The island-town of Sviyazhsk is an unusual and incredibly picturesque place that attracts tourists with its historical sights and beautiful panoramas. The town stands on a small piece of land in the middle of a green-blue flood formed by the waters of the mighty Volga and the Sviyaga River. Sviyazhsk can be called a large museum, where fascinating pages of history unfold before visitors.
The city has preserved monasteries and churches built 400-500 years ago. They withstood a difficult time and all the hardships, so that later they could be reborn and again become the spiritual centers of the Volga region. Many architectural monuments of Sviyazhsk are unique not only for Tatarstan, but for the whole of Russia. Their cultural value is recognized by world organizations.
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What to see and where to go in Sviyazhsk?
The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.
Since its founding in the middle of the 16th century, the monastery has been the main spiritual center of the entire Volga region and one of the richest monasteries in Russia. In the 18th century, after the secularization of the lands, it gradually began to decline, and during the Soviet period it was completely plundered and closed. The revival began in 1997. The main architectural monuments of the complex are the Assumption Cathedral and the St. Nicholas refectory church with a bell tower, built 400 years ago.
The cathedral is part of the Assumption Monastery ensemble. It is a unique example of Russian medieval architecture. The temple was erected in the classical Pskov-Novgorod style by craftsmen from Pskov from white hewn stone. The external decorations of the facade are made in the form of patterned kokoshniks, which were completed later - in the 18th century. Inside, fresco paintings from the era of Ivan the Terrible have been almost completely preserved.
The temple of the beginning of the XVIII century, erected on the site of a dilapidated wooden church. The first building was built with elements of the Baroque style. After the destruction in the 1930s, only the lower tier with fragments of frescoes remained from it. The restoration of the temple began after a thorough analysis of historical data, which made it possible to recreate its original appearance. Restoration work was completed in 2015.
A five-tiered tower 43 meters high, built in the 16th-17th centuries. Such structures in Russia are a rarity. It is an integral part of the Nikolskaya refectory church (the temple seems to have been specially built for it). At the beginning of the 19th century, the total number of bells reached 22, the largest of them weighed 8.5 tons. Only monks are allowed to enter the belfry.
Now the former convent is the courtyard of the Assumption Monastery, but until 1917 it was an independent institution. The first mention of it dates back to the middle of the 16th century. In 1919, the monastery was abolished and a museum-reserve was organized on its territory. The main architectural monuments are the wooden Trinity Church built in 1551, the one-domed church of Sergius of Radonezh built in 1604 and the cathedral in the name of the icon of the Mother of God, built in the neo-Byzantine style at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.
A small temple of the middle of the 16th century is the only wooden building in Sviyazhsk that has survived from those times. The church was cut down from larch and put up literally in one day. In subsequent centuries, the appearance of the building changed as a result of alterations and restorations, which led to a significant distortion of the historical appearance. The church resembles a wooden manor, and only the dome with a cross indicates a religious purpose.
The appearance of the cathedral is strikingly different from the appearance of the churches of Sviyazhsk. Unlike the latter, built in the manner of Russian architecture, it was erected in an elegant neo-Byzantine style. The temple has impressive dimensions - the spherical central dome reaches 32 meters in height. The external appearance of the building has been completely preserved, but interior was lost in Soviet time.
The temple was erected in 1604, it was originally built as a courtyard of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. It is a two-story stone building: earlier, utility and residential premises were located on the first level, and the church itself was on the second. Inside, a fragment of a 17th-century fresco depicting the Old Testament Trinity (a copy of the icon of the same name by Andrei Rublev) has been preserved.
The first church was erected under Ivan the Terrible in 1551; a building built in the 18th century in the style of ancient Russian architecture has survived to this day. Since 1939, a museum was located on its territory, until in 1993 the temple was transferred to the Orthodox community. The church is the only religious building in Sviyazhsk that does not belong to any monastery.
The church was built in the middle of the 18th century in the Baroque style, the classical bell tower was added later. At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was dismantled and all that a tourist can see today is the preserved brick foundation. Now a wooden cross has been erected on the site of the church. The plaque contains a photograph of the temple and its Short story. Restoration work has begun in recent years.
The main city square, founded on the site of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary destroyed in the 1930s (its ruins are nearby). The main administrative and public buildings are located here: government, post office, school, police, as well as cafes and shops. Equipped for tourists observation deck overlooking the picturesque floods of the Volga.
The museum collection is located on the territory of the building of the middle of the 19th century. It consists of several permanent exhibitions: "Pages of the history of Sviyazhsk", " Ancient city Sviyazhsk”, “Enchanted by the Island”, “Like Mother Volga…” and other thematic exhibitions that tell about the history of the city and acquaint visitors with its cultural heritage.
The museum opened in 2016 and immediately attracted the attention of visitors. The exposition is located in a city estate of the 19th century, which previously belonged to a family of wealthy burghers. It is dedicated to the history of the Red and White armies, their confrontation, as well as to the personalities who played a key role in the outcome of the war. A separate exposition tells about one of the leaders of the Revolution - Leon Trotsky.
In the 1940s, after the end of the Second World War, Sviyazhsk became a subdivision of the GAUAG and was used to keep prisoners (mainly political ones), as well as disabled people who were injured during the hostilities. The monument to the victims of repression was erected in 2011. It is a grating in stone through which a prisoner releases a dove.
The building is located on Rozhdestvenskaya Square, it houses the hotel of the same name. The historic stone and wood building was built in the 19th century and belonged to the merchant F. T. Kamenev. But this building has not survived to this day. In 2011, a new house was erected in its place. The restorers tried to recreate the original appearance and interior as much as possible.
A red brick building built at the beginning of the 20th century. It still fulfills its purpose (the secondary school is located here). Gothic elements can be seen on the central facade of the building - they are indicated by the lancet shape of the windows and the rose stained-glass window located under the roof - an architectural technique characteristic of Catholic churches.
One of the numerous exhibition halls of the Museum-Reserve "Island-city of Sviyazhsk", located in a two-story building, which was once part of the system of hydraulic structures of Sviyazhsk. The first floor - the base of the tower is made of stone, the second - of wood. Inside there is a small exhibition of paintings by local artists and an exhibition of handicrafts.
The complex is a historical reconstruction of Sviyazhsk, where you can immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of bygone centuries. Craft shops and shooting ranges operate here, impromptu military duels are regularly held in full historical attire and national dishes are prepared. You can also visit an exhibition of ancient weapons and armor.
The horse yard is located near the Assumption Monastery. The ensemble of buildings is architectural monument. After the restoration, an entertainment complex was launched on the territory of the courtyard. Here you can ride a horse, visit a smithy, bakery and honey shops, order a carriage and ride it around Sviyazhsk, dine in a restaurant and buy souvenirs.
Sviyazhsk is located on an island connected to the "mainland" by an isthmus, just at the place where Sviyaga and Volga meet, forming wide spills of incredible beauty. The city looks very picturesque from the pleasure boats passing by. Small islands and land areas are scattered in the middle of the mirror-like water surface, giving the surrounding landscape a unique flavor.
There is a wonderful monument of Russian antiquity in the Republic of Tatarstan - the island-town of Sviyazhsk, the sights of which delight with their beauty and uniqueness, modesty, and, at the same time, grandeur.
We can safely say that this is a fateful place for Russia. Indeed, if it were not for Sviyazhsk, it is not known when Kazan would have been taken and how the history of the Russian state would have developed then.
The island-city is located at the mouth of the Sviyaga River on a hill, which bears the speaking name " High mountain". From Kazan, the main city of the Tatar people, Sviyazhsk is only 30 kilometers away.
The city of Sviyazhsk was founded in 1551, when Ivan the Terrible ruled Russia. It was this high peninsula that Ivan Vasilyevich noticed at the confluence of 3 rivers: the Volga, Sviyaga and Pike, and decided that it was here that a fortress should be built to attack Kazan.
Surprisingly, the Sviyazhsk fortress was built and completely ready in just a month. The high fortification became one of the outposts of the Russian troops during the capture of Kazan.
Such a speed of construction of the settlement became possible due to one circumstance. The fact is that all the "details" of the future construction were made in the city, not far from. There, in the winter of 1550-1551, the “city was assembled”, everything was carefully numbered. And then they dismantled it again and in the spring they floated along the great Volga to the indicated place.
Such a military trick was used because the enemy, against whom, in fact, everything was started, was only 30 kilometers away. And, of course, any long-term construction could not go unnoticed.
So, in an atmosphere of deep secrecy, as far as this, of course, was possible at that time and in those conditions, in the most as soon as possible Sviyazhsk fortress was built.
It was whole city, which included not only defensive structures. It had fortress towers, fortified walls built in 2 rows, between which the space was to be filled with sand and stones, residential buildings, temples.
During construction, he was given the name Ivan-gorod. In its area, it surpassed many of the most big cities Russia of that time. It was bigger than the Pskov, Novgorod and even Moscow Kremlins. Already on the spot, it was renamed Sviyazhsk after the name of the Sviyaga River.
The town immediately became known throughout Russia and is very popular. Many people came there, wishing to become subjects of the Muscovite kingdom. In those years, the area of the Sviyazhsk fortress was simply huge. By its size, it was much larger than the same fortifications, located, for example, in Veliky Novgorod or even in Moscow. It housed a large Russian army, well trained and armed with cannons.
But the great importance of the fortress for the young Russian state did not end there. After all, after the capture of the Kazan kingdom (in 1552), according to the Orthodox custom, people had to be baptized. And in Sviyazhsk there were already ready-made monasteries of the Orthodox faith. Thus, the border town also became a place of baptism for many who were attached to the Orthodox faith. And in this case, Ivan the Terrible confirmed his genius!
How the island was formed
By the way, Sviyazhsk became an island quite recently. In 1957, the shortage of electricity in the country worsened. Urgently began to build hydroelectric power stations on large and small rivers. During the construction of the Kuibyshev reservoir, huge areas were flooded.
Similar activities were carried out in other places. So, for example, under the waters of the newly formed Rybinsk reservoir, more than 700 villages were completely flooded.
The large village of Sviyazhsk near Kazan did not bypass the attack. Only a few streets remain of it. Saved them from flooding under water only a good location: they were on a hill. Nature itself took care of preserving these architectural antiquities in human memory.
After the flooding of the lowland part of the settlement, many of its inhabitants did not want to return here. This is the history of this amazing place: the island of Sviyazhsk in Kazan.
This is how an island was formed instead of a peninsula, surrounded on all sides by water. He had this status for more than half a century. And only in 2009 a dam appeared, connecting Sviyazhsk with the "mainland". A highway was laid along it. So now you can get to the town not only by sea.
Now the population of Sviyazhsk is small, 250 people live here. Almost every local resident has his own boat, and fishing has become a common activity. Well, pike and bream peck here, and you can sunbathe, swim.
Most of the residents work in the tourism sector: they are guides, museum workers, as well as service personnel of cafes and hotels.
City of monasteries
In the 16th century, the first architectural structures appeared. It was a unique case when the construction of the fortress wall went in parallel with the construction of religious temples, which became the main attractions of the village in the future.
Assumption Monastery
The first monastery erected here consisted of two churches: Trinity and Sergius. It was they who made up the complex of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. The rector of the monastery was Archimandrite St. Herman of Kazan and Sviyazhsk Archbishop, famous for the creation of one of the first printing houses in Russia for the publication of church literature.
His relics are now in the Cathedral of Our Lady of All Who Sorrow Joy, which is also located on the island of Sviyazhsk, in the John the Baptist Monastery. This will be discussed further in the article.
An interesting fact is that the monastery in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected immediately from stone, despite the fact that in those ancient times it was quite an expensive material. And, usually, all the buildings were wooden. This once again underlines the fact that Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible attached great importance to this place as a center for the further spread of Christianity in the Volga region.
In the 18th century, a monastery school began to operate on the territory of the monastery. Later, with the onset of Soviet times, the monastery began to experience difficult times. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary monastery closed. The building housed a hospital for the mentally ill.
Mass shootings took place here in 1918. After the defeat in the battle for Kazan, when it was not possible to liberate the city from the White Czechs, on the orders of Trotsky, every tenth Red Army soldier from nearby military formations was shot.
In 1928, a children's commune was placed in the Assumption Cathedral and the monastery of the island-city of Sviyazhsk, which eventually became a correctional institution (colony). It contained 200 prisoners who had not yet reached the age of majority. During the war years, the NKVD prison for prisoners of war and political prisoners was located there.
About 5,000 people were shot within these walls. In memory of the dead, a monument to "Victims of political repressions" was erected here. This sculptural composition depicts a political prisoner (an intellectual with glasses), and he releases a dove through the bars.
The monument is located behind the monastery wall, to the left of the stairs leading to the island.
Later, the correctional facility again became a labor colony, and then a psychiatric hospital. This ends the "black streak" in the life of the monastery.
Since 1997, the monastery has resumed its work again. It is currently active. More recently, the Assumption Cathedral of Sviyazhsk has become one of the objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
For 5 centuries, of course, a lot has changed, and at present the Sviyazhsky Mother of God-Assumption Monastery is open here. Its architectural complex includes St. Nicholas Church with a refectory and a high bell tower, which aspires upward like a snow-white arrow.
Its height is 43 meters, and according to the guide, the ringing of bells is perfectly audible on the opposite end of the island. And the distance is more than 1 km.
Nearby is the church of German of Kazan and Mitrofan of Voronezh,
to which a residential fraternal building is attached. Inside, the inhabitants of the monastery can climb the beautiful porch. There are even two of them.
The entrance to the rectory building is decorated in the same style. He reminds me of something.
Between these buildings is the entrance to the monastery, and above it rises the Church of the Ascension.
And in the center of the monastery territory there is a huge white stone Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has existed since the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
Over the years of its existence, the Assumption Cathedral has been rebuilt many times, and a lot of different styles have been mixed here. Eight-pointed crosses, similar to steering wheels, are very unusual.
Inside the cathedral, unique frescoes of the 16th century are almost perfectly preserved. More than 1000 sq.m of paintings! Many of them are unique. It is very unusual for an Orthodox church that inside there is even a lifetime portrait of Ivan Vasilyevich.
And here is one of the few frescoes, which depicts St. Christopher with a horse's head.
Such an image that does not correspond to reality was created due to the fact that, according to one version, Saint Christopher was very handsome. Women did not give him a pass, constantly seducing him and leading him into temptation.
This became a rather problematic circumstance for the saint. Then he prayed to God. And the Lord gave him an appearance that made Christopher ugly "like a dog." Yes, according to various sources, Christopher had either a dog's head or a horse's. And only since the 18th century, all the images of St. Christopher are written completely in the form of a man.
John the Baptist Monastery
It is known that the monastery, founded in the 16th century, was originally called the Trinity-Sergius, and it was founded by the monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It was in honor of the Trinity and St. Sergius that two main churches were built and consecrated on its territory.
At the end of the 18th century, the monastery was closed, and its inhabitants returned to Sergiev Posad. And then the John the Baptist Monastery “moves” to this place. Until that moment, it was also located in Sviyazhsk, but it was badly damaged during a fire. Well, when the territory was vacated, the nuns moved here.
This monastery was for women and existed until the revolution of 1917. And at the end of the 20th century it was again transformed into a men's one.
Here is the oldest building of all Sviyazhsk: Trinity Church. It is completely wooden and was built in 1551.
Together with the logs for the construction of the fortress, the “component parts” of this church were delivered on ships. It was assembled in just one day and, as chronicles say, "without a single nail." And they also say that on the eve of the capture of Kazan, Ivan the Terrible himself prayed in it.
The evidence that this is the “same” church that was assembled back in the 16th century under and then transported here along with other objects of the Sviyazhsk fortress is the presence of markings on the logs. These decimal signs are still preserved.
In order to go inside, you need to climb such a wonderful wooden porch.
Very minor repairs in the temple were made only in the 19th century. Inside, the church has retained its ancient interiors. The temple resembles a simple Russian hut. There are wide floorboards underfoot, benches on the sides.
Inside, a beautiful wooden iconostasis in 3 tiers has been preserved. True, it is not entirely original. What can be seen now belongs to the 18th century. And the most ancient icons of historical value were taken to the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tatarstan. This is due to the fact that here the conditions for their safety are not the best.
The temple is active. True, services are performed here only once a year: on the patronal feast day of the Holy Trinity.
And nearby is another church: St. Sergius of Radonezh, built in 1604. Her frescoes depicting St. Sergius and Alexander Svirsky are admired.
The construction plan of this two-story building is unusual: rooms for monks were arranged on the first floor and premises for household needs were located, and the St. Sergius Church itself, where the Services were held, was higher, on the second floor.
Another outstanding temple of Sviyazhsk is the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady of All Who Sorrow, built of red brick.
It was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, in 1898-1906, and is part of the complex of the also functioning John the Baptist Monastery.
Inside the temple is huge and very bright.
There are very beautiful paintings under the dome.
To the left of the iconostasis is the temple icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow". A small staircase leads to it.
And on the right, symmetrically, is the icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh. He is revered as the patron saint of Sviyazhsk. After all, the first monastery on this territory was consecrated in honor of this saint.
The temple has 2 side limits. North is consecrated in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and the southern limit - in honor of Anna the Prophetess. It is here, on the right side of the cathedral, that there is a shrine with the relics of St. Herman. It was he who was the first rector of the Assumption Monastery.
Temples of Sviyazhsk
When you sail to the island on a boat, you immediately pay attention to the Church of Saints Constantine and Helena, which stands right on the shore.
At present, the Baptism of those who wish is held in it.
And here are the ruins of the Church of the Annunciation. It was destroyed in the 20th century, and now restorers are studying the foundation. Nearby stands a wooden cross, which indicates that this place was previously a temple.
The same cross can be seen next to central square islands.
This place once stood the Nativity Cathedral, from which the square got its name, as well as the main street coming from her. This is what it looked like in the early 19th century.
And this is also the destroyed St. Sophia Church. The photo was taken at the end of the 19th century.
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Nicholas Church is another spiritual attraction of Sviyazhsk. It was built in the form of a high bell tower. Graceful and beautiful, she towered over 40 meters.
You can see the location of all the temples, as well as other attractions on the island, on the map at the end of this article.
Museum City and more
Life on the island
The town of Sviyazhsk itself looks like a museum under open sky many of its buildings are of historical value. Here is an example of a typical merchant's house. The lower floor was brick, there were utility rooms, shops. A family lived on the second wooden floor.
This is the estate of the merchant F.T. Kamenev. It was built at the end of the 19th century.
Near the central square of the island, the reconstruction of the fire tower continues.
To the left of it is the administration building. Surprisingly, there was a fire here recently. And even the presence of a fire tower very close did not help. 🙄
On the opposite side of the island (from the dam and car parking) there is an observation deck. From this hill, the low-lying part of the island, with all its buildings, is remarkably visible. Well, how not to capture yourself against the backdrop of this beauty? 😀
Below you can clearly see the modern building of the Sviyazhsk river station. Next to it (in the photo on the left) is preparing to open a museum of archeology.
And nearby you can find a little boat (boat) of Paul 1.
If you go left, you will enter the museum
Walking along the streets of the amazing place of Sviyazhsk, it is impossible to miss the entrance to the Museum of History. Directly in front of him is a colorful cannon with an unusual name for this item - "Girl's Head". It was recreated according to ancient drawings that have remained with us since the time of Tsar Ivan the Terrible and is a historical symbol of Sviyazhsk.
A woman's face with a terrible grimace and a protruding tongue is depicted on the gun carriage. In some ways, it even resembles the terrifying jellyfish Gorgon. Similar cannons guarded the gates of the ancient fortress, and each had its own name: Dragon, Serpent and others. And next to them lie impressive nuclei.
The museum itself is small, compact and very interesting. Here you can learn a lot about the life and work of the saints revered here, about military battles on this earth. Some halls have been converted and are a monastic cell, a student's room in a gymnasium, a soldier's hut and much more. It's really interesting here!
And if not every tourist or excursion group comes to the museum, then every third person strives to see what is inside the cannon and try to raise the cannonball. 😀
There is also a Civil War Museum on the island. The exposition there is small, but quite interesting. There is a model of the armored train on which Trotsky arrived at Sviyazhsk in 1918. And also the wax figure of Lev Davidovich himself.
You go to the right - you will get into a cafe, but you will spend the night
If you have a question: “Where to eat in Sviyazhsk?”, then you have already come to the right place. You are welcomed with pleasure in the local Traktir. According to reviews, the food here is very good: borscht, freshly caught fish cooked in all forms, and other dishes. There are other cafes on the island: Buyan, Yolki or Sviyaga, and you can also have a bite to eat at the buffet of the local river port.
Well, and if we are already talking ... In the house of the merchant Kamenev, a small hotel with cozy rooms is now open, where you can always stop to relax and spend the night. There is also a hotel "Sviyaga" with 7 rooms for recreation.
You can also spend the night in the "House of the Pilgrim" at the Assumption Monastery. Accommodation here is cheaper, but, of course, without any frills.
Unfortunately, I did not find an opportunity to book accommodation in Sviyazhsk on well-known booking resources. But with their help, you can choose any option for yourself, and you can easily get to the island whenever you want. See below for how this can be done.
Walking with children
If you are relaxing with children, then by all means go to the Skazka children's leisure center. When you see the magical golden gates on one of the few streets of Sviyazhsk, feel free to head there. They will lead you into a fairy tale. Here, exciting games are constantly held for children, such as, for example, "On the Buyan Island" based on Pushkin's fairy tales, where they say Buyan, but mean Sviyazhsk, as well as other exciting quests
In the city, in some places, on the fences, there are Stories of the Cat-Scientist. Poems are written on the tablets and it is proposed to guess the riddle. All tablets are numbered and scattered around the island.
On each one is indicated someone's first and last name, as well as the position. Apparently, people live in these houses. It would be interesting to understand what this all means ...
And here is a goldfish entangled in a net. Why does all this happen in the well? Well, apparently, because there is no Blue Sea nearby in Kazan. 😆
In general, Alexander Sergeevich is not forgotten here. Yes, Pushkin, indeed, visited these places when he collected material for his famous "The Captain's Daughter". But by that time, "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", which mentions the island of Buyan, had already been written and published by him.
But the description of the great poet is very similar:
An island in the sea lies
The city stands on the island
With golden-domed churches,
With towers and gardens...
However, if someone likes to think that Sviyazhsk was the prototype of Buyan, I will not argue. Any opinion has the right to exist. 😀
Also in the village there are other attractions: the ethnographic complex "Horse Yard" and Entertainment Center With original name"Lazy Torzhok". This historical reconstruction complex is located near the island's central Christmas Square.
Both children and adults will enjoy visiting this historical and entertainment center. Here visitors are waiting for shopping arcades, craft shops. And by taking part in the folk game "Archery fun", you will have the opportunity to shoot from a crossbow or bow, try on historical costumes and take pictures in them.
"Do you want to be king? Yes please! Change your clothes and sit on the throne. The bird is about to fly out. That's it, the coronation is over. Next king, come!!!" - Approximately so the photographers of the participants in this action invite. Take great photos home! And you will also take part in folk games, watch a knightly tournament and just have fun.
"Horse Yard" is located in a building built in the 17th century. Here, at your request, you can get a few riding lessons, feed the horses, or you can briefly go back in time and ride around the island in a carriage.
In craft workshops, you will have the opportunity to forge a horseshoe for yourself and take home, fashion your own unique clay pot or other utensils, or you can just watch how masters of their craft do it.
Exploring the neighborhood
Monastery of Saint Macarius
2 kilometers from the museum-reserve of Sviyazhsk, on the shore mainland» there is a very beautiful male Makaryevsky Monastery. It is clearly visible from the island near the pier.
It was founded at the beginning of the 17th century. The monastery complex includes a small Ascension Church, with a bell tower 33 meters high and a temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”.
The location of the monastery is very unusual. The Makarievskaya Hermitage of Kazan is located on the steep right bank of the Volga. But not on its top and not at the foot of the slope, but between, on the ledge. It is surrounded by forest on all sides. Makariev Monastery is just immersed in greenery!
Not far from it is a holy spring, revered by people for a long time. There is a wooden chapel-bath here. And right there, a few years ago, an 18-meter monument to Makariy Zheltovodsky, the founder of the monastery, was erected. A very picturesque place, prayed for centuries!
The address of Makariev Hermitage: Republic of Tatarstan, Verkhneuslonsky district, the village of Vvedenskaya Sloboda. Coordinates: 55.78204, 48.70164.
You can also get here by water: a boat runs daily from the Kazan River Station to Sviyazhsk. To get to the Makaryevsky Monastery, you need to get off at the penultimate stop of the boat: "Mine". More details about the schedule will be discussed at the end of the article.
Riding on the Sviyazhsky hills
There is one more attraction that needs to be mentioned here. Not far away is the resort town "Sviyazhsky Hills". The resort is all-season: both in summer and in winter, all conditions for guests' recreation are created here.
In winter, 3500 meters await you ski slopes equipped with chair lifts. So both beginners and fans of steep turns will have something to do.
In the summer you will not be bored with amazing landscapes, inviting you to take a walk. As well as the beach and pool. lovers active rest will be able to ride a bicycle, catamaran, play billiards, golf. In general, relax the way you want.
There are several comfortable hotels in the resort, for example, or the Cascade Hotel. You can stay in a cozy alpine house. Restaurants, cafes, entertainment - everything is at your service!
Coordinates: 55.72924, 48.72321
Skolkovo in Kazan
And also during our excursion from Kazan to Sviyazhsk by bus, we met, however, quite a bit (in transit), with the ultramodern scientific city of Innopolis in Tatarstan, where IT specialists mainly live and study.
This is the youngest city in Russia. The idea of its creation appeared in 2010. And only in 2013 it acquired city status.
The name "Innopolis" means - an innovative city. It has its own university and a school for gifted children. Education is not cheap, but there is always the opportunity to get to study on grants for free.
After getting an education, you can stay here for further work. After all, many serious enterprises open their offices here. There is a representative office of Yandex, Sberbank here... The local population calls this city Kazan Skolkovo by analogy with Moscow.
And since the city is still quite young, but it is developing by leaps and bounds, and IT specialists are, most often, men, our guide strongly urged everyone to come there, especially girls. It turns out that if Ivanovo is a city of brides, then Innopolis is a city of grooms. 😀
Tatar village
But not only ultra-modern and religious sights are in the area. Not far from the island is the Tatar Avylym complex, which means “Tatar village” in Russian.
This is an open-air ethnographic museum. Here the life and traditions of the Tatar people and villagers about 100 years ago are being revived.
Unfortunately, we passed by on the bus without stopping. But you can go to the Tatar village from Kazan on your own or with a separate excursion.
The place must be very interesting. Even appearance fascinates: village houses and wells are built in the middle of the field, a mill rises in the middle of the village. It was built back in the 40s of the 20th century during the Great Patriotic War. And in those years, she saved many people from starvation.
However, the mill "works" in our days. Residents of the Tatar village of Tatar Avyly grind flour on it and bake bread from it.
Domestic birds roam the meadow, goats and horses graze in a special paddock. There is also a petting zoo. Guests can interact with various pets, touch and pet them.
It is interesting that the organizers of this complex very carefully approached to ensure that this place became “real”: there is neither electricity nor running water. The houses have stove heating.
The ethnic village is located at the Republic of Tatarstan, Zelenodolsk district, with. Isakovo, st. Embankment, 17. Coordinates: 55.72407, 48.54104. You can get here from Kazan along the M7 Volga highway. After the bridge over the Sviyaga River and near the exit to Sviyazhsk, you will notice a mill, here is the open-air ethnographic museum "Avyly Tatars".
And I would like to finish my article with a bewitching painting by Vasiliev Konstantin Alekseevich “Sviyazhsk”.
Beautiful, is not it?
How to get there, how much does it cost
But still, if you want to get to Sviyazhsk on your own, then it is also quite possible. To do this, you need to overcome about 30 kilometers from Kazan by water or 60 km by road.
The motor ship Kazan-Sviyazhsk regularly runs from the Tatar capital. Travel time is about three hours. Right there, in the port of Kazan, you can buy a ticket for a water excursion to Sviyazhsk on a boat.
The payment includes round-trip tickets + guide's story on the way. Thus, you will be comfortably delivered to the river station of Sviyazhsk. Excursion-tour of Sviyazhsky Island is not included in the payment, you will need to pay extra for this.
You can also get from Kazan to Sviyazhsk by bus. It departs from the central bus station of the capital of Tatarstan.
Trains run from the Kazan railway station to Zelenodolsk, because there are no trains in Sviyazhsk railway station. And from the Zeleny Dol stop you can get to Sviyazhsk by taxi or by regular bus.
Of course, you can get to Sviyazhsk by car. The distance between the cities of Kazan and Sviyazhsk along the highway is about 60 kilometers. The trip will take about an hour. You need to go towards Moscow to the village of Isakovo, then there will be signs.
It is they who will lead you straight to the parking lot at the foot of the hill on which the city of Sviyazhsk stands. Its coordinates are: 55.76865, 48.65112. And there you will figure out what to see in Sviyazhsk on your own.
And there is also a boat connection with Kazan. True, ships go here infrequently: only 1 time per day. At least that was the situation in the summer of 2017.
From the Kazan river port, the ship departs at 8:20, and from Sviyazhsky - at 16:30. Travel time is about 2 hours. You can return to Kazan at 18:45. So if you want to schedule water travel in Sviyazhsk for the whole day, then this is a great option.
The fare on the boat is 122 rubles. one way (children's ticket - 61 rubles). There is also a high-speed fleet, the cost of which is slightly more expensive: 148 rubles for adults and 74 rubles. for kids.
And another good solution is to combine the land and river routes, that is, to arrive in one direction, for example, by bus, and return to Kazan by water. Well, or vice versa. 🙂
By the way, there is a heliport next to the car park. So this type of transportation to the island should not be forgotten either. 😆
It is important to keep in mind that in order to calmly go around the island, it will take at least 2 hours. And if you want to go to museums or have a bite to eat in a cafe, then plan even more time. Sviyazhsk Island is 1200 meters long and 800 meters wide.
See for yourself how much interesting places for inspection is on the island.
In the evening, you can not get to the island. Cash desks are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday and Saturday - a little longer: until 19:00.
I think that later you will no longer be able to go through the turnstiles, and the entire infrastructure of the town is finishing its work by this time.
To enter the island, you need to pay an entrance fee: 300 rubles per adult, and for pensioners, schoolchildren and students - 180, free for children under 7 years old.
After buying entrance tickets, you will need to go through the turnstile and climb the tall stairs (probably, I won’t please everyone now, but that’s what it is), which consists of 102 (!!!) steps.
And it is also important to keep in mind that the weather on the island is very changeable. In a few hours spent here, I managed to experience the sun, and the icy wind, and pouring rain. 😕
Look at the location of the sights and the island of Sviyazhsk on the map (press "+" to zoom in or "-" to zoom out).
The city of Kazan has many accommodation options to stay here for a few days. It is very easy to rent an apartment or a room on the service, or through booking a hotel.
My trip to the island-town of Sviyazhsk took place on July 24, 2017. Other sights of Kazan and its environs, where I managed to visit, are on this map. And their detailed description can be seen.
Russia is the largest state in the world. Its open spaces stretched for almost 10,000 km - from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. Russia is a country with amazing story and culture. That is why we are launching a new special project, within which we will introduce you to little-known places in Russia.
The first stop on our tour is the island-town of Sviyazhsk with rich history and picturesque paintings.
Novograd Sviyazhsky
Mid 16th century. Between the Moscow kingdom and the Kazan Khanate - a fierce struggle. Ivan the Terrible wants to conquer the Volga region at all costs.
The Kazan Khanate is in deep crisis. Practically the only outpost of resistance to Russian troops, outnumbering the enemy in numbers and artillery, is Kazan.
In 1550, the army of Ivan the Terrible made a second attempt to conquer the capital of the Kazan Khanate. Unsuccessful: too far from Moscow to regularly supply troops with provisions and weapons. But, returning home, the governors noticed in the middle of the river a high hill with steep slopes and a flat top (Kara-Kermen). The "find" was reported to the king.
Grozny immediately appreciated the strategic value of the hill. The hill is surrounded on almost all sides by water; it is only 26 versts from Kazan, but it is not visible from the city. Ivan IV came up with a cunning plan - to build a fortress that would become a transit point for Russian troops.
1,000 km before the alleged fortress, in the forests of Uglich, the tsar ordered the construction of a wooden kremlin. The order was fulfilled. And in the spring of 1551, when the Volga opened up from the ice, the tsar ordered the fortress to be dismantled, logs loaded onto rafts and floated to Kara-Kermen.
On May 24, 1551, Russian troops and hard workers landed on the island. Work began to boil: 75,000 people worked day and night. In less than a month, a powerful military fortress grew up on an overgrown, unsociable hill, surpassing even the Moscow Kremlin in size. Two churches were erected next - Trinity and Christmas, as well as numerous outbuildings. The city-fortress first received the name "Ivan-city", and then - "Novograd Sviyazhsky".
What to see in Sviyazhsk?
In the second half of the 16th century, Sviyazhsk received the status of a county town: the population grew, crafts developed, new churches and houses were built.
By the beginning of the 18th century, the city became "monastic". Kazan took over all economic, political and administrative functions. In Sviyazhsk, there were two monasteries - Trinity-Sergievsky (later - John the Baptist) and Uspensky. The city was considered a stronghold of spirituality and beauty.
The revolution destroyed the harmony. In 1918, Trotsky arrived in Sviyazhsk - the Red Terror began. They executed priests, destroyed churches (from 1929 to 1930 they destroyed 6 out of 12 churches that existed in the city), closed both monasteries.
In Soviet times, Sviyazhsk became a "city of unnecessary people." In 1928, a correctional colony for difficult teenagers was placed in the cells of the Assumption Monastery, and in 1943, an NKVD camp. Later, these premises were converted into a psychiatric hospital.
Only in the 1960s, after the filling of the Kuibyshev reservoir, when Sviyazhsk became an island, did its cultural and historical revival begin.
Today the island-city of Sviyazhsk is like a portal to the past. There is no public transport, industry and modern buildings- only picturesque nature Middle Volga and numerous architectural monuments.
In total, there are about 20 old buildings on the island: some are well preserved, others are dilapidated. Of the existing buildings: the Assumption Cathedral (1556–1561), the bell tower of St. Nicholas Church (1556), the Sergius Church (XVII century), the Church of Constantine and Helena (XVI–XVIII centuries) and others.
The pearl of the island is the Trinity Church (1551) - the first Orthodox church on the Volga and the only building that has survived from the time of Ivan the Terrible. It was built from huge larch logs without a single nail in just one light day.
Of course, the church was completed. In the 19th century, the tent completion was replaced with an eight-slope roof, a porch was added, and the log walls were sheathed with hemp and painted ... The temple then looked faded and inconspicuous.
But in 2009, they decided to restore its historical appearance: they removed the paint, added a wooden terrace. They left only the tes (apparently, to protect the ancient logs from rain and snow). Now, not only inside, but also outside, the Trinity Church exudes the atmosphere of the era of Ivan IV. By the way, at the entrance to it there is a bench, on which, according to legend, the Terrible Sovereign himself sat.
What to do in Sviyazhsk?
As in other historical places, the main "entertainment" in Sviyazhsk is sightseeing of architectural sights. This can be done both independently and using the services of professional guides.
The latter organize various excursion programs, including interactive ones (with historical performances and theatrical performances).
In 2012, after reconstruction, the Horse Yard was opened, the construction of which dates back to the 16th century. In tsarist Russia, it served as an inn for visitors, and in Soviet times - a utility block. Now the Horse Yard is an ethnographic center where you can plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity.
A craft settlement was organized on its territory, where you can watch how horseshoes are forged, clay pots are made and fishing baskets are woven.
By the way, fishing is one of the main occupations. local residents to this day (even on the coat of arms of the city - fish). It is understandable: there is no industry, there is little space for agriculture, but there is plenty of water.
Sviyazhsk stands on the spot where the Sviyaga River flows into the Volga; navigation starts in April and ends in October. Almost all local residents have boats - in summer the Volga banks are literally strewn with fishing enthusiasts.
“Hunt” for pike and bream come even from other regions. Men joke: “Sviyazhsk is an ideal place for fishing with your wife. She is in the city on an excursion, and you are calmly waiting for the bite.
How to get to Sviyazhsk?
Previously, it was possible to get to Sviyazhsk only by water. But in 2008, a dam with an asphalt road was built, which connected the island with the "mainland". Now you can get to the village both by river and land transport.
On water
In summer, a passenger motor ship runs daily on the route Kazansky River Station - Sviyazhsk.
Departure time: 8:20
Arrival time: 10:30
Ticket price: 100 rub. (tickets sold one hour before departure)
Evening in 16:30 the ship goes back, arrives in Kazan at 18:45 .
On weekends there are also additional sightseeing tours.
In addition, you can swim to Sviyazhsk on motor boat or by boat from nearby Vasilyevo or Vvedenskaya Sloboda.
On the ground
Sviyazhsk is located 30 km from Kazan - 40 minutes private car. You can find directions online or use a navigator. But you can’t drive into the village by car - parking is provided below for cars.
By rail
From the central railway station Kazan, trains run regularly to the railway station Sviyazhsk, which is 14 km from the island, in the village of Nizhniye Vyazovye. From there, you can get to the island-city by hitchhike or taxi.
Why is it worth seeing Sviyazhsk?
Sviyazhsk is a small island embraced by the mighty waves of the great Russian river. In 1833 Pushkin visited Sviyazhsk. Since then, there has been a legend that the poet had in mind when describing Buyan Island in The Tale of Tsar Saltan. Of course, this is just a legend (Alexander Sergeevich wrote about the Swan Princess in 1831), but it is easy to believe in it, because Sviyazhsk really fabulous beauty Island. There you want to wander between churches and dilapidated houses, admire nature, stand on the shore and think about the past and the future.
Sviyazhsk is a tiny village where most of the inhabitants are old people, but many world cities can envy its history. For more than 15 years, this place has been claiming to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Federal and local authorities are doing everything to make Sviyazhsk a "global treasure". But many of those who visited this city (not tourists, but simple connoisseurs of history) note that restoration work is sometimes carried out roughly, without respect for historical authenticity and respect for Russian culture (if only it looked like something old). That is why Sviyazhsk must be seen!…until it became a typical tourist ethnopark.
And finally, a life hack: if you want to feel the silence and the historical grandeur of the island-town, go to Sviyazhsk in autumn or winter.
