The Kazan Kremlin remains to this day the very heart of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan - Kazan. The most unusual structure in the Kremlin complex is the Suyumbike Tower. It has become the architectural symbol of Kazan and is famous a long way from the Republic of Tatarstan. It is dear to our city, like the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great to Moscow, the Statue of Liberty to New York or the Eiffel Tower to Paris.

The Kazan Kremlin reminds us of the role Kazan played in the long stormy history not only of Tatarstan and Russia, but of the Eurasian continent.

The Kazan Kremlin has seen various changes and has always played the central *role in the region. In the 10th century it was a small settlement. Its military and commercial role was developed from the 10th to the mid-13th century, when it became a fort. From the 13th century the Kremlin became the centre of the Kazan khanate.

It remained politically independent until 1552 when Ivan the Terrible recaptured Kazan. The old Tatar fortress was rebuilt as a Russian Kremlin. From 1708 the Kremlin became the centre of the first Kazan district of the Russian Empire. Kazan was then called "the third capital of Russia", "the fairest and best city of all Russia after Moscow and Saint Petersburg".

 

 

 

The Kazan Kremlin is unique because historically and architecturally it continually discovers the historl, the interchange of values between sevteraLy ltures and civilizations. The Kazan KjHnlin is not the only ancient urbaodbrhe bank of the Volga river. It is Ily monument to the lost culture of the Cazan khanate. It is the only surviving Tatar fortress.

It is an example of the synthesis of Tatar and Russian architecture. It combines various styles and historical epochs. Inside the Kremlin complex we can clearly see the influences of Volga Bulgaria, the Golden Horde and the Kazan khanate. The Kremlin developed under the influence of two religions - Christianity and Islam.

Nowadays the Kazan Kremlin symbolizes the nation's history, its culture and traditions. In the course of many years Russian and Tatar cultures developed side by side. This can be easily seen in the Kazan Kremlin. Magnificent golden crosses of the Annunciation Cathedral harmonize with ornate minarets of Kul-Sharif Mosque.

In 2000 the Kazan Kremlin became a monument of UNESCO World Heritage.