«THE FIFTH ELEMENT» THIRD CAPITAL

Tour program

• Day 1

  WELCOME TO KAZAN!

  Check-in into the hotel.

• Day 2

  EARTH

  10:00 - We begin our journey in search for impressions, strolling through the very heart of the city. We will walk along the most famous street of Kazan - Bauman. The length of this massive street reached almost two kilometers. Monuments from different eras can be found here: ancient churches coexist with modern shopping centers, with the entrances to the subway stations looking akin to the gates leading to the cellars within medieval castles. We will see the buildings that belonged to the merchants Shmelev and Smolentsov, the monument to Chaliapin, the Kachalov theater, construced in 1833, the House of the Press, the National Bank, the Solomin-Smolin house, the Karetnikov manor, the buildings of the John the Baptist monastery, dating all the way back to around 1564-1568, Nikolsky Cathedral, Epiphany Cathedral, a statue dedicated to the cat symbolizing Kazan, the "Zero Meridian" - a construction in the form of a compass indicating the distance from Kazan to major cities of Russia and the world, "Walk of Fame" - analogous to the renowned Hollywood landmark, but with the names of Tatar celebrities, and picturesque fountains: one - with statues of frogs, the other decorated with sculpted doves, and the third - a sculpture of Su Anasy - a mermaid-esque creature prominent in Tatar mythology. 11:00 - We pay a visit to the fantastic Kazan Kremlin - the heart of the capital of Tatarstan - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of Kazan began here, a chronicle of two great peoples. As different as they were, they still managed to create a single cultural space. Inside the fortress many architectural monuments have survived to this day, reminding tourists that Muslims and Orthodox Christians were able to establish a joint, peaceful way of life, which has proven to itself immutable for more than four centuries. In the ancient fortress's grounds there are many things to behold: ancient towers and cathedrals, the most famous mosque in Russia and Europe, historical and memorial buildings, museums and galleries, observation decks. We'll see: Towers of the Kazan Kremlin - Spasskaya, Taynitskaya and others; Orthodox religious sites: The Palace Church, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Transfiguration Monastery of our Savior, the Bishop's House; Muslim religious sites: The Kul Sharif mosque with four high minarets, a statue glorifying the feat of Musa Jalil; Historical buildings: the ruins of the Khan's palace, the Syuyumbike watchtower, the Governor's Palace, the Junker's school and the Artillery yard, the building of the Military manege, and the figures of zilants – mythological dragon-like creatures that have come to symbolize the city of Kazan. 13:00 - Our guide will recommend a cozy and tasty place to grab a lunch at. 14:30 - We board our trusty vehicles and continue the hunt for impressions! We'll see: - Ancient Tatar settlement with old Tatar mosques; - the mystical Lake Wild Boar; - Building of the Tatar Academic Theater named after G. Kamal, constructed in a unique architectural style; - Tatar village "Tugan Avylym"; - Fairytale palace - "Ekiyat" puppet theater; - Kazan University; - Freedom Square - the cultural and administrative center of Kazan; - The Mother of God Monastery and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - Kazan Arena - Palace for the Family "Kazan" 16:30 - We leave for the most unique religious site- the Temple of All Religions. It unites 16 elements of different religions, both modern - for example, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, etc., and those that were practiced in the past, such as the ancient Assyrian religion. We will make several stops during the route, so you will be able to capture bright and beautiful shots! 17:00 - Return to the hotel.

  

  

  

  

• Day 3

  FIRE AND WATER

  Breakfast at the hotel 11:00 - We leave for the port of Kazan to board a pleasure boat and venture towards the Island City of Sviyazhsk. En route you will enjoy the picturesque magnificence of the river, wonderful air, and unique architechural creations standing along the waterfront. You will also sail under the M7 bridge, and behold the Temple of All Religions and the Makaryevsky Monastery from the water. 13:00 - Arrival to the Island. We will walk through the territory of the Dormition Monastery, included in the UNESCO list. Admiring the Church of the Holy Trinity, the only wooden building on the island, preserved from the 16th century, you will get understand the mystery behind the construction of such a massive structure that was accomplished without using a single nail. We may be able to expolre the inner chambers of the structure, witnessing at the hall where Ivan the Terrible prayed before his assault on Kazan. The Rapture of All Who Sorrow Cathedral will surprise you with its unusual architecture - you will learn why it was built in the neo-Byzantine style and what was its used for during the Soviet times. You will look into Lazy Torzhok, an authentic place steeped in antiquity, enjoy the vistas of the mouth of the Volga and Sviyaga rivers and feel the atmosphere of the 500-year-old sacred island. We will take a short break for lunch during our walk in one of the island's taverns. 18:00 - Return to Kazan. Transfer to the hotel. A moment of respite to catch your breath. 21:00 - We go out to admire the illumination of evening Kazan. When dusk falls upon the metropolis, the hustle and bustle of the day is replaced by serenity. The majestic city dons a new look, flooding the imagination with the monumental nature of its buildings. Elegant architectural elements are accentuated by bright lights. A trip around Kazan at night will start from the historical center of the city. The Night Kremlin is a spectacle to behold, in which the Kul-Sharif Mosque, Syuyumbike Tower and the building of the Governor's Palace take the main roles. And how beautiful the panorama of the Kremlin looks from the opposite bank of the Kazanka River! We will venture there, making a brief stop near the Kazan Chalice - the wedding palace, the heart of the local family structure, where all the newlyweds go to in order to register their marriage. The Chalice itself will be shimmering with colorful lights, beautifully reflected in the waters of the Kazanka River. The Palace of Agriculture impresses with its architecture any visitor to the capital of the Tatar Republic. There you will see how a gigantic 20-meter sculpture of a tree that is simultaneously having its foliage wither away and growing new leaves in its place. The Ekiyat Puppet Theater, Kazan-Arena Stadium, Bulak Canal, Bauman Street, Kazan Riviera Ferris Wheel - each of the city's attractions is beautiful and unique in its own way. The old Tatar settlement in the light of the lanterns becomes even more fabulous. Low houses with carved shutters seem to have appeared straight out of a fairy tale. 23:00 - Return to the hotel

  

  

  

  

• Day 4

  AIR

  Breakfast at the hotel 11:00 - We will find ourselves on the highest observation deck of Kazan, standing tall at 80 meters above ground. You will behold the vistas of the Kremlin, the Kremlin Embankment, Millennium Bridge, Kazan Arena, Riviera Water Park, Ferris wheels and much more. 12:00 - We leave for the helipad to have ourselves an unforgettable helicopter trip, admiring the views of Kazan from a bird's eye view. But we will also accompany you to the wonderful and fabulously beautiful city of Bolgar. A storm of emotions is guaranteed to swell within you! A flight in a helicopter gives you an excellent view of the terrain thanks to the panoramic windows of the cockpit. Approximate flight time 1 h 20 m Bolgar is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. It is not only a place of many historical monuments, but a town which was able to preserve the atmosphere of the world of the distant past. Our flight will become your time machine, transporting you many centuries back.

  

  

  

  

• Day 5

  BYE-BYE, KAZAN!

  Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.