Chistopol is a city located in the east of the Russian Plain, on the banks of the Kama River (the left tributary of the Volga). Despite the remote situation, thousands of tourists flock to it every year, not only from Russia, but also from other countries. The main attractions of Chistopol are the architectural structures of past centuries. The surrounding area is very picturesque.
General Information and Economics
Chistopol is a city of regional significance, the center of the Chistopol district of the Republic of Tatarstan. It is located 135 km southeast of Kazan. The city is located on the left bank of the river. Kama, in the area of ββthe Kuibyshev reservoir. The nearest major railway runs 125 km to the north (station Nurlat).
The population of the city is not very numerous: in Russia, the city takes 272 place in terms of the number of inhabitants. At the moment, it registered 61 thousand people. Sights of Chistopol, described in this article, are an important component of life.
The city economy is associated with the activities of industrial enterprises. There are factories for maintenance, food industry enterprises (meat, fish, dairy, bakery). A large number of factories and factories determine the employment structure of the local population: most citizens work in production.
Climatic conditions
The climate of the city is moderately cold, continental, typical of the eastern part of the European Plain. The temperature averaged over the year is about + 4 degrees, the annual rainfall is about 550 mm. The minimum amount of precipitation falls in March (26 mm), the maximum - in July (72 mm). The coldest month is January (-13 Β° C), the warmest is July (up to + 20 Β° C).
Climatic and soil conditions favor the cultivation of many crops, with the exception of heat-loving ones.
History of the city
Initially, the city was a village called the Clean Field. It was first described in chronicles at the turn of the 17-18 centuries. This name is due to the fact that the original settlement, organized by runaway peasants, was burned and then rebuilt. Since 1781, it received the status of a city, which was named Chistopol, later renamed Chistopol.
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Chistopol was a regional center of grain trade. In the 20th century, industrial production was actively developing. During the Great Patriotic War, the city became the home of a number of famous writers hiding from the war: Anna Akhmatova, Arseny Tarkovsky, Boris Pasternak, Nikolai Aseev. The house where Pasternak lived subsequently acquired the status of the Memorial Museum of the writer.
Sights of Chistopol: photos and description
The city has many historical, cultural and architectural structures. Basically, they have the status of regional attractions. Thousands of tourists from Russia and other countries visit this city annually. Nevertheless, the sights of Chistopol are mostly of regional importance.
Cathedrals
One of the most popular sites in Chistopol is St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was built in 1838. The building quickly collapsed, so in 1901 a serious restoration was carried out. St. Nicholas Cathedral is considered one of the most valuable historical sites of Tatarstan. It is made in white and blue colors, in the style of classicism. Until 1990, it was used as a warehouse for building materials, which was typical of the Soviet era. After 1990, it was used for its intended purpose, work was carried out to restore the building. The cathedral is located at: st. Karl Marx, 2.
The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God was built in the 19th century. It is a small tower building around which a cemetery is located. In the Soviet years, the church was often closed to visitors, and during the Great Patriotic War was used as a prison. The snow-white building of the church is one of the favorite places of citizens.
The Nur Mosque is considered one of the oldest in Tatarstan. It is made of wood in a traditional local style and lined with pine trees. The mosque is always open to parishioners, and it is also a historical monument.
Beautiful buildings
Boris Pasternak House Museum is one of Chistopol's most interesting landmarks. and it is a small mansion that has well preserved the original appearance and interior. The writer lived here during the Great Patriotic War with his family. The house was transformed into a museum by decision of local authorities in the year of the centenary of the writer.
In the museum you can get acquainted with things, objects, documents, photographs, personal notes of Pasternak. Among them are books, a flask, a snuffbox, family photos. For the museum was allocated the second floor of the building. The museum is located at: st. Lenin, 81. Tens of thousands of people visit him annually.
Some sights of Chistopol, photos of which are presented in the article, known for their unique architecture. Such is the house of the merchant Melnikov. The building cannot be called ancient - it was built relatively recently. Nevertheless, he is considered an unofficial visiting card of Chistopol.
This building is painted white with a gray edging, and a spire is installed on its roof. The history of the building is connected with the success of the local merchant Melnik. With the proceeds, it was decided to erect an unusual building for those times. The original design and subtlety of design to this day distinguish it from other Chistopol houses. Now this house is considered a public building, inside is not of great interest to tourists: it houses a library and an art hall.
The sights of Chistopol include the city museum. It is one of the most popular museums in Tatarstan. It is located in a merchant's house. Here you can get acquainted with the paintings of local and foreign artists, as well as with ancient relics found in local excavations: ancient beads, knives, horseshoes, precious stones, dishes, etc. The museum includes 5 spacious and well-lit halls.
Picturesque places
The remainder of the ancient settlement is the ancient settlement of Djuketau. Sight located in the suburbs of Chistopol, on the banks of the Kama River. The settlement was founded in the 10th century AD and was a military, political, commercial and cultural center of regional significance. Initially, the city was like a fortress, after which it became a real principality. After 200 years, presumably in 1236, he was badly damaged by military raids, and after another 200 years, residents left him. The remains of the ancient gate, the existing wells, the foundations of houses - this is all that remains of the ancient settlement.
In addition to the ruins, tourists can get acquainted with the nature of the Lower Prikamye. Skaryatinsky garden is not only a place of rest for citizens, but also a historical attraction of Chistopol. It is located in the central part of the city and is abundantly landscaped. The year of foundation is 1867. In 2013, the garden acquired a more modern look, a cafe, carousels, playgrounds for children appeared. From the point of view of historical value, this is a minus, but in a modernized form it attracts numerous visitors, as there are more opportunities for recreation and amenities.