or the Temple of the Universe (Russian: Vselensky Chram)  is an architectural complex, consisting of  several  types of religious architecture including an Orthodox church, a minaret, and a synagogue, among others. It is currently under construction, having been started in 1992 by local artist and philanthropist Ildar Khanov. The main idea of Khanov is that all religions are equal and there is no sense to  argue about it. He says that eventually the structure will have 16 cupolas, corresponding to the 16 major world religions. Although the temple is located quit far (in the Staroye Arakchino Microdistrict of Kazan), it is worth going there if you are interested in architecture.  You can reach this place with “electrichka” or with a bus (№ 2, 45): “Staroye Arakchino” stop.

Since many years there is a flea market in Kazan on the bus stop called “Tinchurina”. In 80-90-s it was famous as book market. Now you can buy a lot of cool old stuff there- books, technics (including retro cameras), DVDs, antiquaries and many other things for cheap prices. Probably you could find  much greater sovenier here than matroyshka or ushanka. Opened on Sundays from  9:00 till 13:00

Culture of street market is very developed in Kazan, although it is already becoming replaced by European supermarkets.Central market  is the most accessible and gives you a good idea of the atmosphere. Here you can find everyting for very cheap prices - fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat , as well as some delicious, locally made treats. A walk around the stalls seeing what’s on offer is an experience in itself.  It is not so popular around young people, but it’s a good chance to discover Russia of 90-s, as almost nothing changed in the market since that years.

Here you can find a lot of art pieces, of course not like in St Petersburg’s Hermitage but still. The exposition is quit big: icons, jewelry, pictures of Shishkin, Serov, Feshin (famous Russian artists), also some works of European artists.  The museum is located in a very beautiful old building, former house of Russian aristocrat. There are also other museums in Kazan near the Kremlin , but mostly they are about history, so  first  check Museum of Arts.

The biggest concentration of  Kazan’s young educated people is here for sure.  KFU is one of the oldest Russian universities  and has a really rich history. It presented to the world a lot of genius graduates, such as V.Lenin, N.Lobachevsky and L.Tolstoy.  The main building of university is really beautiful and worth visiting, although security system there is very strict. So you’d better find  some students outside who could show you everything around and help you get inside. There is a tall building on the opposite side, where you can have a nice view of the city from the window on the last floor. Between these 2 buildings is a meeting point for all students called “Skovorodka”(in English – frying pan”) with the memorial of Vladimir Lenin in the centre. Especially in warm times it’s nice to sit and talk there with a cigarette -  don’t hesitate to come along as students are very open-minded and most of them can speak English.

Kazan at night with a lot of lights is really beautiful. I would highly recommend to spend at least one evening on the bank of Kazanka river. It’s one of the most favorite places of Kazan citizens. Romantic atmosphere and amazing view are guaranteed. It’s also really nice there when it’s warm and sunny to make a picnic. You just simply find the riverside  if you go straight ahead from Kremlin, or if you go to “NKC”, fancy place, but very popular among young people in summer. The bus stop – “Ploschad svobody”. 

(in Russian – Petropalovsky Sobor) is unordinary and the most beautiful cathedral in Kazan , belonging to one of the most famous Russian churches in Naryshkin Baroque style.  It is highly recommended to go there on  Sunday morning before the bells ring and to see the service afterwards. From the top of the steps leading to the main entrance you will have one of the most perfect views of the Kazan skyline possible.

In the last years it became popular to feel nostalgic for Soviet Union  and everything that was connected with it. For foreign people it should be even more exciting as they didn’t experience it. The best place to plague into the atmosphere of that period is Soviet Lifestyle Museum. It’s a unique place, where everybody travels through 70-80th  years  of the 20th century. With the help of various artifacts it is easy to understand  how lived the biggest and most powerful multinational country named USSR.  When you get to the museum don't miss the Soviet secondary school exposition - there you can witness the miniconcentration camp Soviet kids had to go through to learn a thing or two about life. The gallery of socialist art will give you a good introduction to sublime frequencies that were affecting the consciousness of the more creative people. Finish with the collection of Soviet propaganda books to get a dosage of ideological brainwash in style.

(with a really long official name – Tatar State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named Musa Jalil) is a “must go” place. It’s in a very beautiful  classical building , and when you come inside you feel like being in 19th century.  Try to attend the performance during your stay in Kazan, depends on what you prefer – opera or ballet. Comparing with Moscow and St.Petersburg  tickets are surprisingly cheap - usually everything in Russia is heavily overpriced and way ahead of the service. Here it is the other way round. Check their website http://kazan-opera.ru/en/ to see what is going on at the theatre at the moment.

Baumana street is the central street in Kazan, it is worth visiting at least because of its popularity among Kazan citizens.  It has some of the same features as Moscow’s Arbat: fountains, streets artists, a variety of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. At the end of the street (the Tukaya Ploshchad end) stands a statue of Fyodor Shalyapin, the most famous russian opera singer.  Just  a little bit further there is the  Belltower of  Bogoyavlensky cathedral (“sobor”), the symbol of Baumana Street. It  is the highest old building in Kazan (63 m)  and always one of the favorite tourist sights.

Baumana street is situated in the “heart” of Kazan and became a classic place for meetings. Here you will find everything you need,  if  it concerns accommodation, cashpoints, food, souvenirs, entertainment or something else.  You will be lucky if you see here  the most popular street singer of Kazan – a strange guy with naked breast(even in winter), who plays  the guitar. Don’t miss the chance to buy here a typical tatar national hat – “tubeteica” or tatar candies – “chak-chak”.  Nevertheless, I would not advise you to walk through the Baumana street late in the night, as you can meet here “gopniki”(brutal guys, who like to fight).

Every city has its main sight, and in this case  Kremlin is Kazan’s symbol. It is worth going there without any doubts. After Moscow’s red Kremlin complex, Kazan Kremlin with its snow-white walls  tends to be the most beautiful in Russia. It includes many buildings: Annunciation Cathedral, Soyembike Tower, Spasskaya Tower, Secret Tower, Presidential Palace  and mosque  Qol-Sharif. I would recommend to take audio guide, because there are  a lot of interesting legends and stories about this place- of course, it has a rich history since 16th century. In 2000 it was granted with a status of World Heritage.

A much larger and better museum than you would probably expect, the Samara War History Museum is a nice surprise. Although in a city that seems quite proud of its role in the World War 2, perhaps it's understandable that this museum is good quality. The museum almost exclusively focuses on this war, when Samara was made the 'reserve' capital of Russia and assisted the Russian war effort through its aviation industry. The museum has a lot of displays of weaponry and many other artifacts. But possibly the most alluring objects in the museum are the attention-grabbing war-time paintings. There is also a large, interesting diorama of a battle, complete with sounds effects. Admission costs 15R ($0.55) for students, 20R ($0.75) for adults and 50R ($1.85) for foreigners.
Address: Rabochaya Ul., #1. Tel: 232-0970. Open 10:00-17:00, closed Saturday and Monday.

Samara's biggest and most comprehensive museum has displays on everything to do with Samara and the surrounding region. There are exhibits on archaeology and paleontology in the region, including dinosaur bones that were discovered locally. The ethnographical section has exhibits about the people who lived in the Volga area long before Samara existed. The modern history section is heavy on Samara during World War Two and there are also religious, art and nature collections among many other subjects. The museum has three affiliates in other parts of Samara. The Kurlin Mansion (Frunze Ul., #159. Tel: 233-2498. Open Tues-Sun 10-18) mainly covers the history of the city of Samara from 1586 until the start of the 20th Century. They make you wear ridiculous, big slippers over your shoes so you don't harm the floorboards. The House-Museum of Mikhail Frunze (Frunze Ul., #114. Tel: 233-6636. Open Mon-Sat 10-18) is devoted to the Russian Civil War in general. But maybe the biggest attraction is the House-Museum of the Ulyanov Family (Leninskaya Ul., #131. Tel: 232-3668. Open Mon-Sat 9-17), which is the house where the young Lenin lived with his family from 1890-93. Admission to each museum costs 15R ($0.55) for students, 30R ($1.10) for adults and 60R ($2.20) for foreigners.

When the German's had almost reached Moscow in 1941 Samara was chosen as a 'reserve' capital, mainly for its advantageous geographical location. While many of the top Kremlin officials were relocating to Samara work had begun on accommodation for Stalin. A team of more than 500 metro builders from Moscow, sworn to complete secrecy, were brought to Samara to construct the bunker. The 8-meter diameter shaft down to the bunker was dug by hand to an incredible depth of 37 meters. The project was carried out in complete secrecy so that not even the neighbors knew that construction was going on. These days the bunker is a museum, and would probably be Samara's greatest tourist attraction if it wasn't so hard to get into. You have to go with a tour group to see it. Individual tourists might be able to tag along with a tour group but the chances aren't good. If you make it down the shaft you'll see the bunker preserved as it was in the 1940s. Features include a conference hall, offices for the top Kremlin brass, living rooms, a dining room, all adorned in an amazingly opulent fashion. Incidentally, Stalin decided to stay in Moscow so never used the bunker himself.

The Pokrovsky Cathedral is a beautiful church both outside and inside. Built in 1861 it ranks as one of Samara's oldest standing churches. Apparently at the start of the 20th Century it was even more lavishly decorated, but many of its riches were sold off to feed local citizens in the 1920s. Pokrovsky Cathedral was also the last church in Samara to be closed after the revolution, keeping its doors open until 1946. The grounds around the church aren't large but the overall ensemble and elegant entrance gates make a delightful overall impression. Entrance to the church is free. You can also try some of the bread that is baked on the grounds.
Address: Leninskaya Ul., #75a.

At the very center of the city stands this small square, which inconveniently stands in the middle of an intersection between two busy roads. Taking pride of place in the middle of the square is the ubiquitous Lenin statue, this particular one sculpted by Matvei Manizer. A statue of Alexander II used to stand in this spot until it was toppled in favor of the symbol of the new regime. Incidentally, the young Lenin once worked in the building across from the square which houses the district court, (Kuibysheva Ul., #66). Although it's not a particularly spacious or beautiful square, Ploshchad Revolutsii is popular with families and acts as a meeting point in the city. There are just enough grassy areas to keep the children satisfied.
Directions: The square is in the very center of the city where Kuibysheva Ulitsa intersects with Ventseka Ulitsa.

The main feature on the Ploshchad Chapaeva is the Samara Drama Theater. Construction of this beautiful building finished in 1888, under the guidance of architect Mikhail Chichagov who designed it in a "Moscow baroque" style. Locals are very proud of their theater, both the building and the quality of productions performed there, so catching a performance while in town could be a good option. The ticket office is on the north side (closest to the Volga) of the theater and is open from 11:00-18:30 daily except Mondays.

In the center of this small square stands a monument to Chapaev, designed by Matvei Manizer in 1932. Vasily Chapaev himself was a distinguished military commander who joined the Bolshevik Party in 1917 and subsequently fought against the White Army in the Civil War. He disappeared after an ambush in 1919 when he tried to escape by swimming across a river. He posthumously rose to legendary status after the publication of a book called Chapaev by Dmitry Furmanov in 1924. The book was made into a popular movie ten years later. The striking statue features Chapaev at the front of a band of soldiers, urging them onwards.
Directions: Ploshchad Chapaeva is on the corner of Frunze Ulitsa and Rabochaya Ulitsa.

It might not be world famous, but Zhigulevskoe beer is well-known throughout Russia. The brewery was founded by Austrian Alfred von Wakano in 1881, one year after his arrival in the city. The industrial brewery building is a sight in itself, but these days there is also a small bar and restaurant in the building that serves some moderately-priced Russian food and, of course, the brewery's produce. Honestly, Zhigulevskoe beer isn't great - it was originally conceived as a budget beer and remains so today, meaning that the quality suffers. Von Wakano seemed to like it enough though. Apparently he had beer pipeline from the brewery to his house installed so that he would be in constant supply. At least until the Revolution when von Wakano was forced to flee and his Samara-born sons were apparently killed. Von Wakano's house (Rabochaya Ul., #3) is also worth a look for its architectural merits.

Founded in 1850, the Iversky Women's Monastery, or nunnery, was once home to more than 500 nuns. The ensemble, which faces the Volga and includes chapels and a 70 meter belfry as well as accommodation for the sisters, is largely a late 19th and early 20th Century creation. The monastery was closed in 1925 and used as a residence for the workers at the Zhigulevsky Brewery across the street. Parts of the monastery were destroyed in the following years. Reopened in 1991, the monastery has been the subject of a huge refurbishment effort that has it looking pristine once again. Perhaps not particularly inspiring by its history or treasures, the Iversky Monastery is nonetheless an aesthetically pleasing creation and is well worth a look. The monastery is also renowned for its crafts so is a good source of souvenirs.