The modern architecture of Kazan is a harmonious combination of several directions in urban planning at once, in which the vivid originality of the capital of Tatarstan of the 18-19 centuries is visible through some buildings of the Soviet period. And next to them, new original buildings are being erected, which interpret the architectural and historical heritage of the past and the latest methods of construction of structures.
The historical center of Kazan
The capital of Tatarstan has a 1000-year history, which is embodied in various monuments of monumental art. The architecture of the city of Kazan in the historical center is a combination of many styles and directions over several hundred years. The construction of the center and the Old Tatar settlement was preserved very well: apartment buildings and old mansions of wealthy merchants adorn the streets. Classicism, empire and its types, modern - all these areas relate to buildings of the 18-20 centuries, which harmoniously fit into the architectural palette of Kazan.
The most striking sights are located in this part of the city, where for 500 years two cultures have been developing and complementing each other - western and eastern. Modern Kazan is a worthy example of historical tolerance and unity of various religions: here are Orthodox churches (16-19 centuries), and mosques built after the decree of Catherine II (1766) in the 18-19 centuries. and in recent years. By the anniversary of the city, the reconstruction of old buildings was carried out and many new objects were rebuilt, including the new Kul-Sharif mosque in the Kremlin.
The management of all the transformation of the city was carried out by the Ministry of Architecture (Kazan), which carries out the necessary implementation of the policy of the Russian state in the field of urban development and public utilities of the city.
Kazan Kremlin
This main historical attraction of the city is located in its very heart and represents a large complex that combines Russian and Tatar architectural and cultural traditions of the 12-20 centuries. Here is presented the architecture of Kazan in its diversity.
The structure of the Kremlin includes:
- 8 defensive towers, one of which is a symbol of the city - the falling tower of Syuyumbike (height 58 m), which offers panoramic views of the Volga and the surrounding area.
- Governor's Palace.
- The Annunciation Cathedral was built in the 16th century, is the main Orthodox church of the city, it houses a collection of old printed books of the 16-18th centuries.
- Transfiguration Monastery.
- School of Junkers.
- Cannon Yard.
- Kul Sharif Mosque is a modern building, built in 2005 with donations from 40 thousand organizations and civilians, which has become one of the largest Muslim mosques in Europe. The building is in the form of 2 squares intersecting at an angle and making up the sign “Blessing of Allah”, has 4 minarets.
- Museum of Islam, Natural History of Tatarstan, the memorial of the Great Patriotic War, etc.
Soviet period architecture
Architecture and urban development of Kazan in the period of the 20th century was marked by the appearance of constructivism in the 1930s: the buildings of the Press House, the building of Kazan Chemical and Technological University named after Kirov. In the postwar period, the architecture included the style of the Stalinist Empire, in which the buildings of the Medical University, the Opera and Ballet Theater, and others were built.
The second half of the 20th century. was marked by the construction of more modern buildings. Circus, Sports Palace, Conservatory, River Station, Tatar Academic Theater - and this is an incomplete list of buildings of this era.
One of the brightest representatives of buildings built in Soviet times is the Kazan Circus, which is popularly called the "Flying Saucer". It really resembles an alien ship with a diameter of 65 m. The building was built in 1967 instead of a burnt wooden circus on the Black Lake and became famous for its uniqueness: the building has no internal supports, but is a reinforced concrete monolith 23 m high (architects M. Khairullin and G. Pichuev). In 1973, it was recognized as an architectural monument.
The capacity of the Kazan circus is 2 thousand spectators, it has 2 arenas and household services, including aviaries with animals.
Modern architecture of Kazan
A major restructuring of the historic city center was launched in the 1990s in the context of the program to eliminate dilapidated housing, and then continued in the 2000s in preparation for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the capital of Tatarstan. The implementation of all urban development plans was led by the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (Kazan).
In recent decades, the city has been constantly updated. Not all modern buildings are perceived unambiguously by residents and visitors. However, thanks to them, the architectural appearance of Kazan is becoming more interesting and extraordinary.
Palace of Farmers
One of the most spectacular modern sights in which the new architecture of Kazan can be traced is the Palace of Farmers built in 2010, which now houses the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan. The palace is located in the historical part of the city, near the territory of the Kazan Kremlin.
The style of this building is defined by experts as a Beaux Arts, which is a mixture of French Baroque and Renaissance. Some elements of Empire and classicism are also included, and the central dome is a bit like Petit Palais in Paris. At night, the building is very beautifully illuminated, makes an indelible impression on tourists.
In front of the palace there is a wide area on which concerts of the International Opera Festival are held annually.
The sad fate of the Temple of all religions
One of the original and popular buildings is located on the banks of the Volga, it is simultaneously a church of several religions at once: Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu. The creator of the Temple of All Religions is the sculptor and artist I. Khanov, who built this building on his own site since 1994. Now there is the Cultural Center for Spiritual Unity, which hosts charity concerts and exhibitions.
But, unfortunately, the temple recently suffered a sad fate: on April 10, 2017, a fire occurred in the building, in which most of it suffered. The owners of the building, who inherited the building after the death of its builder, promise to eliminate the consequences of the fire.
Puppet Theater "Ekiyat"
One of the new representatives of Kazan architecture is the building of the Kazan Theater "Ekiyat", made in the style of a Disneyland fairytale castle. Its appearance is as if copied from a magic book: figures of fairy-tale characters adorn the facade, and the scene is made in the form of a glass palace. Evening lighting gives it an almost medieval look.
The interiors are also made with fabulous taste: on the floors with chess coloring there are benches in the form of thrones, where little spectators like to play. The theater was built in 2002 and has 2 auditoriums: for 250 and 100 seats. A puppet theater is located right in the center of the city.
Family Center "Kazan"
The building, which opened in 2013, is the Wedding Palace. No wonder he was called the "cauldron". Its design, based on a snow-white base, is the only one in the world. The author of the project is sculptor D. Namdakov.
Appearance (high lancet windows) and interiors are made using a combination of ethnic styles of the Kazan Khanate and Classicism. The building has 3 halls for celebrations and premises for receptions. Upstairs at an altitude of 32 m there is an observation deck, the view from which the surroundings are breathtaking among visitors.
All these new modern original buildings are representatives of bright and distinctive architecture combining the Kazan style and the metropolitan scale. The Department of Architecture (Kazan) plans further development of the architectural and construction experience of young and promising urban planners, who with the help of modern materials will turn their fresh ideas into reality.