Kazan Kremlin

Kazan Kremlin - Rich in History

The Kazan Kremlin is surrounded by high, white walls and thirteen hipped-roofed towers. The Suyembika Tower is the most remarkable structure within the Kazan Kremlin walls, as it is seven storeys and fifty eight meters is height. The Spassky Tower or Saviour Tower, stands at the opposite end. The Kazan fortress used to be surrounded by the River Kazanka which formed the northern boundary, the western boundary that was made up of the Bulak Canal and to the east were three lakes. Tatar builders constructed the Bulak Canal to join the River Kazanka and Lake Kaban. Not only did this protect the Kazan Kremlin, but also was a navigational asset in regard to goods. Items bought from Kazanka and Volga could be brought in right next to the walls.

Approximately 30 000 people lived within the citadel walls by the 16th century, but unfortunately not many trading quarter towers or entrances survived, although some were rebuilt when Kremlin ramparts were rebuilt in stone between 1556 and 1558. The Kazan Kremlin was as an impressive sight in the older years as it is today. Many visitors such as Ivan the Terrible and the English traveler Jenkinson who looked upon this magnificent architectural jewel in 1558, were both as astounded and amazed at the size and beauty of the Kazan structure as current day tourists are.

The rebuilding of the Kazan Kremlin started in 1556, with architects P. Yakovlev and I. Shiriay at the helm of the construction. The architects rebuilt the walls and towers in Pskov style, as the Kremlin needed reconstruction after the Russians destroyed the structure to erase all Muslim history that was connected with Kazan. They also added a few extra towers, which included the construction of the Spassky Tower, which serves as the Kazan Kremlin entrance today.

Khan Muhammad Amin came into power in Kazan in 1487. During his time in Moscow, Khan had witnessed the reconstruction of the Moscow Kremlin under the supervision of Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti. Khan was ambitious and by seeing the glory of Moscow carved in stone, it is believed that the Suyumbika Tower was also designed by Fioravanti and constructed by Tatar craftsmen between 1486 and 1490. If Fioravanti, who was also responsible for the Piazza Maggiore, was indeed the designer, it would not be surprising, as the Suyumbika Tower does lean with a deviation of approximately one and a half meters. The tower was preserved by Ivan the Terrible as it symbolizes the taking of Kazan by Ivan III, by assisting Khan to come into power, and it was also a conveniently located watch tower. With so many theories and questions surrounding this tower, it is a guarded secret held by the mysterious capital.

The Kazan Kremlin is a wonderfully enchanting attraction, and visitors to Kazan should seriously consider visiting this breathtaking fortress, that is shrouded in myths, secrets, peace, deceit, war and intimidation.