bridge over the Volga river on our way to Sviyazhsk

the Russian flag fluttering in the wind

The place where the Sviyaga River flows into the Volga forms the idea for Pushkin’s lively tale of the Island of Buyan. Sviyazhsk was built by Ivan the Terrible as a fortress for the siege of Kazan, and it went on to become the first Orthodox Christian city in our area, the center of the spread of Christianity. The island also became home to the Uspensky monastery and the Ioanno-Predtechensky nunnery. The architectural composition of today’s Sviyazhsk includes perfectly preserved churches, such as the antique wooden Troitskaya Church (built in 1551), Nikols¬kaya Church, and Uspensky Cathedral. When Alexander Pushkin first saw Sviyazhsk, he was overjoyed. It seems the city was exactly what he imagined for an ideal fairytale setting: beautiful island on a tall mountain, located exactly in the middle of a great river. This island with its surprising history cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

ferry terminal at Sviyazhsk

I decided to visit Sviyazhsk as a day trip from Kazan because it was recommended to me by my host. I had asked him about Yoshkar-ola, but he told me that this town is too artificial and quite far from Kazan. As for Sviyazhsk, there are daily ferries to the island leaving Kazan pier at 08:30 and the last boat from Sviyazhsk leaving at 16:00. I was the only tourist on the ferry as it was a Sunday, so many people were ready to go to the beach or to picnic on the island. The ride took about 1h30 min and most of the people alighted at Sviyazhsk, although there were other ports of call along the way at smaller villages.

Dormition cathedral

Russian orthodox cathedral

There were some tourist attractions to visit on Sviyazhsk, such as the Russian orthodox church, the stables and a local weekend market. You can also choose to head straight to the small strip of beach and swim in the river. I did not do it as I had not brought my swim gear along, instead I wandered along the small roads of the island, admiring the traditional Russian houses and soaking in the sunshine. I chanced upon a small restaurant facing the lake and decided to lunch there. I had a delicious fish soup served with bread.

horse riding in Sviyazhsk

Souvenir hunters can check out the local stalls selling crafts of Sviyazhsk and the surrounding region. There are also funfair stalls where you can play games such as bursting the balloon or throwing hoops on bottles in order to win a prize. The stable also allows for horseriding. Overall, the island is enough for a day trip if you are looking for a place to relax outside of Kazan. And since you are in Tatarstan region, a ferry ride along the famous Volga river is something not to be missed.

the small beach in Sviyazhsk for sunbathing

small island roads and directions in Russian