Kazan offers different ways to explore its history: the Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Old Tatar Quarter, a historic district; and paths by the water or through green spaces.
The Kremlin: architecture and cultural history
The Kazan Kremlin is the oldest part of the city. Its historic and architectural complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as a unique testament to the interaction of cultures and traditions. The grounds are home to the Qol Sharif Mosque, the main mosque of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Museum of Islamic Culture is located in the mosque’s basement. It introduces the fundamentals of Islam, its influence on the history and culture of the Tatar people, and the Muslim traditions of the peoples of the Volga region.
The Hermitage-Kazan Centre was the first branch of the State Hermitage Museum. It opened in 2005 as a department of the Kazan Kremlin Museum-Reserve and is located on the third floor of the former Cadet School building, dating from the 19th century. Its cultural and educational programme includes general and thematic tours, lectures, workshops, quests, quizzes and other activities for all age groups.
The Old Tatar Quarter: a district steeped in history
The Old Tatar Quarter lies in central Kazan between Lake Nizhny Kaban and the Bulak Canal. Old mosques, merchant houses, madrasas and distinctive streets define this historic district, one of the main centres of Tatar urban culture. Its history began to take shape in the second half of the 16th century: after Kazan was captured in 1552, the Tatar population was relocated from the upper part of the city to the shores of Lake Kaban.
The district developed particularly rapidly in the second half of the 18th century. After Catherine II’s visit in 1767 and the 1773 decree “On the Tolerance of All Faiths,” construction began on stone mosques, madrasas, merchant courtyards and public buildings. In the 19th century, the quarter became an important commercial, spiritual and cultural centre of Kazan. The Oriental Club, based there, hosted literary evenings; the first Tatar theatre performances were also staged here.
The Al-Marjani Mosque was built from 1766 to 1770 at Catherine II’s behest and funded by members of the congregation. Its construction is one of the district’s defining chapters in the city’s history. The quarter’s themed museums include the Chak-Chak Museum, the Tea Museum, the Gabdulla Tukay Literary Museum, the Tatar Bride House Museum, the Echpochmak House Museum and the Kayum Nasyri House Museum.
The Kayum Nasyri Memorial Museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Tatar scholar, enlightener and educator Kayum Nasyri (1825–1902). The interactive programme “Tea Drinking in the Old Tatar Quarter” introduces visitors to traditions of hospitality. Visitors can also learn about the history of everyday Tatar life and culinary traditions, see old household items and take part in tastings or master classes.
Walks and more to discover
Bauman Street is Kazan’s main pedestrian thoroughfare and a clear landmark for finding your way around the city. For walks and relaxation by the water, the Kremlin Embankment is one of Kazan’s most picturesque spots. Walking paths along the Kaban Lake Embankment run right above the water; visitors can also watch birds that have returned to the cleaned-up ecosystem.
For a different setting, head to the wooded area of Gorky Park, with paths for walking, sports and cycling. Meanwhile, every hall in the Museum of Natural History of Tatarstan features interactive and tactile exhibits. Kazan therefore offers everything from historic buildings and museums to paths by the water and through the forest, without requiring visitors with different interests to experience the city in the same way.
Discover more destinations: Arsky District, Kukmorskiy rayon, Verkhneuslonskiy rayon, Mendeleyevsky District, Zainskiy rayon, Mendeleevskiy rayon, Agryzsky District, Rybno-Slobodskiy rayon.
Back to the main travel guide: Republic of Tatarstan.
