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Saturday, 17th October 1998
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Our next stop was Kazan,
and with it we were no longer in Russia
but in the autonomous republic of Tatarstan
(still part of the Russian Federation),
an hour ahead in time and, according to
some, in Asia. The people there believe
that they are descended from the Golden
Horde as they swept across Asia to the doorstep
of Europe. It was a fine city with a lot
of work being done by the local people to
make it look better. |
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The river station,
Kazan |
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First, we were taken
to the local mosque. Some of our party were
reluctant to enter, for fear of giving offence.
The local moslem guide insisted: "Your
God is our God", he said. He was most
welcoming and gave an intesting talk. |
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Our next stop was
the Kremlin |
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And then on to
the Peter and Paul Cathedral, constructed 1723-1726
to commemorate Tsar Peter's visit to Kazan. It is
outstanding architecturally, with its brilliantly
coloured exterior, its separate, six-storey bell-tower
45 metres high, and its circular open gallery. It
is in the ornate Russian baroque style, with an
abundance of eclectic decorative elements. The architecture
of this three-storey building is Russian in spirit,
but with the addition of a number of novel elements,
such as Corinthian capitals and moulded garlands.
It has a valuable gilded and carved wood ikonostasis,
two hundred and fifty years old. |
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During the trip
around the city, the tour guide said she had found
a place to exchange money: the potential shoppers
leapt to their feet. We went around the corner where
a rather furtive burly man did a good rate from
his car. A friend kept look out... We got some roubles,
and dashed back to the coach. |
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