Rustam Minnikhanov visits a number of religious sites in Kazan

On October 16, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov accompanied by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, the Aide to the Rais of the republic Olesya Baltusova and the Chairman of the regional Committee on Protection of Cultural Sites Ivan Guschin visited a number of sites of cult in Kazan.

The first site in the programme of visit was the Kazan Bogoroditsky Monastery. Three years ago, the restored Cathedral of the Icon of the Kazan Virgin was opened here. Work on the further restoration of the monastery complex is being carried out under the list of instructions from the Rais of Tatarstan.

According to the initiative of the Kazan Diocese, the building of the Nikola of Tula Church has been identified as a priority facility of the complex. Also today, preparations are underway to open the cellar rooms under the Father Superior’s house are underway.

Then Rustam Minnikhanov got acquainted with the progress of repair and restoration work at the Temple-Monument to Fallen Soldiers, built in 1823. It is located in the waters of the Kazanka River and is connected to the riverbank by an embankment bridge.

Next, Rustam Minnikhanov visited the Iske Tash mosque, built in 1802. At one time, the religious building was the public centre of the New Tatar Sloboda. During the Soviet period, the mosque was closed and converted for other purposes. First, a school was opened here, and then a warehouse. In the 1990s, the mosque was returned to believers.

The Rais of Tatarstan got acquainted with the concept for further development of the adjacent territory.

At the end, Rustam Minnikhanov looked around the restored Al-Marjani Mosque, which was built in the second half of the 18th century. It is one of the first stone mosques built in the capital of Tatarstan. At present, the restoration is fully completed.