Sviyazhsk is the city on the island located near Kazan. Its history is peculiar and surprising, it begins with a siege of Kazan the Moscow tsar Ivan the fourth in February, 1550.
The siege of Kazan was followed by considerable losses. After 11 days of ineffectual bloodshed the tsar made the decision to recede. Coming back on the right bank, Ivan IV paid attention to the island towering over Volga, its location was good for control over the river ways and roads conducting to Kazan. So to the tsar the idea to build on this place the small fortified city, for conquest of the Kazan khanate came.
Construction of this city – an event unique, in only 4 weeks, and on the deserted island appeared the whole fortress with impressive walls and a set of constructions.
The order on the beginning of construction was given, but it began not on the island, and in far Uglich forests. All winter wooden strengthenings and buildings for future fortified city were based and by spring all constructions were sorted, shipped on vessels and sent to the place of assembly – to the mouth of the Sviyaga River. So in 1551 the city was put on May 24: for this purpose it was necessary to clear of the wood island top in short terms. But it turned out that the brought felling is not enough, and in a hurry it was necessary to complete necessary constructions from the tree which is cut down on the island.
Ivangorod
The first name became Ivangorod, in honor of the tsar of the founder, but later the people began to call it the new Sviyaga city, and soon and simply Sviyaga - from the name of the river on which he settled down. Fortress executed the appointment, and Sviyazhsk became large shopping center where there arrived the great number of merchants including foreign. Sviyazhsk throughout many centuries was an orthodox shrine, attracting itself many people from all ends of the country.
Coat of arms as keeper of history
This city endured about the history many both its appointment, and a way of life of citizens changed more than once. After successfully developing trading hub Sviyazhsk managed to stay also the monastery city, with quiet and simple life, and the district city of the Kazan province, then he received the coat of arms – which represents the memory of surprising construction of the city brought from far away. The coat of arms represents a board with represented on it floating by the ship the city under which fishes are visible.
It is possible to get on this island city only the waterway: it is possible, there motor ships constantly go.
After the revolution Sviyazhsk strongly suffered, temples of this city were plundered, and many of them were converted in prisons. Now this city with rich history revives, Sviyazhsk as before towers over waters, sparkling domes of churches. A great number of tourists come to look at this wonderful city to touch its history.