Kazan is a city in whose architecture two civilizations intertwined, because throughout its long history the current capital of Tatarstan has been an intermediary between west and east and has played a crucial role in shaping international cultural and economic ties.
In what other city do Muslim and Orthodox religious buildings coexist so harmoniously? This largely determines the flavor of this place.
Kazan is one of the largest Russian cities and the capital of Tatarstan, located on the banks of the Volga (on the left). There are many temples and Orthodox churches in the capital of Tatarstan. Moreover, the ancient churches of Kazan are restored every year and new ones appear. In this article, we will be able to introduce you to just a few of them.
Churches of Kazan (addresses, description) are presented in almost all city guides, but we will tell you about the most interesting of them.
Peter and Paul Cathedral of Kazan (Musa Jalil St., 21)
During the reign of Peter I, many wonderful churches were created in Russia. The Peter and Paul Cathedral in the capital of Tatarstan is one of the brightest examplesarchitecture of that period, although for regional architecture it can rather be considered exceptional.
This cathedral has always been the most impressive, taking pride of place in the necklace of city temples. It was visited by all Russian emperors (the only exception was Nicholas II) and, regardless of their religion, many famous people who visited Kazan. Descriptions of this unique building can be found in the works of Alexander Dumas and Alexander Humboldt, A. S. Pushkin visited here, and F. I. Chaliapin sang in the cathedral choir.
Kul-Sharif Mosque (Kremlevskaya St., 13)
This is the main mosque not only in Kazan, but also in Tatarstan. Its construction was completed in 2005, and the completion was timed to coincide with the millennium of Kazan. Architects and builders planned to recreate the ancient mosque of the Kazan Khanate, which was destroyed in 1552 by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. And, I must say, they coped with the task brilliantly.
The mosque was named after the last imam. The winners of the republican competition were engaged in design and construction. The grand opening took place in 2005.
The composition of the temple is symmetrical. It is flanked by two pavilions that connect it with the architecture of the nearby cadet school building.
The mosque can accommodate one and a half thousand people at the same time. Its interiors were designed by A. G. Satarov. Marble and granite were used in the decoration. Carpets donated to the templethe government of Iran. The crystal chandelier, with a diameter of more than 5 m, was made to order in the Czech Republic from colored glass. It weighs over 2 tons.
Church of the Great Martyr Paraskeva (Big Red, 1/2)
The churches of Kazan are all very different both in architectural design and in interior decoration. This church was erected in 1730 at the expense of I. A. Mikhlyaev. Often it is called Pyatnitskaya, after the name of the left aisle in honor of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa.
The temple is a high octagon, located on a squat quadrangle, which occupies the upper area. A small dome was created above the vault, sitting on a deaf faceted drum. A large semicircular apse below the quadrangle covers it from the east. Down the slope, a one-story refectory descends, to which the northern aisle adjoins. The surviving lower tier of the bell tower is buried in the refectory.
The decoration of this Kazan church is rather concise. The walls are fixed at the corners with enveloping blades. They seem to cut through rare, symmetrically located rectangular windows, decorated with curly platbands.
Temple of all religions (Old Arakchino village, 4)
I am glad that the modern places of worship of the city are no less beautiful than the buildings created by ancient masters. In the village of Staroe Arakchino, located on the banks of the Volga, there is an amazing temple, which is considered one of the unique buildings in Russia. The temple has another name - the Temple of the Seven Religions.
This is a unique complex of buildings, which consists of Catholic and Orthodoxchurches, Buddhist and Muslim mosques, synagogues, Chinese pagodas and even altars of religions that have now disappeared. It was not created at all in order to gather representatives of various faiths under one roof. The temple is evidence that it is possible to unite all faiths in one building.
The author of the project is Ildar Khanov, who is a well-known public figure of Tatarstan, an architect, artist and healer. He traveled a lot, visited Tibet and India, where he got acquainted with the cultural heritage of the East, studied ancient Chinese and Tibetan medicine, Buddhism, and yoga. After returning from trips, he felt the gift of a healer.
Church of the Yaroslavl Wonderworkers (25 Nikolai Ershov St.)
This Kazan church was named after the holy princes Fyodor, Konstantin and David in 1796. The chapel of the temple was consecrated in the name of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The left chapel, consecrated in the name of the saint, Patriarch of Tsaregrad, was added in 1843. A year later (1844) the right aisle was rebuilt.
Interestingly, from 1938 to 1946 this temple was the only one operating in the city, so it was considered a cathedral. During the war years, clothes and funds for the soldiers of the Soviet army were collected here. The church was the only one that was not closed during the Soviet period. Today, she is one of the most revered in the city.
