Capital: Kazan city, founded in 1005.
Republic formed: May 27, 1920
Geographical position
The Republic of Tatarstan borders on the Kirov, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Orenburg regions, Bashkortostan, Mari El, the Udmurt Republic and Chuvashia. The length of the republic's territory is 290 km from north to south and 460 km from west to east.
The area of the Republic is 67 847 sq km, the population is 3.869 million people (2016).
Climatic features
The climate is temperate continental, very dry, with warm summers and not very cold winters: the average temperature in January is -16C, July + 25C. Average precipitation is from 460 to 520 mm. During the warm period (above 0C), 65-75% of the annual precipitation falls. Maximum precipitation occurs in July (51-65 mm), minimum - in February (21-27 mm). The sunniest period is from April to August. The snow cover forms after mid-November and melts in the first half of April.
Tourist opportunities
The main tourist route is the Pearl Necklace of Tatarstan route. It consists of small and large rings. The route of the small ring lies around Kazan, along the Arsk district (the way of life, traditions and customs of the Tatar people are preserved), Laishevsky district (monuments of Russian culture, a holiday of round dances in the village of Russkoye Nikolskoye), Verkhneuslonsky district (attracts fans of skiing), Pestrechinsky and Zelenodarsky districts The Big Circle is a larger-scale journey through the centers of cultural and historical heritage. You will visit the excavations of ancient settlements, museums, unique natural areas. The Big Ring includes the Volzhsko-Kamsky Nature Reserve, the Spassky Nature Reserve, and the Chistye Luga Reserve.
Animal lovers will be attracted by the Kazan Zoo and Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in Europe. It was opened in 1806, earlier than the London, Berlin and Moscow zoos. His collection includes 145 species of animals, including those listed in the Red Book.
Also, nature lovers should visit the Volzhsko-Kamsky Biosphere Reserve. Its area is 10 thousand hectares, 90% of the territory is covered with forests, among which there are 200-300 year old pines, spruces, oaks. The reserve is rich in avifauna - there are more than 200 species of birds, 8 of which are rare and endangered, and there are also many rare reptiles. On the shores of Lake Raifa, the architectural ensemble of the monastery has been preserved, whose beauty is emphasized by centuries-old pines.
For those who are not indifferent to church architecture and history, a real wealth of ancient and restored monuments awaits in the republic: the Holy Dormition Sviyazhsky Monastery, the Kazan-Mother of God Monastery, whose history is associated with the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, the Holy Vedensky Monastery, with the construction of which is associated with the pestilence epidemics, and others.
In addition to the obligatory tourist program (Kazan Kremlin, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, the Tatar holiday of Sabantuy), there are also places that locals know more about than tourist guides. For example, the Arch of Lovers, standing under which two can hear each other, even standing at opposite ends of the arch and speaking in a whisper. It is believed that the confession pronounced there will forever hold two hearts together.
Or the Syuyumbike Tower, one of the falling towers of the world, keeping the legend of the Kazan queen Syuyumbike, who threw herself from the tower to avoid marriage to Ivan the Terrible. It is believed that if you lean your forehead against the tower wall and make a wish, it will come true. If you dream of traveling, you need to sit in the bronze carriage of Catherine II, or rather, in its bronze copy, and imagine the place where you want to go. Street art lovers will be attracted by the monument to Fyodor Chaliapin, where musicians gather and play for passers-by, and touching the left boot of the monument (always at sunset) will bring you success in the singing art.
If you prefer small towns, be sure to visit Elabuga. This city seems to consist only of ancient monuments and landmarks. This is the historical and archaeological complex "Yelabuga settlement", the Millennium square of Yelabuga, the memorial complex of the poetess Tsvetaeva, the house-museum of the artist Shishkin, the Bekhterev museum of district medicine ... And the most unusual museum is the "Tavern" theater museum, where you can take part in a meal according to ancient customs.
Every traveler who comes to the republic must visit Bolgar - a place sacred for the residents of Tatarstan and Muslims around the world, a city of pilgrimage for Muslims who seek to make a small Hajj to their shrines. It was in the Great Bulgars that Islam was adopted in 922.
There, where Sviyaga merges with the Volga, stands, like a revived fairy tale, the island town of Sviyazhsk. Sviyazhsk was built by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in four weeks as an outpost for the capture of Kazan. It became the first Orthodox city in the region, a center for the spread of Christianity.
Not far from Kazan is the Raifsky Bogoroditsky Monastery, founded in 1661. Here is one of the Orthodox shrines - the miraculous icon of the Georgian Mother of God.
There are 80 ecological tourism objects in the republic, there are excellent conditions for hunting and fishing, for recreation and treatment. In the republic you can do active rest. Kamsky mine, which is of interest for rock climbers and speleotourists, numerous rivers and lakes for yachtsport and rafting enthusiasts. You will also be impressed by the modern ski complexes "Kazan" and "Yan"
And especially lucky travelers manage to get to Sabantuy - the most beloved holiday among the people, which is celebrated in June on the occasion of the end of spring field work. The guests of the holiday take part in cheerful competitions, get acquainted with the folk epic and ancient customs. In the villages, they will be able to join the Tatar wedding, taste traditional home cooking and experience the hospitality of the Tatar people from their own experience. Another popular holiday, Karavon (in May), is also very popular; folklore groups and numerous tourists come to it, who lead round dances to old songs.
Sights:
Kazan Kremlin
Tower Syuyumbike
Kul Sharif Mosque
National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan
Temple of All Religions (Kazan)
Epiphany Cathedral of Kazan
Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan
House-Museum of Ivan Shishkin (Kazan)
Museum-apartment of Musa Jalil (Kazan)
Literary-memorial complex of Gabdulla Tukai (Novy Kyrylai village)
Memorial complex of Marina Tsvetaeva (Elabuga)
Ananyinsky burial ground
Volzhsko-Kamsky reserve
Sviyazhsk island
Devil's settlement in Elabuga
Raifsky Bogoroditsky Monastery
Bulgar city