Kul Sharif mosque was a title given of a descendant of tge prophet Muhammed. He was a warrior, a poet and a thinker.
The mosque was built resembling the Emir's (duke) place. The unique power of the Khanate was symbolized by eight needle-shaped minarets soaring upwards the sky in remembrance of the eight provinces if Volga-Bulgaria. Their tips were crowned with silver sharply defined crescent moons - the symbol of the power of God.
Kazan city was taken by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. The battle took place within the walls of the Khanate Kremlin (fortress). The mosque was burned to the ground.
There's an interesting legend (fact which wasn't proven much) that the perpetrators were deeply impressed of the wooden mosque that it was decided to perpetuate the appearance in the St. Basil's cathedral in Moscow. (which I'm planning to post next Sunday).
It was decided in 1990 to recreate a magnificent building as one of the main landmarks in Kazan Kremlin as historical continuity.
Completed and opened in 2005, it now stands in the Kremlin (fortress) at the heart of the city. With the capacity to accomodate 1500 worshippers and 10000 more outside on the two adjacent pavilions, Kul Sharif is one of Europe largest mosques.
info help: cultural heritage web portal-Russia
Linking with:
http://inspiredsundaymeme.blogspot.ru
Lovely! I posted Russia today also, Moscow.
ReplyDeleteMari, I am delighted with the architecture and colors of the mosque.
ReplyDeleteIt is very beautiful. I was surprised by its position.
The world is changing.
Greetings.
Hello Lucia-Maria, Thank you for your nice words.
DeleteBy position, you mean that the mosque is in Kremlin right? It (the original one) was already there in 1551 even before Russians came and besieged the city. The city I live in is the center of Islam in Russia, where many Muslims live together with Russian Orthodox Christians. There is an Orthodox church in the same Kremlin the mosque is located (which I'm posting soon). It is one great thing about this city where people of different beliefs co-exist for thousands of years.
Mari,
Deletein my country in the one place they live, people of different faiths.
I applaud it. This is the tolerance.
Greetings.
oh it is just beautiful, I love the blue with the white!!! it looks a bit like Cinderella's castle in Disney!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Mari,
ReplyDeleteThe Mosque's architecture is most striking and either side, it always is a shame if houses of worship get demolished! It was part of Russia's cultural heritage.
Hugs to you and enjoy your Advent.
Mariette
The minarets are so interesting, such a lovely sight. Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteholy smokes, that's grand!
ReplyDeleteThis is a majestic building. The colors make it stand out as much as the architecture itself.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a stunningly beautiful mosque!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful white and blue, and extra gorgeous in front of blue sky!
i really enjoy the blue. so different for me. i would love to see it in person. maybe one day??! ( :
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see! I look forward to your posts to see the architecture. Thanks for the interesting background, too.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful to see this! The history and information about it is very interesting too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story and a fantastic building!
ReplyDelete