In 1825, projected by architect P.G.Pyatnitzky, was built the main building of Kazan University. Construction of the campus, as well as providing one by all necessary equipment for carrying out scientific researches and educational activity, was made under guidance of N.I.Lobachevsky, rector of the University during 1827-1846.

Azimov Mosque - one of the best monuments of Tatar national architecture with elements of Mauritanic style - was erected in 1887-90 (on the site of a wooden mosque from 1804). The minaret, decorated with white stone-carving, is about 51 metres high and has a maximum diameter 3 metres.

In 1906 after the project of architect K.L.Myufke was built one of the best mansions in Kazan. Nowadays the Museum of Fine Arts comprises works of Rockotov, Tropinin, Bryullov, Aivazovsky, Kuindji, Repin, Kramskoy, Savrasov, Serov, Kustodiev, and such celebrities as Shishkin, Feshin, Urmanche, Ben'kov, Vasil'ev, Fattakhov, Yakupov. In the Exhibition Hall are works by modern artists.

In 1908 another mansion was erected after the project of K.L.Myufke. It was made with rich modeling. Its interiors was decorated both in Gothic and Mauritanic style, and Ampir elements too. There is even the grotto with huge aquarium and creeping plants. Presently we have the National Library of Republic of Tatarstan here.

Composers' House (the headquarters of the Tatar Union of Composers)

Comedy performances of Kazan seminarists under guidance of playwright Sventitsky initiated the opening of Russian Theatre in Kazan. The permanent public Theatre was set up in Kazan in 1791. History of Russian Theatre associated with names of Shchepkin, Savina, Kachalov, Lensky, Medvedeva, Yakushenko, Zhilina. In 1947 one of the oldest theatres in Kazan - Russian Drama Theatre - was named after V.I.Kachalov.

December 22, 1906 is considering as the birthday of the professional Tatar Theatre. This day marked by the premiere of Galiaskar Kamal's play "Wretched child", performed by troupe "The Traveler". Tatar State Theatre was established on the base of this troupe in 1920. In 1939 the Tatar State Academic Theatre was named after Galiaskar Kamal, the classic of national Tatar drama. Kamal Theatre is famous for its masterly performance and talented productions. Plays by Kamal, Tinchurin, Gizzat, Isanbet, Faysi, Amir, Minnullin, Amirkhanov, Khusainov are very popular with people of different nationalities. The modern building of Kamal Theatre was constructed in 1986.

"Shamil's House", where is G.Tukay Museum now

Since 1874 the permanent Opera Theatre is functioning in Kazan. Tatar Opera as well as musical Comedy originated from the musical Drama, founded by the first professional conductor and composer Salich Saidashev. The place of Gabdulla Tukay for Tatar literature can be compared with the place of Alexander Pushkin for Russian one. The first Tatar national ballet on his fairy tale-poem "Shurale" was staged in Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1945 (composer F.Yarullin).

The construction of modern building of Opera and Ballet Theatre was finished in 1956. It was named after Musa Djalil - the national hero and poet (perished in the Moabit jail in 1944). Nowadays Shalyapin International Opera Festival and Rudolf Nuriev International Classic Ballet Festival became traditional in Tatar Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Great concert Hall of the Republic of Tatarstan

At present in Tatarstan there are 12 professional theatres, Conservatory, State Symphonic Orchestra, 22 museums, 1800 libraries with 30 mln books; an literature on Tatar, Russian and other languages is publishing annually. In Tatarstan operate some so-called "Creative Unions": Writers, Journalists, Composers, Cinematographers, Theatre Workers, Architects.

On this Web-page we have used some materials from the book:

"Kazan. The Enchanted Capital" (Flint River Press Ltd, London, 1995).