During this tour you will see the white stone walls of the Kazan Kremlin, the Old Tatar Settlement, the Tatar State Academic Theatre, Kremlevskaya Street with the main building of the Kazan Federal University and the Aleksandrovsky Passage, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Liberty Square with the Opera and Ballet theatre and Concert hall.
During the city tour you’ll also visit the Kazan Kremlin, the heart of the city.
Kazan, located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia, is the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. It is one of Russia’s largest cities with the population over 1.1million, a major industrial, commercial and cultural center.
Kazan is the city of a 1,000 year-long history. The city was founded as early as the 12th century, though some experts believe that the Kazan history dates back to the earlier period. It was destroyed several times as a result of great fires. After one of them in 1579, the icon of Our Lady of Kazan was discovered in the city after the Blessed Virgin Mary herself had reportedly revealed its location to a little girl. It is considered a holy icon which the Russian Orthodox Church venerates the most. It has been considered a palladium of Russia for centuries.
Kazan is often referred to as a meeting point of the East and the West, both equally contributed to the city’s outlook producing a bizarre mix of European, Russian and Oriental cultures. No wonder, one can see side by side mosques and churches, Islam and Christian historical monuments. The city is famous for its museums, art galleries, opera and ballet, conservatoire, national and international festivals. In the past few years the city has noticeably changed: there are new parks, hotels, night clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants.
Kazan highlights
The Kazan Kremlin. The city boasts a beautiful citadel called the Kremlin, built by Tzar Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the former castle of Kazan khans. In 2000 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kazan Kremlin includes many ancient buildings, the oldest of which is the Annunciation Cathedral. The cathedral bell tower resembles the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in Moscow. From the walls of the Kremlin one can admire a picturesque view of the Volga River and see a modern entertaining complex “Pyramid” created in the hi-tech style.
Suyumbike Tower, the city’s most conspicuous landmark was named after the last queen of Kazan. Once the highest structure of the city, it is one of the so called leaning towers.
Kul-Sharif Mosque is the largest mosque in Russia built inside the Kazan Kremlin in the 16th century. Since 1996 the mosque has been under reconstruction. Its inauguration on July 24, 2005 marked the beginning of celebrations dedicated to the Millennium of Kazan. Nowadays the mosque houses the Museum of Islam. However during major Muslim festivities the Museum serves as a mosque which usually gathers thousands of worshipers.
Bauman Street is a starting a point of any sightseeing tour of Kazan. Located in the historic centre of the city Bauman Street houses various constructions from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including magnificent Epiphany Bell Tower and Church, the State Bank, the House of Press, the Bolshoi Drama Russian Theatre, numerous cafes and restaurants. One can also find fancy sculptural compositions and fountains created on the motives of Tatar legends. Bauman Street is a good place for souvenir shopping.
The Tatar Settlement with its narrow streets, wooden houses and carved fences preserves the atmosphere of old-time Kazan.
Fine Arts Museum offers a rich collection of painting, graphics, sculpture and applied art. The Museum also boasts expositions of various archeological findings, which date the 7th – 8th centuries and belonged to the period of ancient Bulgars, ancestors of Kazan Tatars. On display are silver ornaments, gold and semiprecious stones, colorful embroidery on towels, national footwear decorated with multi-colored leather mosaic.
The Kazan University is one of oldest universities in Russia, founded in 1804. After Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is the third biggest educational and scientific centre, also famous for its library containing about 5 million ancient manuscripts and books.
All rates are subject to change and must be confirmed before booking.
Services Included:
- excursions according to the program with local English speaking guide and entrance tickets
- transfers & transportation according to the program
Services Not Included:
