Straddling Asia and Europe, Kazan city amazes. The Orient evokes a mix of fragrances and tastes, Kazan is the right place to sense it. Its name translates to English as cooking pot, and, being there, you are constantly reminded of this culinary appellation by the kaleidoscopic jambalaya of architecture styles, cuisines and cultures. Its minarets peek over the Tsarist and Soviet built residential areas with golden-domed belfries giving even more color and sound to the scenic surroundings.
Centuries-older then Moscow, Kazan, is an exquisite blend of buildings, stories, and breathtaking vistas washed by two great rivers, the Kama and the Volga, the latter at some points being about 40 km wide.
Since its conquest by the Russians under Ivan the Terrible Russian influence and presence is acutely felt in everything from buildings to food but its Eastern spirit, best felt in the city’s old quarter can’t be mistaken for anything else. Head to Kazan to unveil the Russian Orient on your Kazan trip!
Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan. Even though about 1.5 million of the Republic of Tatarstan ’s are Russians, the majority are Tatars. Apart from their language, distinct from the Russian and closer to Altaic Turkic and other Turkic tongues, they have their own traditions, values, food, dresses, and religion.
Kazan has a wide choice of accommodation. From 5 star hotels, boutique hotels to simpler options such as hostels and Couchsurfings.
Kazan tourism industry is prospering due to the abundance of significant historical sites.
Seat of the republic government, The Kremlin is strewn with museums and pieces of cultural heritage. Its green areas provide shade in abundance during hot summer days. It gives onto the majestic mighty Volga and is one of the symbol’s of Tatarstan uniqueness, housing both Islamic and Christian holy places. Its gigantic Kul Sharif mosques sits near the picturesque blue-domed Annunciation Cathedral built in the Old Russian style.
The construction of The Kul Sharif Mosque was finished only in 2005.
The scenic Kremlin embankment is a walkway along the city’s beautiful river. The promenade extends from the walls of the Kremlin fortress to the Kazan National Cultural Centre. The prom is split into two stretches. One is for pedestrian use only and the other is consecrated to recreational activities. In summer the latter is used for cycling, skating and other outdoor activities whilst in winter, it is home to Europe’s longest ice-rink, along with many winter fairs, New Year’s shows, and many more. The rental stations are situated right there. From the riverside you can gaze at the splendid Kremlin or if in not in a contemplating mood, do some work-outs, at the embankment’s sports facilities. In short, you will always find things to do in Kazan if you start with the embankment.
Located near bus-station, it is one of the city’s most tranquil pieces of greenery. The park is small but is agreeable to walk in. It may be appealing to a newcomer for it gives a strong sense of the Russian periphery with its quite and secluded alleys.
Connecting the Kremlin with the city’s main piazza, Tukay Square, it is Kazan’s main walking street. It is the center of the dynamic urban life and is famed for its night and eating establishments, shops and centrally located accommodation.
The quintessence of eclecticism it is a strong rival to the Vietnamese Divine Temple at Tay Ninh, where Victor Hugo share sainthood with Confucious and many others. The Temple of All Religions’ somewhat out-of-town location, 10km northwest of Kazan overlooking Volga, renders it an even more spectacular sight. Even though still uncompleted, the brainchild of Ildar Khanov is a testimony to the Republic of Tatarstan’s open-mindedness and acceptance of all new, however foreign. The truly cosmopolitan place of worship shines in shades from soft green to yellow, its domes looking like generous spiral ice creams.
Visit Kazan to explore the land where Russian civilization meets that of the nomads and sedentary tribes of the Steppe, the descendants of bellicose Chingizids. Here the vast expanses of the flat unforested grasslands coexist with seemingly boundless expanses of Russia’s great rivers, and hospitality is expressed through copious meals, passionate dances and expansive talks.
