel.

Sviyazhsk

Around 20km from Kazan, along the Volga Sviyazhsk is a small island town. It’s worth to visit. It’s an Island town (evne if it’s in fact connected to the mainland).