Preobrazhenskaya Tower

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

The massive rectangular gate tower, erected by Pskov artisans in the 16th century on the location of the Khan’s fortress’s Tyumen Tower, served as the western entry to the Kazan Kremlin’s territory. Due to its proximity to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, the tower was formerly known as Sergievskaya. Later, the tower was given a new name in honour of the Saviour’s Transfiguration Monastery, which was located on the fortress’s grounds.

Originally, the building had a truncated pyramid built of white stone with a wooden hipped roof, a watchtower, and loopholes. Later, the loopholes were removed, a new hipped roof was erected in place of the old one, and the walls were plastered, as a result of which the building lost its defensive functions.

The tower was repaired in the 1970s and regained its fortress look. The tower’s wooden hipped roof was rebuilt, and a guardhouse appeared at the top, with a metal ensign with the image of a Zilant.

The tower on the first tier is supported by strong buttresses and has iron-bound wooden gates. Outside, above the gate, there is a niche for an outhouse icon. The stone roll separates the second from the first tire. The tower has two arched portals that lead to the combat banquettes, which are connected by curtain walls.

The reconstructed guardhouse above the tower’s second tier currently serves as an observation deck, providing views of the Kazan Kremlin’s surrounding landscape.