Kazan, Tatarstan, Russian Federation
The main highlight and reason for coming to Kazan was to visit the Qul Sharif Mosque inside the Kazan Kremlin. I'd first seen this on Euronews about a dozen years ago and was fascinated that such a beautiful Mosque can exist in Russia and was inspired to visit one day.
The biggest delay were pains in getting a Russia visa from my first experience in 2015 when they rejected me twice with absurd requests such as a stamp from the hotel in Russia confirming paid. Fortunately I had no issues and was able to get the visa this time.
There was rolling drizzle as I was heading up Bauman St the main pedestrian thrufare. Eventually arrived at Kremlin outer walls as the skies seemed to clear, though still chilly.
The inside of the Kremlin was quite large. Its free entry but many buildings so you have to orient your way around. First I found a Cathedral while looking for the Mosque.
The Mosque is quite impressive and elaborate in its design both outside and inside. The interior had marble floors so you could keep your shoes on.
The only way was up to a visitors viewing gallery. This Mosque is very touristy with tour groups so they do not allow visitors in the main hall, though I could have asked to go in and pray. I had already been to the other Tatar Mosques this morning (previous entry) so it didnt matter to me.
In the lower level of the Mosque is a museum. Entry is 200 Rub ($4 Cad). This made up for not going in the Mosque as it had an interesting history of Islam in Russia, not something you would expect or we know too much about in the west.
After my years of waiting and the long flight to get to Kazan it was a bit anti-climatic not being able to go into the Mosque itself but still worth the visit, and fortunately clear weather.
Just outside the main entrance to the Kremlin is the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan. I didnt know if would be repetition of the Mosque museum but was somewhat different.
Entrance was 150 Rub ($3 Cad). Exhibits ranged from early man, medieval history, ethnography, Tsarist Russia, and Soviet times.
Heading out I saw signs to another church so detoured a bit though didnt want to do the extra walking. I needed to get a big warm meal to replenish me.
Back on Bauman I didnt see anything that filling and refused to goto Burger King or KFC. I had to do a long detour back to the Tatar district to find restaurants.
I ended up with a veal dish for 600 Rub ($12 Cad) but didnt find it that filling and probably needed double portions. I then sat and waited in my hotel lobby for my 10pm overnight train resting and recharging the camera batteries.
Also see vlog of todays https://youtu.be/dua1cxZM2mc
2025-05-23