Unique reserves of Tatarstan: natural, museums

On the territory of Tatarstan, as well as in many areas of the whole of Russia, there are natural reserves and historical museums-reserves, in which the pristine condition of unique natural and historical places is preserved.

Natural reserves of the Republic of Tatarstan: Volzhsko-Kamsky, national park Nizhnyaya Kama, as well as numerous registered sites.

In total, protected areas occupy about 1% of the entire territory of the republic, which is insignificant. The increase in such sites in the country is a big work at the state level.

Short description of the Volga-Kama Nature Reserve

The Volga-Kama Reserve covers an area of more than 10 thousand hectares. Its territory is located near the largest rivers Kama and Volga. The nature of these unique corners of the republic is rich in multiple species of flora and fauna.

This biosphere reserve is the only one of its kind in the territory of Tatarstan. It consists of two parts: Raifa (about 6 thousand hectares) and Saralovsky (more than 4 thousand hectares).

The flora of this reserve includes only about 844 species of vascular plants (including 51 species of shrubs and trees). Also here are noted and quite rare species from the Red Book of Russia: a red pollen head, a slipper, a lily saranka and so on.

The Raifa site is notable for nearly 300 years of planting pine trees. The most unique here is the dedrosad, which contains about 500 varieties of vegetation from different corners of the planet. Natural lakes are located here and amazing natural beauty.

The site of Saralovsky is notable for the fact that it is inhabited by white-tailed eagles included in the International Red Book. In the whole of Europe there is no other such place with such a concentration of these exotic birds. Eight pairs of eagles nest on an area of only 4 thousand hectares.

The unique national state museum-reserves of Tatarstan are also of great interest. Some of them are briefly described below.

The Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural State Museum-Reserve

It is a kind of historical state located in the Middle Volga region and the Kama river basin (X-XIII century). It was created in 1969. This is the oldest historical place in Tatarstan.

The Bulgarian complex is the world's most northerly monument of Muslim architecture of the Middle Ages. This unique monument in the world testifies to the long-extinct ancient states - Volga Bulgaria and the Golden Horde. It is evidence of the disappeared culture, the way of life of those times.

Here, during excavations, numerous archaeological valuable finds have been found and continue to be revealed: various fossils of ancient epochs, sites of an ancient man.

Museums-reserves of Tatarstan are still being replenished with archeological exhibits found during the endless excavations in these amazingly interesting historical places.

Sviyazhsk Island

In Zelenodolsky district of Tatarstan there is a small islet near the confluence of the rivers Shchuki and Sviyaga.

The island-hail is known almost 500 years. The beginning of Sviyazhsk comes from the fortress. In 1551, in the rear of the enemy, it was built (in just one month). Thanks to her, the capital of the Kazan Khanate fell.

Today, only the Trinity Cathedral is preserved on this territory. At that time, the service was performed in the presence of Ivan the Terrible himself before the capture of Kazan.

Today Sviyazhsk is the most popular tourist complex in the republic.

"Old Kazan" ("Iske Kazan")

Museums-reserves of Tatarstan carry the history of the beginning of the life of the Tatar people (and not only), the formation of culture, religion.

"Old Kazan" is considered the starting point of the history of modern Tatarstan. These are the most sacred places for the worship of Muslims. These are lands, hills and stones, which contain answers to numerous questions.

Kazan is a city with a 1000-year past. It was once only a small settlement. However, the question of the connection between "Old" and "New" Kazan is disputable.

The existence of the medieval Old (Iske) of Kazan is evidenced by the ancient fortifications, located near the three villages: Kamaevo, Tatar Aisha and Russian Urmat (Vysokogorsk district).

According to legend, the city was created by Bulgarian princes (seven-year-old Altyn-bek and nine-year-old Alim-bey). It was built on Kazanka (in the upper reaches), where its current formed a large bend (horseshoe). Features of the local landscape resemble a huge half-boiler (half-skin). Hence the name of the city.

The beautiful Kazan Kremlin

Cultural historical reserves of Tatarstan in its composition have the main attraction of the capital and the republic - the Kazan Kremlin. It is the most valuable object of the cultural heritage of the republic.

The fortress is a complex of Tatar and Russian architectural styles.
This includes the following buildings: the Kazan Kremlin (X-XVI centuries), the Kremlin stone (XVI-XVIII centuries.) And many other architectural buildings (XVI-XIX centuries.).

Particularly attractive is the "falling" tower Syuyumbike, which was erected by Ivan the Terrible (1552) after the capture of Kazan. About this falling tower there are various myths and legends.

On the territory of the Kremlin there are museums and exhibitions. The unique Kazan Kremlin is a historical monument under the protection of UNESCO.

National reserves of Tatarstan carry important information about historical events of ancient times, about culture, customs and traditions of peoples.