Palace of Farmers in Kazan

The capital of Tatarstan is a unique city: national traditions and modernity are successfully combined here. This is exactly what the Palace of Farmers in Kazan, a recently built building, illustrates. This building does not leave indifferent any of the tourists: someone responds with enthusiasm, claiming that the remake successfully complements the Kremlin ensemble located nearby; someone swears, saying that the Palace violates and spoils everything that is possible. Be that as it may, the complex has become a popular place not only among city guests, but also among local residents. Photo sessions of newlyweds are held here, concerts are organized on the square in front of the building. And it's nice to just sit and relax in the square.

Construction history

Historically, poor people built their shacks on the banks of the Kazanka: the flooded place did not attract the rich. Over time, only dilapidated wooden houses, partially rotted, and neglected gardens remained here. But at the same time (by the beginning of 2000) this coast became attractive for construction investments due to its proximity to the historical center. Modern technologies have made it possible to erect buildings on the swampy coast.

It was decided to place the palace on the site of demolished dilapidated houses in the historical center of Kazan, Vakhitovsky district. The designers proposed to place the building at the foot of a natural hill: this is how it is realistic to erect a monumental structure without introducing dissonance into the Kremlin ensemble. Construction began in 2008. The money (2.2 billion rubles) was allocated by the budget of Tatarstan. The amount is sufficient for the project organization to fully implement its plans in a short time.

The work was carried out for 2 years: the construction site was not frozen for a single day. The grand presentation of the built palace took place on the city day: August 30, 2011. The plan of the designers succeeded: the new building of the city is not only functional, but also became one of the places actively visited by tourists and townspeople.

About the author of the project

Leonid Gornik graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Kazan Civil Engineering Institute in 1982. At the time of the announcement of the competition, he was the chief architect of Antika LLC. It took 30 days to develop the project. At the same time, the team spent 12 days on the project itself, and the rest of the time was preparing for the presentation: they created 3D models, built a layout. Leonid Gornik noted the enthusiasm of his employees.

The author and project manager made a bet that new forms should prevail in urban architecture: they will make the appearance of cities more interesting and distinctive. Gornik believes that it is necessary to return to the building the true classics, beautiful, complex and attractive, and not the old-fashioned classicism that is boring for everyone. But not everyone took such an unconventional decision: Leonid Gornik notes that without the personal support of the President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, the project could not have won.

Palace today

Today the Palace is a place loved by residents of Kazan and visited by guests of Tatarstan. The building has an advantageous location: it is located on the north side of the Kremlin, it is unusual in terms of architectural design. This is part of a guided tour of the city at night. During a sightseeing trip around Kazan, the Palace is also shown to guests. After the wedding, the newlyweds come to him to be photographed. On the benches located on the square, townspeople and tourists rest. On City Day, a Gala concert is held in front of the building with the participation of local and invited groups.

The city authorities took care of tourists: inside the building there is a restaurant serving national cuisine. Guests who are hungry can relax and have a snack. We can say that the idea of ​​Leonid Gornik justified itself: the Palace is a unique place in Kazan. At the same time, the building bears the main functional load: the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan, the Veterinary Committee and related structures are located here.

Architecture

Although Leonid Gornik insists that the project is a returned classic, it is not easy to define the style of the building. The author took as a basis the provisions described by the medieval architect Giacomo da Vignola.

Opinions differ on the style of the building:

1. Some city planners insist that the building embodies the Baroque tradition.
2. Others argue that this is typical eclecticism.
3. Still others say that the building complies with the rules for combining classicism and empire style.
4. The fourth call the style of construction Bozar (a combination of Baroque and Renaissance).

The structure is rather unusual:

1. The central element of the structure is bronze wood. It is inscribed in the arch. It is a symbol of fertility and constant rebirth. There are no leaves on the branches, but in the dark the tree is illuminated by green lamps. Element height is 20 meters.
2. The central dome is openwork. It repeats the outlines of the Tatar cap, which only royal persons had the right to wear. Light directed at the tree passes through the holes beautifully and diffuses into the sky. The dome is crowned with a spire. The end point is 48 m above ground level.
3. The building is located at the foot of a hill, which is 15 meters high. Therefore, the designers managed to organically correlate the 4 floors of the building with the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin.
4. Two wings are illuminated with white lamps at night. White light blends beautifully with green light.
5. On the façade of each wing there are horses rearing up. The domes are guarded from the sides by winged leopards.

The building is faced with white stone. According to experts, the bulk of the allocated funds went to the rich decoration of the facade.

Interior

Inside, the building is decorated quite modestly. Affordable and cheap materials were used for finishing. But the designers also made an interesting interior from them. True, an ordinary tourist will not be able to see it: the office building is guarded.

Controversy and criticism

There is no consensus about the building. In the press and on Internet portals, residents of Kazan and guests argue about whether it was necessary to start construction:

1. Some local historians claim that the dilapidated houses and neglected gardens were of historical importance: they conveyed the national flavor. Their destruction is barbaric.
2. For the relocation of residents from the demolished premises, comfortable houses were built on the outskirts of the city. Not everyone was happy with the change from the center to a remote area.
3. Many are confused by the high price and pomp of the Palace of the Farmers. Wits joke and call the office building the Palace of the Landowners.
4. Some tourists consider the building to be monstrous, they say that with its presence it spoils the ensemble of the Kremlin, a monument included in the UNESCO catalog.
5. Others consider the building to be organic and beautiful. Kazan citizens and tourists willingly visit the object, take pictures against the background of the building.

Be that as it may, the Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan leaves no one indifferent.

Interesting Facts

The building is completely new, people don't stop talking about it. There are many legends around the Palace of Farmers:

1. Back in 1940, on the site of the Palace of Farmers, there were wooden houses, a dirty square and a small market. The population is quite motley, mostly poor.
2. Experts believe that construction went faster if the designers did not make additions and changes to the project.
3. Leonid Gornik doubted that it would be technically possible to make an openwork dome wrapped in a spiral. 3D design helped to solve this unusual problem.
4. The installation of the bronze tree was especially difficult.It was made and delivered in parts, and assembled on the spot. The structural elements had to match exactly: the work turned out to be painstaking.
5. Some see an imitation of the Parisian Petit Palais and at the same time the Vienna Hofburg.
6. The palace had already been brought under the roof when the question of its liquidation was raised. The reason was the violation of the building rules near a specially protected monument: the Kazan Kremlin. The problem was considered in Moscow. Result: the office building was successfully completed.
7. The project for the decoration of the adjacent territory was created by Antika LLC. This made it possible to maintain a uniform style.
8. The Ministry of Agriculture of Tatarstan is located in a rich palace: such office buildings are rare in the world.

Leonid Gornik believes that in order to create projects based on simple classics, one must sincerely love her. Then luck will certainly come.

Where is it located and how to get there

Address of the Palace of Farmers: Russia, Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, st. Fedoseevskaya, 36. You can walk here from the Kremlevskaya metro station. It is easy to get by land transport by buses: 22, 28, 89 to “Baturina Street” or 28a, 83 to the “Fedoseevskaya Street” stop.

Palace of Farmers in Kazan on the map