Kazan railway junction is one of the largest in
the country. Dozens of passenger and goods trains pass through it every
day. It’s not surprising that the railway station has always been a distinctive
symbol of the city. Citizens of Kazan are proud of this decoration
peace of their capital that occupies an important place in the architectural
ensemble of the city.
On the eve of the 20th century Kazan was one
of the largest administrative, cultural, commercial and industrial centres
of Russia, but nevertheless it had no railway transport for a long time.
At the end of 1890 the Head of Kazan Administration went to Moscow with
the application for permission to build a railway in Kazan. But the decision
was made only in 1891. That year the construction of Moscow-Kazan railway
and building of the railway station started simultaneously.
The magnificent building of red brick was built
to the project of architect G. B. Rushet. By that time regular goods and
passenger railway traffic effected by two pairs of goods and passenger
trains was opened on the road section between Sviyazhsk and Kazan.
Before passengers used to cross the river
by boat or drove in a sledge in winter and went on their way by train because
there was no bridge over the Volga by that time. The problem was solved
only in 1913 when the railway bridge was opened. At the beginning the trains
reached Moscow from Kazan within 53 hours; now a train from Kazan to Moscow
covers the distance of 800 km in 13-14 hours. And in 2001 after setting
up a high-speed regime trains will need 8 to 9 hours.
The well-kept building of the station functioned
until the fire of March 17th, 1992 when everything was destroyed but the
walls and the foundations.
In
1993 restoration of the building of the station began. It was commissioned in
1997 for the day of its 100th anniversary.
The staff of the railway and builders constantly
felt attention of the leaders of the Republic of Tatarstan and the City
Administration of Kazan. Specialists of various professions took part in
renovation and development of Kazan railway station.
The Head of the City Administration K. Iskhakov
and the Chief of Kazan railway section G. Tulisov attached a great importance
to this work. In the course of reconstruction outer surfaces were
restored according to the original plaster decoration.
The front wall is decorated with a stylized
clock and lanterns. The walls and the floor are made of natural durable
materials, such as marble and granite that turn the interior of the station
into a real palace.
There are christal chandeliers and glasses, modern
halogen lamps visually enlarging the hall.
The building reconstructed with care continues
to serve people and gives its guests a warm welcome and ensures all
convenience for departing persons. The railway station equipped with modern
devices meets all the requirements of the modern technology of passenger
service.
After the reconstruction the building of the
station accommodates 770 passengers. There are three waiting rooms, a hall
for official delegations, a restaurant, premises for mothers and kids,
a well equipped information office with broadcasting centre, news stands
etc.
In 1967 a building of two floors was built to
the project of architect Agishev to relieve the main building.
In 1987 new administrative buildings of Kazan
railway were built of red brick near the old one. Forming the ensemble
of the square they create architectural support to the main building of
the railway station. The clock tower completes the layout of the station
square from the side of Narimanov and Chernyshevsky streets.
At the same time the whole outlook of Kazan railway
station changed.
Principal reconstruction of the station
square was carried out in 1997 after a passenger complex was build according
to the high standards of service.
The old tram ring was removed and another one
was built near the administrative service structure and western platform
for local trains. The new tram ring connects all city tram routs.
The western local platform was reconstructed
too.
The newly formed square near the passenger service
building has become an integral part of the old railway station square.
It revealed the need to reconstruct the building of the local station.
The square is decorated with trees, lawns and
flowerbeds, the lamps are made to follow the common architectural
style of the ensemble.
For passengers’ comfort there are parking areas
for private and official cars and an underground passage. The scheme of
express bus and trolley bus service is going to be improved.
Kazan passenger complex is one of the best in
Russia according to the standards of service, information and technical
support.