Landscaped park to be laid out around Zilantov Convent

(KZN.RU, September 16, by Ekaterina Andreeva). A new project for cultural heritage protection, which is being developed in Kazan, will stipulate what can and can not be built in areas around historic and architectural monuments. Specifically, the territory adjacent to Zilantov Convent will be built up in compliance with the new regulations of land use and town planning . This was proclaimed today by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin during his inspection tour of the convent.

Zilantov Convent is a unique object, a monument of national importance. "In fact, Zilantov Convent is on a par with the Kazan Kremlin," says head of Kazan's Department of Architectural Monuments and Cultural Heritage Olga Avksentieva.

"Zilantov Convent is an outstanding archtectural monument," continues Olga Avksentieva. Stunning views of the monastery open from the river and to visitors arriving in Kazan by train.

"There are natural landscape areas that need to be preserved," continues Olga Avksentieva. "The forgotten former river-bed of the Kazanka was the site of the Admiralty, where some 400 warships were built in the post-Petrine times. It was the second shipyard in Russia after the one in St. Petersburg. This is a historic place, attractive to both pilgrims and tourists. It is a great place for residential development and public infrastructure."

O.Avksentiev recalled that the project was approved back in 1988 but remained on paper.

"The park around Zilantov Convent will be laid out in 5-10 years; it will be landscaped, well-kept and available to both Kazan residents tourists," said Ilsur Metshin.

The new project envisaging protection of Kazan's cultural heritage clearly defines the "rules of the game" in such areas. "The land owners will know exactly what can be built," said Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin. "But the list of forbidden structures will be even longer."

For your information, Zilantov Holy Assumption Monastery was founded by Ivan the Terrible October 15, 1552 after the capture of the city. In 1559, Volga flooding destroyed the monastery walls, after which the monastery was moved to the top of the mountain.

In 1918, ten Zilantov Monastery monks together with the Archimandrite were shot. For some time, the monastery was inactive, but soon afterwards, an Orthodox community was established around it, which lasted until 1928. The chuchyard, where some prominent citizens were buried, was destroyed in 1930. Recently, the former monastery was reborn as a convent.