Kazan is a large rapidly developing city with a rich history, attractions and interesting places. One of them is the island of Sviyazhsk. The city looks like a fabulous island from the works of A.S. Pushkin. A beautiful island with a bright history, rich architecture is located on a hill in the middle of the river. The city is worth getting to know it better and touching its walls. How to get to Sviyazhsk, how to get from Kazan?
By car
Previously, the island could only be reached by water. After the construction of the bulk road, it became possible to reach by land. Distance between the cities of Sviyazhsk - Kazan is approximately 30 km.
You can get to the island by car. Regular buses leave daily from the Yuzhny bus station; sightseeing buses run on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you are traveling by car yourself, you need to go onto the M7 highway towards Moscow and go to the village of Isakovo, then follow the signs. This is the fastest and most convenient way.
On the boat
Sviyazhsk from Kazan can be reached by water. This is the longest path in time, but also the most fascinating. The motor ship Sviyazhsk - Kazan departs in the morning from the River Port.
The waterway is a vivid sight. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you can see several attractions. A striking architectural structure, which is noticeable from the river, is the Temple of all religions. He is a symbol of the unity of souls. This is a private building, and services are not carried out in it. When approaching Sviyazhsk, you can see the Ascension Macaryevsky Monastery. The monastery is functioning.
By train
There is a third way to visit Sviyazhsk. How to get from Kazan by train? Perhaps this is the most adventure way, since you need to go with a transfer. In the direction of Kazan - Sviyazhsk, the train departs from the Kazan-Passenger Central Station. Trains leave daily. You need to get to the station "Sviyazhsk". Then you need to use vehicles and follow it through Protopopovka, Mizinovo. Then turn to Sviyazhsk.
Island history
The fortified city began its history in 1551. Since 2009, it has been the State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum and is called "Island-city of Sviyazhsk." Between these dates a lot of things happened.
Sviyazhsk passed from a military fortress to the status of a county town in the 16th century. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, it becomes a monastery town. Sviyazhsk is considered the first Christian city in the Kazan region. The island was constantly under construction. Monasteries, temples, bell towers were erected. In the period of the XIX-XX centuries, stone and wooden construction were widely used, which has survived to this day.
The period of revolution for the city was tragic: churches were closed, prisons and hospitals for the mentally ill were created from them. As a result of the construction of the Kuibyshev reservoir in the middle of the 20th year, the city was on an island. Now Sviyazhsk is a rural settlement.
Rebirth
The history of the past - ruined houses, temples, lack of roads, social problems - turned the island into a ghost. So that the city did not die completely and did not sink into oblivion, it was required to breathe new life into it and fill it with power. It was necessary to restore and restore the temples, needed strength for the construction.
The reconstruction led to the revival of Sviyazhsk. She not only made the island habitable, but also revived its moral beginning. The island's mission is to revive spirituality, harmony and harmony.
sights
Ancient Sviyazhsk is a complex of architectural and historical monuments and museums. The urban ensemble covers an area of 62 hectares. The street layout is not distorted by modern buildings and has preserved the architectural image of historical events.
The basis of the city ensemble is the building of the Assumption Monastery of St. John the Baptist and the Monastery of St. John the Baptist — these are cathedrals, churches, towers, monastery schools, a horse yard, and fortress walls.
The Assumption Monastery was founded in 1555. On its territory are St. Nicholas refectory church and the Assumption Cathedral. St. Nicholas Church is built in the form of a bell tower and is open only to monks. The Assumption Cathedral is painted with rare frescoes.
The John the Baptist Monastery was built at the end of the 16th century. It includes the Trinity Church (the oldest building of Sviyazhsk), the church in honor of St. Sergey the Radonezh miracle worker, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Joy of All Who Sorrow, the chapel tower.
The church in the name of Constantine and Elena is built of stone. It includes a three-story bell tower, a temple part and a refectory. This is the only Posad church (not related to the monastery) that survived on the island. The temple is located on a hill at the entrance to the city.
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the oldest stone buildings on the island. Inside the temple, a fresco with the face of Nikolai Mozhaysky has been preserved. The ensemble of the church includes a bell tower, whose height is 43 meters.
Lost temples of Sviyazhsk include buildings built mainly of wood: the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas Church, St. Sophia (Tikhvin) Church, the Annunciation Church, the Fraternal Corps and St. German Church, the Gate Church of the Ascension.
In Sviyazhsk there is a monument to Judas Iscariot, who, according to the Bolsheviks, personified a fighter with religion.
In total, about 70 cultural monuments were revealed on the island. They are of historical and architectural value.
Entertainment on the island
Sviyazhsk is a tourist attraction, where you can not only see the complex of attractions, but also visit folk festivals and entertainment. In September, traditionally spend a holiday for lovers of fish soup. In the open air, the participants cook the fish soup from the freshly caught fish, and the audience determines the winner. In winter, New Year trees are organized here, Shrovetide celebrations are organized. All holidays are accompanied by dancing, fun, master classes.
Nearby is the ski resort "Kazan" - in the people of "Sviyaga". In winter, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the island-city.
If you wish, you can easily get to the holidays in Sviyazhsk. How to get from Kazan to the island, you need to choose depending on the time of year.
Excursions
On the island there are many monuments of Orthodox culture and ancient Russian architecture. The state is protected by 37 cultural heritage sites. Grad Island is rich in history, the spirit of Orthodox culture, natural beauty. The tour will allow you to plunge into the world of the island and hear professional stories of specialists. Excursion to Sviyazhsk from Kazan can be both group and individual.
Hotels
In order to plunge deeper into the atmosphere of this beautiful place and leisurely enjoy its beauties, you can live on the island. Hotel buildings are a monument of residential architecture. They are built in a classic style with modern elements. For example, one of the hotels is an ancient building of the almshouse. In addition, you can negotiate with the locals and rent a house.
Tourists definitely should visit Sviyazhsk. How to get from Kazan, you already know. Those who adhere to maximum comfort and speed should choose a car. A trip on the boat will help you to plunge into the romance; lovers of extreme sports can welcome to the railway station.
Upon returning to Kazan, the island of Sviyazhsk will remain in memory for a long time.