The main mosque in Kazan. Mosques of Kazan: history, architecture

Kazan is rightfully considered the cultural center of Islam in the Russian Federation. In the capital of Tatarstan there are about 20 large mosques. No wonder the main architectural complex of the city, the Kazan Kremlin, was listed in the list of sites under the auspices of UNESCO. In addition, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan recently celebrated its millennium.

Mosques of Kazan

Almost all Muslim prayer architectural buildings of the capital were built before 1917. Many of them were subsequently closed or reconstructed.

Today the main mosque in Kazan is located in the Moscow Kremlin. It was erected in honor of the famous imam-seid named Kul Sharif. The Kremlin mosque impresses with its scale and color. Also known throughout the Islamic world are the prayer structures of Mardjani, Yardam, Nurullah, Iske-Tash and many others. In total, more than two dozen mosques function in the city: Apanaevka, Blue, Burnaevskaya, Galeevskaya, Azimovskaya, Sultanovskaya, Kazakovskaya, Belaya, etc. The oldest is the Second Cathedral. This is the second name of the Apanaevsky mosque. It was built in 1771. For a long time, since the 1930s, the mosque was used for social purposes, as a kindergarten. However, after a great restoration in 2011, the Second Cathedral opened again for the parishioners. In addition, the Zakabannaya and Powder Mosques of Kazan are popular with Muslims.

The addresses of all city prayer services show that they are located along the perimeter of the whole capital. This was done for the convenience of parishioners from different parts of Kazan and all of Tatarstan.

Kul-Sharif Mosque

This main architectural heritage of the city is located within the famous Kazan Kremlin. The first stone in the foundation of the modern church was laid in 1996. The grand opening was timed to coincide with the 1000th anniversary of the capital.

The height of the temple reaches 58 meters. The architectural complex includes 4 grandiose minarets. The dome is decorated with a "Kazan hat", which in time immemorial represented the crown of khans. Exterior is fully executed in accordance with local traditions and culture. It is noticeable in the decor and minarets, and the main gate, and solemn arches, and powerful columns. Inside, the main mosque in Kazan is decorated with huge crystal chandeliers, unique stained-glass windows, gilding and mosaics. The floor and the pillars are made of pure marble and granite, brought from the Urals. One of the features of the temple are two massive viewing balconies, on which excursions are often held.

In addition to the mosque, the complex includes the Museum of Islamic History and the cabinet of the Imam. At night, the temple is illuminated with thousands of colorful lights. To date, many famous mosques in the world can not compare with Kul-Sharif in terms of scale, wealth and grace. The temple is considered to be one of the most important Muslim moleben in Europe.

Al-Mardjani Mosque

This architectural structure is located in the Old-Tatar sloboda of the capital, near the lake Nizhny Kaban (address - K.Nasyri St., 17). The Marjani Mosque (Kazan) is a historically significant temple of the entire Islamic people. The first version of the building was erected in the late 18th century by the order of Catherine II. Construction cost the treasury of 5,000 rubles, which for those times was unthinkable money. In modern form, the mosque is made in the best traditions of medieval Tatar architecture. During the reconstruction, much attention was paid to a style such as the Baroque. Despite the fact that the building is only two floors, the minaret rises upward by three tiers. The temple received its name in honor of Imam Mardjani, who served there for 39 years until 1889.

Inside and outside the mosque is decorated with gold tips and crescents. All walls and vaults of the interior are decorated with light ornaments and stucco molding.

The Yardam Mosque

This prayer complex is noteworthy in that there is a Rehabilitation Center for blind people on its territory. The honorable imam of the temple is Ildar Bayazitov. He also takes part in the post of deputy mufti of Tatarstan.
The Yardem Mosque (Kazan) is currently the only Islamic organization in Russia, which received a national award for volunteerism. Today the temple is considered the main patron of people with disabilities from all over the city and even the Republic.

The building itself is made in a low-key style. The exterior is not noticeable. Inside the temple is decorated in warm colors. The interior is markedly different from the usual Islamic moleben with its minimalism. There is a mosque on Serova Street, 4a.

The Nurullah Mosque

This religious building is a building of two floors. The approximate date of construction is the end of the 1840s. The Nurull mosque in Kazan has a spacious hall with a deep and colorful dome. The minaret consists of three tiers and is located above the southern entrance. The exterior of the temple is decorated with an ornament typical of the medieval Middle East. Until 1908, the imam-hatib of the mosque was the famous public figure Gabdulla Apanaev, who also owned the publishing house Azat. After his departure, the temple was closed and partially destroyed by order of the authorities of Tatarstan. And only in 1992 the mosques of Nurulla again brought back its former greatness and significance. Towards the end of the 1990s the church was completely reconstructed.

Iske-Tash Mosque

One of the few active historical Muslim temples of the Novo-Tatar settlement was built in 1802.

According to legend, the Starokamennaya Mosque in Kazan existed in the middle of the 16th century. Then in its place was a huge mass grave for fighters who defended the city from the army of Ivan the Terrible. As a result, the old stone, which played the role of a monument, was the first brick in the foundation of the modern mosque.

The three-level minaret is made in the style of classicism with an inherent rigor and monochrome. The temple itself consists of two halls.