weather in Saint Petersburg is just like the weather in summer Copenhagen. (Denmark), the weather in Kazan in summer ...
guide
kazan
2018
welcome
to kazan
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kazan
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Free ride for
Fan ID
football fans,
FAN ID is a small
volunteers and
laminated form
FIFA accredited
with the holder’s
guests in urban
personal data
and suburban transport (except taxi). Also free of charge are electric trains that run on the routes
FAN ID and the match ticket are
Addresses and opening
obligatory documents to show at the
hours of FAN ID collec-
entrance to a match. You should have had
tion points are
it beforehand. It is issued for free
at www.fan-id.ru
FAN ID and the match ticket allow a free ride in transport in the cities and between them on the 2018 FIFA World Cup days
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between sports events (including the metro)
FAN ID is a visa-free travel to the Russian Federation as well free of charge excursions and tourist routes
kazan
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EXPECTATIONS Foreigners often think that the everlasting winter and snow hills two meters high are Russia. Even in summer it’s freezing cold and uncomfortable. May be there is no summer at all.
Kaliningrad
St. Petersburg
Follow me! To be continued on the next page.
Moscow
Nizhniy Novgorod
REALITY
Saransk
Kazan Rostov-on–Don Sochi
Volgograd Samara
HARBIN PIERRE
Yekaterinburg
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A lot of silly myths and legends are created about Russia, and foreigners believe them to be the truth. But sure enough it is an absolutely different country. And the Russians are not the people from those legends.
In fact in most parts of Russia summer is a warm and nice season. By comparison, Moscow summer is like Minneapolis (the USA) summer, the summer weather in Saint Petersburg is just like the weather in summer Copenhagen (Denmark), the weather in Kazan in summer resembles the weather in Chinese Harbin. It’s as hot in summer in Sochi as it is in Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Porto (Portugal). The country is so huge that there are practically all climate zones here: from the everlasting winter to the endless summer.
This tour guide will introduce you to the real Russia and its people. Later you will see everything with your own eyes.
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Russia
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For more than 1000 years of its existence Russia has left an enormous mark in the world history, culture and science. Our achievements are as great as the territory of the country.
Russian Ballet
Tolstoy
Same as the Russian history and culture… Yashin
Tchaikovsky
Mendeleev
The Russians were the first to launch a man into the space, we gave the world great writers, artists and music composers, we made outstanding discoveries in chemistry, physics, mathematics and other sciences, we achieved considerable success in sports.
The country is so vast that it can’t be somehow limited Gagarin 8
Dostoevsky Russia
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ma t ry
Ba
la
RUSSIa... expectation
os
la yk
hk
a
a
reality
If you expect to see wild Russia, cities that look like villages, where bears walk along dirty paths, then you are terribly mistaken. Our country is in step with the time. The Russians love their culture, no less than modern technologies that became part of their lives long time ago.
As far as bears are concerned, 99% of the Russians have seen them twice in their life at the zoo or in a circus. Matryoshkas and samovars are just souvenirs for foreign tourists.
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The Russians are kind, friendly and hospitable people, always ready to help. They are not aggressive. We are the same people like you are. And no, the Russians don’t drink vodka all the time.
RUSSIan people...
reality
expectation
Traditional Russian breakfast?
There is no place for racism or intolerance in Russia. People of more than 200 nationalities call Russia their home. It takes all sorts of people to make Russia and we are happy to be different. 12
Russia 13
about the city KAZAN is one of the largest cities of Russia. It’s the Capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan. The East and the West, Christianity and Islam, old and new architecture interweave here.
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KAZAN is located 820 kilometers to the east from Moscow, on the left bank of the River Volga. The population is about 1,2 million people (the 8th place in Russia). MORE THAN 115 nationalities live in the сapital of the Republic of Tatarstan.
The majority of the population is presented by the Russians and the Tatars. KAZAN is considered to be one of the sports cities in Russia. World championships in fencing, water sports and ball hockey were held here. In 2013 Kazan received
the Worldwide Summer Universiade. Local time is Moscow time. The climate is moderate continental, it’s not either freezing cold or unbearably hot. The average temperature in June-July is 20-25°C.
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HOW TO GET TO THE CITY From the airport The international airport Kazan is 26 kilometers away from the city centre. There are several ways to get to the city. Speed electric train You should inquire about the time schedule beforehand. The train usually goes every 2 hours. On days of international sports events the interval is reduced to 1 hour. Tickets are sold at the booking offices at the Airport Railway station. You can also find selfservice terminals there. The trip takes 30 minutes. The trains arrive at Kazan-Passazhirskaya Railway station.
FROM THE RAILWAY STATION There are two railway stations in Kazan. The station Kazan-Passazhirskaya is in the city centre. You can get to the main sights on foot, by taxi, by tram, by bus or by route bus (comfortable van). The nearest metro station is Kremlyovskaya.
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Bus The bus stops are located near the exit from the arrival area and the luggage reclaim area. Bus №197 runs every 20-30 minutes. The travel time is about 1 hour and a half. You can buy tickets from the driver. Only cash is accepted. The bus stops are near the main metro stations in the city centre.
Taxi All the official taxies in Kazan are white. You can order transfer at the special counters in the arrival lounge of Terminal 1A. Prices of companies differ a lot. You can also use the application program. Taxies and transfers run 24 hours a day. Travel time is approx. 30–40 minutes.
Kazan-2 (station Vosstanie-Passazhirskaya) is a railway station in the northern part of the city. The locals call it Voksal na Vorovskogo. You can get from this station to the city centre by tram №1, by bus №37, 6, 89. The nearest metro station – Severny Voksal.
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WHAT TO SEE Kazan is a city for long-hour walks. All the main sights and beautiful streets are located in the historical center of the city.
Казанский кремль
MUST-SEE
Kazan Kremlin Kazan Kremlin is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. With its historical and architectural sights it occupies the territory of 1500 square meters. The white stone fortress is the first to meet you at the entrance. The main entrance is through the Spasskaya Tower.
You can see the Monument to Musa Dzalil, a national hero of Tatarstan, near it. Being a prisoner of the concentration camp, he wrote his famous “Moabitsky books” – collections of war poems, which are now kept at the National Museum of the Tatarstan Republic. One of the main sights of the Kremlin is the Mosque Kul Sharif. It
is believed to be the largest mosque in Europe. It was opened to the public to celebrate the millennium of Kazan in 2005. The interior of it deserves your close attention: you will see stained-glass windows, Roman mosaics, a ceramic panel and frescos done in accordance with the 15th century technology. All tourists are admitted. Women could be asked to put on a kerchief. The Cathedral of the Annunciation erected in
the 16th century is the oldest building in the grounds of the Kremlin. The church attracts not only pilgrims but architecture lovers as well. The Holy relics of Gury are kept in the Cathedral. They say the saint helps pupils and students in their studies. The viewing platform behind the Cathedral gives a unique chance to see the River Kazanka with stylish modern buildings on one bank and the historical center on the other. One more sight to attract tourists is the
Nataly Osipova, sales manager You should start with a hop on/hop off tour. Red double-deckers are at your service. You can also have a guided tour of the city. A visit to Tugan avylym (means “home village” in Tatar) is often included in the excursion. During your visit you can try local food and take part in some traditional entertainments.
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Syuyumbike Tower. The legend says, it was built by Ivan the Terrible at the time he wanted to marry the Kazan tsarina Syuyumbike. However, she couldn’t make herself
to become his bride and jumped down from the top. The Tower leaned a lot afterwards.
no threat. You can leave a coin and make a wish near the Tower. Your wish will certainly come true.
Being reinforced, the base of the building now poses
No charge at the entrance to the Kremlin. You can buy an hour and a half tour.
OLEKSANDR VERSHYNIN, bank clerk, USA I would recommend to walk down Baumana, it is very beautiful and the walk over there is enjoyable. I also would recommend to walk from Koltso to Gorki Park next to Korston – that is a nice walk as well where you can enjoy seeing some of Kazan. In Gorki Park there are some beautiful paths to take, and the dancing fountains are very cool as well! I enjoyed the architecture of buildings around the center. I like the metro as well, it is very clean and well-maintained.
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Ulitsa Baumana Baumana, which is often called Kazan Arbat, is the main tourist street in the city. Vehicle traffic is prohibited there so a nice walk along the street is full of wonderful discoveries. Historical architecture looks good amid the modern shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. On the days of national holi-
days the street becomes the center of festivals with different theatre performances, music groups and dance clubs. The best way to start your stroll is from the big bronze clock that is near the metro station Ploshchad Tukaya. The famous poet, Gabdula Tukay, Pegasus and the Muse, are all depicted in the top part of the installation. Its three clock faces are pointed to three directions. Everything is in the Arabic style. This is the place where loving couples have dates, it’s a gathering point for big
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companies of friends, and taxis always find this place quickly and unmistakably. The Epiphany Cathedral with the bell tower is in the vicinity. It was considered to be the highest building in Kazan at the beginning of the 20th century. The bell tower has a viewing platform. Guests can see Kazan from the height of 74 meters. It is open daily 10-19. Closes for lunch 1213. Charge at the entrance. The carriage of Catherine the Great stands in the center of Baumana .
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There is a legend that in 1767 the Empress travelled in the same carriage during her visit to Kazan. Catherine II was so impressed by the beauty of the city that left the carriage as a present. The original carriage is kept in the National museum and its cast-iron replica is installed in the central street. On Baumana you will also find several fountains of intricate forms that attract attention of selfie fans. Installations with frogs and doves are very nice.
The fountain devoted to the main character of the Tatar fairy tale “Su ansy” (“Water elf”) is special for many tourists.
For many this sculpture resembles the Little Mermaid from Denmark. The street is more than 2 kilometers long.
Mark Nickols, interpreter, Great Britain In terms of things to do, it really depends what you are into. Obviously the Kremlin complex is a must-see place, and is full of beautiful, historical buildings, as well as museums and the Presidential residence. That said, the first place to go on your tour might be the Chasha observation deck on the other side of the river – from there you will get a wonderful panoramic view of much of the city (including the Kremlin, the Palace of Agriculture, and (if you look to the left) Kazan Arena football stadium). Not only is it a stunning view, but will help you get your bearings in the city.
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WORTH SEEING
Loving couples' Arch The arch is situated at the entrance to Chyornoye Ozero Park from the side of Ulitsa Lobachevskogo. If you stand at one side of the arch and whisper some dear words you can be heard at the opposite side even on a very noisy day. The construction eas24
ily transmits sounds due to its elliptical form.
Kazan Kremlin Embankment At least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, when the lights are switched on, you should take a walk along the Embankment. You can find intimate restaurants and bars, bike and roller skates rentals there. Adults can take classes in drawing or dancing as well as do some field-
sports. Besides, you can buy souvenirs, have a ride on the French merry-go-
round and have a tour on a specially brought from Italy small steam train.
Elena, Albert and Emma Gatin In summer we like to wander in the parks of the city. We advise you to visit a romantic park in the city center – Chyornoye Osero (The Black Lake) or a large and shadowy Gorky Park. We take our little Emma for a walk to Victory Park. It’s also good to have a family bike ride round Chasha (Marriage Registration Hall). Hold a picnic right on the lawn and enjoy the surrounding views from the river bank.
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What to do if the weather is hot Kazan is so wonderful and indigenous that even a walk round the city grants you a myride of unforgettable impressions. But make sure you’ve got sufficient water supply and comfortable shoes on before you start exploring one of the most unusual Russian cities.
Stroll through Staro-tatarskaya sloboda Having explored the Kremlin’s grounds, made a wish by the tower Syuyumbike, walked along the Embankment and got a selfie in front of the Palace of Agriculture head to Staro-tatarskaya sloboda. It’s a unique place with merchant houses, old mosques and wooden painted houses of the Tartars-Muslims. The area developed after Kazan had been conquered by Ivan the Terrible and some of the locals had been moved here. Within the 18th and the 19th centuries Tatarskaya sloboda developed its own architecture, culture and style of life. You must really visit Apanayevskaya Mosque. It’s one of the earliest Islamic stone constructions that remained intact in the city. Mardzhani Mosque is also worth visiting. It was erected in 1770 according to the personal permission of Empress Catherine II. You can finish your walk on the Embankment of lake Nizhny Kaban, where it’s nice to feed pigeons and ducks, go boating or rent a catamaran.
Practice yoga or go dancing in the parks There are a lot of parks in Kazan where you can have a rest on a hot day or, on the contrary, take part in some 26
physical activities. Start your walk with Kazan Millennium Park which is in the very centre of the city with “Basket Hall” and the northern shore of lake Nizhny Kaban just steps from it. One of the most symbolic fountains of the city, made in the form of an old cauldron, is a delight for the eye. The park is a free Wi-Fi zone. Lyadskoy Garden is another interesting park. You will find it in the center of cultural life in the vicinity of “Actor’s House”, Theatre School and Arts School. It’s a green oasis with fir trees, flowers, benches, a fountain and a children’s play area. In Gorky Park people have been practicing yoga for several years. If you want to be fit, then it’s for you. As a rule, it’s free of charge. Kremlyovskaya Naberezhnaya and Peterburgskaya Ulitsa are the streets awaiting for argetine tango lovers. In the evening there are milonga dance classes there. Both new-comers and experienced dancers are welcome.
Go diving Well, can you go diving in the city without a sea? Of course, not. But staying in Kazan, it’s possible. You should head to Lake Goluboye (Light blue) that is only 20 kilometers away from Kazan. Actually, it’s a chain of beautiful lakes which waters are really azure blue. The thick forest grows grandly round the lakes. The powerful underground springs supply the lakes, so underwater visibility is about 40 meters deep. Optical lens effect is another peculiarity of the lakes. It gives erroneous impression of shallow waters even at serious depths. These startling characteristics attract a lot of divers here. kazan 27
WHAT TO DO IF THE WEATHER TURNS NASTY Whatever the weather is like, for things to see and do, visitors to Kazan are spoiled for choice. You can always taste some local food, go shopping or make up a cultural program. Kazan boasts an astonishingly rich and diverse collection of galleries and museums where you can have a great time.
Visit one of the innumerable museums Even if you have already visited the Kremlin, it’s still worth visiting again. There are several museums with permanent and temporary exhibitions in the Kremlin’s grounds. Some people will take to the National Gallery “Khazine”, whereas others will prefer a browse through the “Hermitage”, a branch of the world-famous museum in Saint Petersburg. If you are travelling with children, then you must visit the Natural History Museum. Here you can see interactive expositions about the germ of life on the Earth, get down to the bottom of the Kazan Sea, see in detail prehistoric fish and even stroke a little mammoth. The National Museum of Tatarstan will tell you about the history of the region. This old delightful building of great architectural importance is a noble neighbor of the Kremlin. The museum is filled with astonishing diversity of treasures: traditional costumes, rare manuscripts and scrolls, weapons and coins survived to our days from the times of Byzantine and Alexander the Great. About 800 thousand items of interest. One of the halls houses the authentic carriage of Catherine the Great. No doubt, you’ve taken a photo of its replica on Baumana.
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Go to the theatre Kazan is a city with old theatre traditions. The first professional theatre was opened here more than two hundred years ago. If you prefer classics, head to the Musa Dzhalil Opera and Ballet Theatre. World opera masterpieces, performances of the Russian ballet as well as works of the composers of Tatarstan are staged here. If you are for some national flavor, then you must really visit the Karim Tinchurin Drama and Comedy Theatre or the Galiaskar Kamal Academic Theatre. Plays are performed there in Tartar, but the guests can get headsets with simultaneous interpreting. For young theatre lovers a new building of the puppet theatre “Ekiyat” (“Fairy tale” in Tartar) has been recently constructed. The theatre looks like a toy castle with turrets, clocks and colorful puppets on the facade. The Little Prince on his planet greets the children at the entrance.
Explore the Temple of all Religions It’s one of the most unusual constructions in Russia. The temple combines in itself 16 elements of different religions. Among the existing religions of Christianity, Islam, Catholicism, Judaism and Buddhism you can also see some elements of the Assyrian Church. The temple was designed by the local artist and sculptor Ildar Khanov. There are several decorated rooms devoted to different confessions. There is also a tea room, a theatre hall and a picture gallery in the temple. Religious services are not conducted here, because it’s more of a museum of humanity’s shared cultural heritage than a traditional temple.
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FURTHER AFIELD If you’ve walked Baumana in all directions and explored all the highlights of Kazan, don’t hesitate to go to the suburbs of the city. A lot of wonderful discoveries, historical artifacts, legends and mysteries are waiting for you.
Bogoroditsky Monastery of Raifa The Monastery is 27 kilometers away from Kazan. It’s an incredibly beautiful, hospitable place full of charm. You can go there by bus or by car on your own or book a guided coach tour. The Monastery was founded in the 12th century and
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it’s still operating. It houses a replica of the Georgian Holy Mother icon, so thousands of pilgrims visit Raifa annually. The Monastery is located in the grounds of Volzhsko-Kamsky nature reserve, where the air is clean and the nature is wonderful.
Island-town Sviyazhsk This wonderful town was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. Nowadays Sviyazhsk is
a tremendous place that can boast its rich history and an impressive cluster of highlights. There are more than 30 objects of cultural heritage here. You can ride a horse
Vicente Manuel Aixa Panadero, teacher of Spanish, Spain I’ve got three favorite places in the vicinity of the city. Firstly, it’s lake Glubokoye, 5 kilometers away from Kazan. It is surrounded by a thick leafy forest. It’s an ideal place to have a rest and bathe, however in summer, especially at weekends there are a lot of people here. The town of Sviyazhsk takes the second position on my list of favorites. It takes about 30 minutes to get to it by bus. You can visit several monasteries and churches here and enjoy the nature. And at last, the Monastery of Raifa, located 15 kilometers away from Kazan, comes. In an addition to the stunning beauty of the architecture the visitor can try traditional food.
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ies. The architectural ensemble of the Sviyazhsk Assumption Cathedral and Monastery has been recently put on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Ancient town Bolgar It is one of the ancient towns of Tatarstan. It is situated on the bank of the River Volga, about 200 kilometers away from Kazan. You can visit it with a coach tour or come by car, bus or riverboat. Bolgarskoye gorodistche was founded within the premises of the Horse Yard. Children will like the cultural center “Lenivy Torzhok” (Lazy Torzhok). It’s designed as a medieval town. You can take part in archery competitions or try on armour suits here. At weekends they
at the beginning of the 10th century, but the first settlements had emerged there much earlier. One of the main sights of the town is the White Mosque. It keeps a lot of mysteries and legends. One of them says that, if you touch a sacred column and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Column of Wishes that’s how it’s called by people. Big Minaret, that is near the mosque, houses one of the treasures of the Muslim world. As legend has it, with every step
organize mock knights tournaments and spectacular shows in the open air. Sviyazhsk is also a focus place for the travellers who seek spiritual values, for the main architectural beauties of the town are churches and monaster-
Luis Casique, Venezuela, mechanical engineer The city is crossed by two rivers – the Volga and the Kazanka. In summer people come to the beaches to go fishing or have a pleasant time. There is also a ferry to take a nice river cruise. You can always rent a boat.
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Elabuga It is a unique town where the architectural ensemble of the trading and dwelling developments of the 19th century has remained intact. When you come here you immediately immerce yourself in the atmosphere of a merchant town. There are more than 180 cultural monuments in Elabuga.
leading to the top of the Minaret a man recieves indulgence of his sin. Having got to the second floor you get a chance to see the pride of Tatarstan – the largest in the world Koran. Its size is two by one and a half metres and it weighs 800 kilogramms. Its gigantic cover is decorated with 24-carat gold, silver and thousands of precious stones. Saint Gabdrakhman well is another sight full of
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legends. You can wash your face, hands or even bathe in the healthful water. At least, take a bottle of it with you. As legend has it, the prophet Gabdrakhman was travelling in these places when a daughter of the Bulgar Khan Aydarkhan got ill. The prophet thrusted his staff in the ground and dessued the underground waters. The spring waters cured the princess Tuybeeke and since that time the well has been believed to be sacred.
The main sight of the town is Chertovo gorodishche. A lonely tower on the steep bank of the River Kama is considered to be an ancient architectural monument of Tatarstan. This territory was inhabited by the local tribes long before the foundation of Volzhskaya Bulgaria. In its golden age there was a fortified settlement of bulgars here. The corner tower more than 7 meters high is the only remain of the fortifications. Elabuga is 200 kilometers away from Kazan. The most comfortable and pleasant way to get there is by the river transport.
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Kazan is a Millenary city which offers visitors a taste of two very different worlds, and in fact, it is the place where people can experience first-hand, some of Russia’s oldest historical tales and developments between the Tatars of the Golden Horde and the early Slavs to the Russia of the first Tsars.
This is one of the reasons why I love Kazan: because of its multicultural flavor, it is one of the very few cities in Russia where one can experience what the merging of two cultures and two languages is. I find that Russian people as a whole, and of course Kazan is no exception, are very hospitable and utterly friendly people towards tourists and foreigners.
My family and I like Kazan’s parks.
Fountains, children’s play areas and bicycle paths – all of them give joy to my sons! And I simply adore lake Goluboye. I’ve swum in it 5 times: it’s really a heroic deed for an African – the water is freezing cold!
aircraft engineer
сетевой бизнесмен, businessman, предприниматель Entrepreneur
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WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK Be ready that food is plentiful and tasty in Kazan. You will have to eat a lot of it. Nearly all the world cuisines are presented in Tatarstan from the Russian borshch and porridges to the Indian curry and paneer. But first of all Kazan is famous for its traditional Tatar dishes. The local cuisine has been formed in the last centuries under the influence of different cultures and still preserves its distinctive character. Not any gourmand will stay indifferent to the bazillion of restaurants and cafes of the city.
Mark Nickols, interpreter, Great Britain Staraya Buhara near the Kremlin does really good Uzbek food, and the décor is also really interesting. The business lunch set menus are really nice with some bread and tea, and if you like you can always smoke a shisha afterwards. Plov and lagman are always winners. If you prefer Italian, Basilico on Baumana does very nice pizzas.
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must-try Start with main courses. The central part of the menu is taken by soups and broths. First and foremost try tokmach. It’s soup with finely cut noodles. Its classical recipe is based on meat broth served with herbs and an egg. The local pelmeni are nice. Same as in the Russian cuisine they are cooked of flour-and-water paste with minced meat or vegetables. Hemp seeds and the size of pelmeni give additional flavor to the Tatar pelmeny. Local pelmeni are tiny, like jewels, with a very thin layer of paste. One more delicious dish is azy po-tatarsky. It’s usually beef or mutton, stewed with vegetables. It is served with potatoes. A small salted cucumber adds relish to the dish. The Tatar cuisine is rich in its pastry, so forget about being on a diet. On menus of common dining places as well as sophisticated
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Mark Nickols, interpreter, Great Britain
restaurants you will always find echpochmak. It’s a triangular yeasted-dough pie filled with mutton, potatoes and onions. Elesh is a round meatand-potato pie (beef or chicken). You must order hot broth to it. In this combination you enjoy the
taste the most. You will find the pie of two types: a smaller one is good for the journey (instead of sandwiches), a bigger one is cooked for a family or a big company of friends. The larger pie is called zur belish. Its filling can be different, it’s mostly meat (mutton, beef, chicken)
Oleksandr Vershynin, bank clerk, USA I recommend Pasta on Levo-Bulachnaya, it is very good and they have good service! It used to be called Pesto. It is an Italian place. I also recommend Wok & Go, it is simple, cheap and they have awesome food! I also recommend Il Patio. It is also good. Another good place that is more American and has great pizza is Papa Johns! I went to many restaurants while in Kazan, so I have some other recommendations: La Le that is in the center. A good place to have a drink is on Baumana in a place called Kraft Beer, it is great. They have different beers each time you come there and the atmosphere is really relaxing.
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For a more general venue, you can’t go wrong with Staryj Ambar on Pushkina – they do food, drinks, shisha, and always show sport on television. If you want a dance as well, there are plenty of clubs along Baumana and the surrounding streets. Try whichever takes your fancy!
with potatoes or rice. The top of the pie is divided among the tablemates, the filling is eaten with fork and knife. No doubt the main traditional sweet treatment is chak-chak. Tourists call the dessert “honey nuts”. It’s a good souvenir, a business present or a gift for family occasions. Chak-chak is sold practically in all food stores. As it is a long-stored dessert, please don’t fail to buy several boxes of it. Those who prefer deli meat will like the taste of kazylyk (kazy) – horse cured sausage, cooked according to the traditional recipes. It also makes a good souvenir. The best horse sausage is sold at the local markets.
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DRINKS
WORTH TRYING Peremyach is a round meat pie (without potatoes). In the old days it had the filling of finely cut meat and it was fried in oil in large cooking pots. It was food for breakfast served with broth. For vegetarians there is a fried flatbread with potato filling called kastybyi. For dessert you can have tatly which means “sweet, tasty”. These are small rolls made of dried fruit and berries paste (prunes and dried apricots) and butter cream. Another delicious dessert which is much of a cheese cake is called smetannik. But instead of cheese and cream it is puff pastry with the filling of sour cream whisked with sugar.
Try gubadya. It is a pie made of rice, raisins and cottage cheese. It’s a rather strange mixture but the pie is really good. The most unusual oriental sweet treatment is talkysh kaleve. Somehow it resembles cotton candy. Cotton candy is made of granulated sugar whereas talkysh kaleve is made of honey according to a very complicated technology. That is why it is worth trying, at least once. The treatment looks like white pyramids which melt in the mouth.
Igor Sevrugin, journalist You prefer burgers and craft beer then go straight to Top Hop. You want to try the Tatar cuisine and you can spend a handsome ransom then you should visit Dom tatarskoy kulinariyi (the House of the Tatar cuisine) on Baumana. You want to save and to try the same dishes then head to the opposite building Dom Chaia (Tea House). Have a drink? In Tatarstan you must drink tea with milk and eat dried fruit and chak-chak only. Joking. Go to Cuba Libre. You can dance there everywhere, even on the tables.
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Guests are always met with tea in Kazan. Tea drinking is a great tradition for the Tatar people. Earlier it was normal to have more than one cup of tea with your guests (about 15-20 cups). Now they infuse herbs and add milk or dried apricots. If you like dairy and fermented milk produce, then try several traditional drinks. Kumys is good, sour-sweet and very refreshing. Ayran is made of cow’s or goat’s milk with lactobacillus. It looks like liquid sour cream. It is light but filling. The drink is good to quench your thirst. Katyk is a variety of prostokvasha. It is made of boiled milk fermented by special bacterial cultures. Katyk is very nourishing and at the same time good for health. All the restaurants and cafes with traditional cuisine are located in the historical center of the city. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals where to have a good drink and food.
ALCOHOL DRINKS Those who prefer stronger beverages go straight to places with minibreweries. There are several places in Kazan where you will find tens of the best sorts of the frothy drink. Among mild alcohol drinks balms Bugulma, Chistai, Tatarstan are appreciated the most. Their recipes have been known since the old days and they are composed of the herbs like John’s wood, oregano, marigolds, yarrow, blackberries and birch buds. The spirits for the balms is finely distilled. Those balms can be a good present for your friends and colleagues. But remember, alcohol is not sold in Kazan at night. However, the restriction doesn’t extend to bars, cafes and restaurants.
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MUST-HAVE The people of Tatarstan respect the national culture and their ancestors’ traditions so you can always buy interesting, authentic souvenirs. They are sold in chain supermarkets as well as indigenous shops.
hat with a tassel. Kalfak is embroidered with silver and golden threads, beads, pearls, semi-precious stones and twisted braid.
Headwear Nobody can pass by Tartar skullcaps without notice; you find them everywhere in Kazan. This ancient men’s headwear of round shape and flat top the locals call “tyubetey”. For women there is a special gift – kalfak. It somehow resembles a modern sports
Traditional footwear Traditional footwear of genius leather is a real delight for tourists. Ichigi – lightweight high boots of soft leather are especially popular. They are decorated with patterns and Tartar fancy stitches. These high boots with bright colorful ornaments will queen their owners at any party all over the world.
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You can always buy other shoes: slippers with gently curved pointed toes. This form of shoes demonstrates respect to the old belief that it’s unacceptable to hurt land with toes of boots.
Tasty presents Dry horse cured sausage “kazalyk” takes a special place in the national Tartar cuisine. This meat deli is made of natural ingredients and will make a magnificent present for men or all those who adore meat. Many people will also appreciate local low-alcohol herb-infused balms.
Kazan cat Kazan cat is a wonderful character of the Tartar folklore. The legend says that it was the cat that saved the last Kazan Khan by warning him of the tunnel,dug under the Kremlin wall. Moreover, local cats are known to be the best catchers of mice. In 1745 the Empress Elizabeth I ordered to bring to Saint Petersburg 30 representatives of this noble breed to catch rodents in the Winter Palace. Nowadays, you can find these lovely animals absolutely everywhere in Kazan – in the form of souvenirs, toys and even monuments. Different signs promise the tourists that Kazan cat attracts wealth and good luck.
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I’m studying to become a designer. I like to turn simple things into something extraordinary. And so I make woolen brooches, paint, attend theatre classes of inclusive studio “Inclusion” and write plays. I also conduct “classes of kindness” where I tell the students about the very notion of being physically challenged and at the same time the ability to accept it. I speak about barrier-free environment, arrange charity master classes and I have my blog @devochka_na_kolesax.
Kazan is my home city and I love it. I have a lot of favourite places here. One of them is the laboratory “Ugol” (corner). It’s Creative House where I come to see modern plays, take part in different laboratories, study scriptwriting. I’m also a drama student of the inclusive school here. In summer I race in my powerchair along the central streets. I often turn into cozy side streets lined with old wooden houses. Unfortunately, from year to year these houses have been lessening in number, that is why I like to come to see them so that I could imprint their lovely images in my memory forever.
student
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I like Kazan for its culture. For me it’s like a diamond with lots of facets. And it’s a really lively city. Sport contributes much to this characteristic. Most of all I like to go to the stadiums.
My friends and I are happy that such big sports events as the World Cup have become accessible for physically challenged people. It’s very important for us. We get an energetic boost from the sport!
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WHERE TO STAY USEFUL ADVICE It’s no problem to choose a hotel in Kazan. A lot of new hotels were built in 2013 when the city received the 27th Worldwide Summer Universiade. There are more than 600 hotels for any taste and budget. If you are accustomed to luxury then make your choice out of 4and 5-star hotels. A stunning view of the city from the windows of the hotels in the central part will be a great bonus. Average level hotels save your money. Mini-hotels with no stars are a budget choice. According to the tourists,
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that type of hotels have a good balance of price and quality. Besides, many of them are within walking distance of architectural masterpieces and cultural monuments. For recent years the number of hostels has increased in Kazan. They offer one and two-level beds, without “men’s” and “women’s” rooms. A good supplement to it is a snack-bar, an electric kettle and free Wi-Fi in rooms. As a rule, the hotel staff speak two languages – Russian and English. It is not recommended to drink tap water. You
can drink it boiled or buy bottled water. Sockets are Europe type. Electrical line voltage – 220 V, net frequency-50 Hz. Tips for waiters, maids at hotels, taxi drivers and tour guides are appreciated and make about 5-10 percent of orders. Tips are not obligatory but if you are happy with the service, tips could be a sign of good manners.
Usually all the hotels, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars take credit cards. In some cases you can be asked to pay in cash. Many banks are closed Saturday and Sunday. Monday – Friday, opening hours 9-19. Shops are open daily. Some food supermarkets and pharmacies are open 24 hours a day. No lunch breaks.
Mark Nickols, interpreter, Great Britain As one of Russia’s most popular tourist destinations, there is a great variety of places to stay, from Western chain hotels like the Marriot and Sheraton to smaller, locally-run hostels. Most places will register you as well (if you are in a city for longer than one week, you need to register there).
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information go to the official site: www.kazanmetro.ru
Bus, tram, trolleybus There is a unique land transport system in Kazan. As a rule, you buy tickets from the conductor, more seldom from the driver. You will save money if you buy special cards valid for all the three means of transport.
TRANSPORT City transport in Kazan is very developed. There are buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro there. Most of the stops are equipped with electronic panels informing of routes and arrival time. Unit charge rate.
Metro The Kazan metro was opened to the public in 2005 and is the youngest underground in Russia. It has 10 stations, all connected by one line that goes through the tourist zone with 3 stops: Kremlevskaya, Ploshchad Tukaya, Sukonnaya sloboda. Pay at the entrance with tokens (zheton) or smart-cards. 50
It’s easier to buy tokens directly at the box-offices or the ticket machines before you take the metro. You put a token into the slot of the ticket barrier and pass at the green light. Free for children under 7. Those with little children ask the inspector to let the children pass through separately. You can always buy a smart-
card for a certain number of rides (1-49 rides). Those cards are widely used among the locals and the guests who come to Kazan for a long time. Metro working hours 06:00 – 24:00. All the carriages are free Wi-Fi zone. The stations are announced in three languages – Russian, Tatar and English. Like in other Russian undergrounds you can have an endless roundtrip for one ticket. You won’t go wrong if you observe all the stations. Some of them are real masterpieces. For more
It makes sense to purchase them if you stay long and often go by bus, tram or trolleybus. The buses in Kazan are red. Buses, trams, trolleybuses run on time from 6:00 till 22:00 (give or take 30 minutes depending on the route). In the evening the intervals can get longer than during the day time. Thus be ready to wait or take a taxi.
Taxi There are 35 taxi services in Kazan with more than 2 thousand automobiles. To call a taxi you can use several application programs. For safety reasons take only official taxis and don’t trust private carriers. kazan 51
DON’T MISS
Stadium The Carriage of Catherine the Great
Stadium “Kazan Arena” “Kazan Arena” will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage matches, one match of Round of 16 and one match of the quarter-final.
Kul-Sharif Mosque
The Cathedral of the Annunciation Kazan Kremlin Tchasha
Capacity: 45 379 Ulitsa Baumana
The Palace of Agriculture
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The Epiphany Cathedral
Location: Chistopolskaya Ulitsa, Novo-Savinovsky district Transport: bus stop “Football stadium “Kazan Arena” (5 minutes on foot); bus stop “Ulitsa Gavrilova”(10 minutes on foot) kazan 53
USEFUL INFORMATION Useful telephone For fire service, call
For police, call
01
numbers For ambulance, call
02
03 HELLO
112
112
112
GOOD GOOD MORNING
HI
MORNING
220 V 50 Hz WI FI
WI FI
In all the cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup you have an easy access to the Internet, free WiFi zones in hotels and in WI FI a great number RESTAURANT of cafes and restaurants.
HI
Europe-type sockets
Mobile telephony 3G, 4G, LTE
HELLO
112 04
112 Electricity
24‑hour emergency call centre (mobile phone) – 112
Internet
For gas service, call
RESTAURANT
HOTEL
Money, currency exchange
WI FI
V
WI FI
HOTEL
WI FI RESTAURANT
WI FI You can exchange money in banks and RESTAURANT in bureaus de change located in large shopping centers. Never change money from private dealWI FI ers.
WI FI HOTEL
V
RESTAURANT
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USEFUL INFORMATION 55
HELLO HELLO
HI
GOOD GOOD MORNING MORNING
HI
HELLO
OLLEH Foreign Languages IH
M
HI
Every city district in Russia has its post office where from you can send a parcel, a letter or a postcard.
Most of hotel staff and those in tourist business speak English. In case you need to ask a question in the street, address it to people under 30 – they are likely to speak English.
HELLO
GOOD MORNING
Post office
GOOD MORNING
HI
211 WI FI
WI FI RESTAURANT
WI FI WI FI HOTEL
Car rent
V
IF IW
In emergency
IF IW
HOTEL HOTEL
In any unusual situations appeal to the police. With any problems and questions at the stadiums, fan-zones or railway stations appeal to the volunteers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
V
You can rent a car in most of the large citiesR in Russia. You need to have a regular passport and a valid driving license, no less than 1 year of driving experience.
TNARUATSER
V V
V
LETOH
RR
R
211 56
USEFUL INFORMATION 57
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Federal Agency for Tourism
