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Epiphany Cathedral & Belltower in Kazan photo by Artem Korzhimanov-

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Epiphany Cathedral’s Bell Tower

Bell towers are captivating pieces of architecture found in some of the most beautiful buildings in cities all over the world. Bell towers house large cast bronze bells that chime loudly so that you can hear them throughout a city.

They traditionally were attached to civic centres or town hall buildings because they were usually located toward the centre of town. They could also be constructed to stand alone in parks or other campuses.

Originally bell towers served the utilitarian purpose of informing the citizens of the town or city of the time, when special events like weddings or funerals were happening and even alerted them of dangerous situations, like fires or floods.

Their size was a significant part of their construction because the higher the bell tower, the further away people could hear it. Bigger cities tended to have larger bell towers. Some of the most famous bell towers in the world are the Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy and the bell tower at Notre Dame in 麻豆APP, France.

In modern times, bell towers are used as a decorative ornament that can enhance any local landscape. A lot of cities, towns, universities and company compounds have all had bell towers installed on their grounds because they are very useful and people love the sound of their alluring chime.

The designs might have been updated through the years, but the old-world appeal is very much alive in today鈥檚 bell towers. They are a very tasteful addition that can make a very distinct impression on any passersby.

On the pedestrian Bauman street, there is a place from which an incredible view of the central part of Kazan can be seen. This is an observation deck on the bell tower of the epiphany cathedral, the tallest ancient building in the city.

Every Kazan resident including religious and secular people, orthodox believers and Muslims admire the Epiphany cathedral鈥檚 bell tower as it is simply called the 鈥淓piphany Tower鈥�. It is very memorable and easily recognizable by all Kazan visitors.

The Epiphany Cathedral is a striking red brick church in the middle of the Bauman pedestrian street, the church is seen almost from anywhere with its high bell tower. Despite the cathedral being a general architectural sight to marvel at, the bell tower in itself has become an independent architectural monument.

Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Epiphany Cathedral Bell Tower.

1. The bell tower鈥檚 construction completed in 1897

Kazan, str. Baumana, d. 72. Dom kuptsa 1st guild Salikha Gubaidullina photo by Engelberthumperdink –

Founded in the 17th century, the Epiphany cathedral and bell tower is a prominent view when walking down Bauman street. It was designed in the Russian Baroque style, and after some time an attic, a cupola, a dining room and a belfry were added.

No other bell tower in Kazan matches its height and beauty, making it more famous than the church itself. It houses a wonderful collection of valuable icons and relics of metropolitan Alexy.

2. The bell towers鈥� best architectural design was announced in 1893

In 1893, a competition was announced for the best architectural design for the epiphany cathedral bell tower. The authorship of the project is still a controversial issue. The drawing of the bell tower with the author鈥檚 signature has not survived.

3. The tower is suspended on the city鈥檚 highest ancient building

Epiphany Cathedral in Kazan (19.06.2006). photo by sergfokin –

This impressive bell tower, standing some 74 meters high, is visible all along the pedestrian promenade of Ul Baumana. The tower dates from the late 19th century and can be climbed for impressive views out around the central city. There is no other high bell tower in Kazan or other cities along the Volga river.

4. The bell tower was made up of 2,000,000 bricks

pile of bricks ready for transport in Oeffelt, the Netherlands photo by Wouterhagens –

According to Archpriest Alexes Derzhavin 鈥� abbot of the cathedral, the bell tower was made up of 2,000,000 bricks. Inside it, the church of John the Baptist, the patron saint of heaven patron Ivan Krivonosov was opened. The cathedral as well as the observation was closed down in the 1930s and was only restored in 2016.

5. The towers construction funds were donated by merchants

In 1731-1756, a new epiphany church with a hipped bell tower was built from stone. Funds for the construction were donated by merchants Mikhlyaev and Chernov. In 1741, after the fire, only the walls remained of the church.

In 1756, the construction of the church was completed. Later on, a refractory was added to the church which increased the volume of the temple that is now the Bell tower.

6. The bell tower construction took only two years to complete.

Epiphany Cathedral & Belltower in Kazan photo by Artem Korzhimanov-

Construction of the large Bell tower from the south-east which is the first thing seen today was one of the most important events in the 19th-century orthodox life in Kazan. It took only two years from 1895 to 1897, for architect Mikhail Mikhailov to build the bell tower.

It was financially supported by the merchant Ivan Krivonosov who died in 1892 before the construction even began.

7. The bell tower surpassed the cathedral in brick d茅cor sophistication

Epiphany Cathedral in Kazan (19.06.2006). photo by sergfokin –

The bell tower surpassed the Epiphany cathedral in sophistication and richness of brick d茅cor. D茅cor details are skillfully made or curved red brick. In the architecture, the bell tower, arched openings with sandrails, kokoshniks in the upper tiers and half-columns with overlapping octal edges were used.

The magnificent composition and skillfully laid out d茅cor made the bell tower of the epiphany cathedral one of the symbols of Kazan. In 1997, the restoration of the bell tower was carried out.

8. Its ground floor has always been occupied by trade outlets

The ground floor of the bell tower had always been occupied by trade outlets, this was a common occurrence for old Russian churches and belfries endowed by merchants

9. The bell tower was once struck by lightning

Photo by Max LaRochelle on

A violent thunderstorm passed over the city in 1901 and the bell tower was struck by lightning. Newspapers during those days wrote, that the bell tower was lit up with so many colourful sparks for a moment, and suddenly the third-tier ceiling caught fire. At the same time, beams under the big bell were blazed up.

The lightning made a big hole in the wall which was a quarter and a half deep (about 300m or 12 inches) and 71cm (30 inches) wide. Stone chips and whole bricks covered the stairs and floor of the second tier and broke two columns.

10. It has an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the city

View of Kazan from the Kazan Kremlin in October 2021. photo by Amikeco –

The bell tower plays a large role in displaying the panoramic view of the city. The bell tower is the highest of all the ancient buildings of Kazan and plays a critical role in displaying most of the attractions of the city seen from the top. In Kazan and on the Volga river, no more towers of this height have been built.