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A photo of a view of Kazan Kremlin by Salih. melikoglu –

10 Best Facts about Kazan Kremlin

Kazan Kremlin is the chief historical citadel in Russia. Kazan Kremlin dates back to the 10th century. It’s the chief historical citadel of Russia. It is situated in the city of Kazan hence the name Kazan Kremlin.

Its authenticity has been attested by several historical chronicles and historical writings such as “the Nikon Chronicle and many others.” In the article are the top ten best facts about Kazan Kremlin.

1. Kazan was built under the request of Ivan the Terrible

The person who is accredited for the existence of the great historic citadel in Russia is Ivan the Terrible. He was a grand prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547. He also was the first Tsar of all of Russia from 1547 to 1584.

The citadel was built on the ruins of the former castle of Kazan khans. Kazan khans are the rulers who ruled the Khanate of Kazan before it was occupied by Russia. khanate of Kazan was a medieval Tatar Turkic state. The territory of former Volga Bulgaria between 1438 and 1552 occupied the Khanate of Kazan.

2. Annunciation Church is in Kazan Kremlin

A photo of Annunciation Church at Kazan Kremlin by A.Savin –

The many buildings in Kazan Kremlin are very old and most of them appear in the list of historical buildings. The oldest building is the Annunciation Cathedral. It dates back to 1554-64.

It is the only 16th-century Russian church to have six piers and five apses. Annunciation Cathedral is constructed of a local pale sandstone rather than brick. However, many of Kazan’s buildings are built of local pale.

3. Soyembika Tower is a landmark in Kazan Kremlin

A photo of Soyembika Tower at Kazan Kremlin by Vyacheslav Kirillin –

The tower is the most conspicuous landmark of the Kazan Kremlin. Soyembika Tower is a 16th-century minaret built as a monument of Tatar medieval architecture. The tower dates back to the reign of Peter the Great. Note that Peter the Great is the one behind the Peterhof Palace.

Peter the Great is also the winner of the Great Northern War where he managed to annex some parts of Sweden’s provinces and established them as Russia’s territory. A well-known legend connects the tower with the last queen of the Khanate of Kazan.

4. Spasskaya Tower is a recognizable architectural feature

A photo of the Spasskaya Tower by 袛芯斜褉褘泄 孝懈袩 –

The tower anchors the southern end of the Kremlin and serves as the main entrance to the Kremlin. Spasskaya is named after the Spassky Monastery which is located nearby. Note that Spassky Monastery is the remaining Monastery in Kazan Kremlin.

Among the monastery’s buildings were the Church of Saint Nicholas 1560s, (four piers), and the Cathedral of the Savior’S Transfiguration (1590s, six piers). The two monasteries were destroyed by the Communists during Joseph Stalin’s rule. So, it was easy to name the Spasskaya Tower after the rema8ning tower.

5. Governor’s House is in Kazan Kremlin

Governor’s House photo by A.Savin –

The Governor’s House is also called the Governor’s Palace. The place was built in 1845-1848. Originally, the palace was built as the house of the military Governor with premises of imperial apartments. It is built in the so-called style of Byzantine Style. The palace was designed by Konstantin Thon.

The palace is now the Palace of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan. Tatarstan is a republic within Russia. This was after it was completely renovated in 1998-2001. The palace is believed to be built on the ancient site of the former Khan’s palace.

6. The Kul Sharif Mosque was rebuilt in the citadel

Kul Sharif Mosque photo by Ilya Tsvetkov –

The mosque was reputed at the time of its construction as one of the largest mosques in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul. Originally, the mosque was built in the Kazan Kremlin in the 16t-century. It is named after Kul Sharif, a religious scholar who lived there.

The mosque was destroyed by Russian forces in 1552. This was during the Siege of Kazan. The mosque though was destroyed by Russian forces under the command of Ivan the Terrible. Kul Sharif died together with numerous of his students while defending the mosque.

Several countries contributed to the fund that was used to set up to rebuild the mosque. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were amongst the countries that contributed the fund for reconstruction. The mosque predominantly serves as a museum of Islam and also a prayer sanctuary during major Muslim celebrations.

7. The Secret Tower

The Northern wall of the Kremlin contains another gated tower, the Secret Tower. The tower is given the name because it is used to house a secret water supply well. Pedestrians can use the tower when entering the Kremlin but vehicles are restricted. Vehicles use the Secret Tower during emergencies only.

8. Celebrations of the opening of The Kul Sharif Mosque were held in Kazan Kremlin

As stated early Kul Sharif Mosque is the biggest mosque in Europe. The celebrations were held on 24 June 2005. Roughly 17, 000 people gathered in Kremlin for the celebrations. Delegations from 40 countries attended the event.

According to Mintimer Shaeymiev, Tatarstan President, the Kul Sharif Mosque was a new symbol of Kazan and Tatarstan. It was a bridge connecting their past and future.

9. The Kazan Kremlin is the last extant Tatar fortress

A photo of Kazan Kremlin by Artem Murugov –

The citadel has traces of its original town-planning conception in Russia. This historical citadel is a result of the interaction of various cultures like the Bulgar, Golden Horde, medieval Kazan-Tatar, Italian, Russian, and modern Tatar.

It is the northwestern limit of the spread of Islam, and the southern extremity of the Pskov-Novgorod style. The unique synthesis of Tatar and Russian architectural styles. It is inseparable from its surroundings and the original city.

10. Kazan Kremlin dates back to the Islamic period

A photo of Kazan Kremlin by 挟褋懈锌芯胁 袥懈薪邪褉 –

In the 10th-13th centuries, Kazan was a pre-Mongol Bulgar city with a fortified trading settlement. It was surrounded by moats, ramparts, and a stockade. The Islamic period is explained in the history of Volga Bulgaria, the Golden Horde, and the Kazan Khanate.

In the first half of the 15th century, it became the capital of the state and an active political, military, administrative, commercial, and cultural center. It was conquered in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible and became the Christian See of the Volga Land and the East.

Kazan Kremlin citadel is the centerpiece of the composition of the central part of Kazan City. It has formed the basis of the continuous development of the city. The historic citadel represents an exceptional testimony of the Khanate period. Be sure to visit the citadel since it is the only surviving Tartar fortress with traces of the original town plan.