One of the main attractions of the Kazan Kremlin is the Syuyumbike Tower. It is interesting to tourists for its legend, its appearance, which distinguishes it from other buildings of the white-stone Kremlin, and the fact that it is falling (deviated by 1.8 m). But it is still not known exactly who built the 58-meter beauty and in what century.
The head of the Department of Theory and Practice of Architecture of KSASU, Doctor of Architecture, Professor Galina Aidarova, shared her opinion about the origin of the tower, as well as what could shed light on its secret, with AiF-Kazan.
We don't even know the era
Venera Volskaya, AiF-Kazan: Galina Nikolaevna, why do we even need to clarify the origin of the tower?
Galina Aidarova: Firstly, the Syuyumbike tower is real architectural gem, which captivates with its noble simplicity and strict lines. Secondly, this is a cultural monument known throughout the world, its global significance underlined by the UNESCO symbol. Finally, it is an important tourist site. But now interest in domestic, rather than foreign, monuments is growing rapidly. In light of all this, it seems strange that the issue of its attribution (establishing the author and time of creation of the object, its purpose - Ed.) has not yet been resolved.
We don't even know the era in which it was built. Perhaps this happened back in the Middle Ages. There are practically no such monuments left in Kazan. As a result, the guides each tell their own version of the origin of the tower. What remains for them? Only legends.
The tower was used as a passageway to the governor's court. The passage is now closed.
Photo: Public Domain; www.globallookpress.com - Why is so little historical evidence preserved?
The archive concerning the tower burned twice. The main archive of the Order of the Kazan Palace, where documents on the administration of Kazan in the second half of the 16th-18th centuries were kept and where the archive and library of manuscripts of the Kazan Khanate could be located, was destroyed during a fire in Moscow in July 1701. Some documents were transported to Kazan after the formation of the Kazan province in 1708, but even here they were damaged by fire at the beginning of the 18th century. The archives of the Kazan Khanate were lost during the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible in 1552. Therefore there is nothing to rely on. There is no written evidence of the construction of the tower, no drawings or any mention of them. By the way, there is no exact information about the periods of construction of the Tainitskaya and Spasskaya towers of the Kremlin; we are talking only about the range of the second half of the 16th and beginning of the 18th centuries.
Tower Worshiped
What versions of the origin of the tower are there?
There are two main ones. The first is the minaret of the mosque, built during the period of the Kazan Khanate (1438 - 1552). In the “List of scribe books for the city of Kazan with the district (1566-1568)” by Kapiton Ivanovich Nevostruev, published in 1877, it is said about six or seven surviving objects of the Khan’s time. The “Muraleeva Mizgit” (mosque) is also mentioned.
The arguments in favor of the minaret are as follows: we see bypass terraces on the Syuyumbike tower, the same ones were found on the ancient minarets of Bolgar. In minarets, movement along the stairs, as a rule, is provided counterclockwise, and one of the two stairs of the Syuyumbike tower is located in this way.
The location of the minaret on the territory of the Khan's palace complex is also quite logical. It was a large palace complex, enclosed along the perimeter by brick buildings. It was possible to get there only by driving through the arch of the Syuyumbike tower.
Archaeological information that the foundations of another white stone tower go under the tower, which means that the currently existing tower is of the “Russian” period, cannot be considered evidence. Only radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology can confirm or refute this, and these studies have not been done. The remains of the white stone tower may date back to the pre-Mongol period.
There are also memoirs of Prince Andrei Kurbsky, an eyewitness to the capture of Kazan, in his “History of the Grand Duke of Moscow.” He wrote about the “great tower” that stood on the mountain. Indeed, his regiment, stationed at Kazanka opposite the Kremlin, could clearly see it during the offensive.
And finally, the testimonies of the people. In many Tatar legends, the tower was considered sacred and was worshiped. In addition, it could be seen on ancient shamails. By the way, Professor S. M. Shpilevsky, who initially believed that this was a structure of the Russian period, later changed his point of view - he came to the conclusion that the tower was of “Tatar” origin. He believed that the memory of the people, before whose eyes the tower was built, could not maintain a sacred attitude towards it if it had been built for another purpose, for example, as an entrance to the commandant’s house in the “Russian” period.
Why do you think that the second version, that the tower was built after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, is less convincing?
The assumption that the tower was built in the second half of the 17th century - the beginning and even the first third of the 18th century began to prevail during Soviet times, when the topic of research related to the history and culture of the Kazan Khanate was, to put it mildly, not encouraged. Its supporters believe that the tower was erected to accommodate Khan's palace commandant's house. But research shows that the Khan’s palace complex was abandoned for a long time, and a new complex of buildings was built for the governor in the southern part of the Kremlin. And the tower itself was in disrepair at the beginning of the 19th century, which casts doubt on its importance for the city authorities.
Whose copy?
One sometimes hears the opinion that the Syuyumbike Tower was “copied” from the Borovitskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin, and therefore was built later.
There are only some similarities, nothing more. Borovitskaya has a richer decor, in particular, completely different trims than its Kazan “sister”. But the towers have different functions. The Kazan Tower could not have been intended for anything other than the azan (call to prayer in Islam - Ed.) or an observation post, a signal tower, from which information was transmitted over long distances using signal flags or fire.
It is not a fortification, because it does not have loopholes, it is located not on the perimeter of the walls, but inside the Kremlin. The tiers of our tower are too narrow to place guns and too low to conduct a defense. But Borovitskaya has a withdrawal rifle and loopholes to conduct defensive fire.
The Syuyumbike Tower could not have been built later than the Borovitskaya Tower. It has five tiers, it is four meters lower than the Kazan one. The Kazan governor could not build an expensive object without permission, much less build a structure higher than the tower of the Moscow Kremlin and with an unclear purpose. In the Borovitskaya Tower, as in all towers of Russian architecture, it was mandatory to place an icon niche above the arch or gate church. There is neither one nor the other in the Syuyumbike tower. In my opinion, the Syuyumbike Tower, from an artistic point of view, is more valuable than the Borovitskaya Tower. So it can't be a "copy".
In addition, if the construction was carried out 300 years ago, there would certainly be evidence of the tower's architects.
Yes, of course, if it had been built, for example, in the 17th century, somewhere there would have been a mention of patrons and builders. Even stranger is when they say that the construction dates back to the 18th century. Let's take the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan, built in 1723-1725. It is known about it, how and by whom it was built. Therefore, for me, the arguments in favor of construction in the Russian-Russian period are unconvincing. In addition, there is a drawing by the Dutch traveler and artist Cornelius de Bruin from 1703, where the Syuyumbike Tower is undoubtedly depicted in the panorama of Kazan. This completely destroys the arguments for its construction after the formation of the Kazan province in 1708 as the main entrance to the commandant’s yard.
A medieval monument?
What can you say about the creators of the Syuyumbik tower?
What great masters they are - to build such a masterpiece of architectural and engineering thought 58 meters high. Moreover, they built the Syuyumbike tower to last for centuries: they did not use bulk soil (maybe only in places), but used a natural hill. A deep foundation was built - from two to four meters deep. According to the conclusion of an engineering examination, they do not correspond to the foundations of the 18th century. Short oak piles were used to compact the soil under the foundation; they are characteristic of Bulgarian architecture; the same pile foundation It has north tower Kazan Kremlin, which archaeologically dates back to the Khan period.
And one more thing: all Russian brick in the 18th century had a mark, but we know nothing about the marking of the brick of the Syuyumbike tower, except for the unusual signs on one of the bricks of the third tier, similar to Arabic letters, but not decipherable.
Why did the tower start to fall?
Piles tend to weaken over time. It is also possible that there was some kind of underground chamber for storing what? What could they have stored under the minarets?, in the place of which the soil later shrank. In addition, tireless treasure hunters for a number of centuries did their work both in Bulgar and here. But the building tilted very slowly, otherwise it would have collapsed. Later the foundation was strengthened.
Why does the brickwork of the tower itself not collapse when it deviates from the vertical by almost two meters?
Metal fasteners save. Anchors can be seen on the walls of all tiers of the tower; they are similar to the fastenings of the Black Chamber fortification in Bolgar and in many medieval objects (among them the Chiaramonte Steri palace in Palermo, the Church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul). In our region, since ancient times, metallurgy has been high level, because the Volga Bulgars were among the first in Eastern Europe to master the production of cast iron in the Middle Ages.
And yet, is it possible to establish the origin of the tower?
Certainly. Physico-chemical methods of analysis of metal or wooden parts make it possible to establish not only the time of production of the material, but even the place. In general, not only coins and shards can prove the medieval past of Kazan in the 10th-16th centuries. Architectural and construction layers of the Bulgaro-Tatar and Russian-Tatar Middle Ages should remain, which have not yet been identified and represent rich cultural potential for researchers.
In addition, new archival sources may provide additional information. During the Soviet period, research abroad was not available to us, but now we can, for example, use materials in Arabic from the famous scientific library in Toledo, Spain. In addition, graphic or text materials may lie, no one needs, in the archives of Istanbul, Cairo, Krakow - these cities had strong ties with the Kazan Khanate.
Preserving heritage without knowing how old it is and how valuable it is is not a modern approach.
What to do?
The issue comes down to money. We need a program for the study of architectural artifacts of the Khan's Kazan and the Russian-Tatar Middle Ages. It’s worth it, because the tower is of great interest to tourists. Historical cities The world is constantly being explored, artifacts are identified, enriching its cultural significance in the eyes of the world community. Research of the Syuyumbike tower can reveal the architectural and construction layers of the Middle Ages. In a word, its attribution is an extremely important issue. I would like to hope that it will be resolved.
PILLAR
in architecture.
1) a massive internal support (usually rectangular or cross-shaped in plan) supporting the vaults. The term "pillar" is most often used in relation to the design of cross-domed churches.
2) tower, tower-like structure (for example, pillar-shaped Russian tent-roofed churches of the 16th century.
Architectural Dictionary. 2012
See also interpretations, synonyms, meanings of the word and what a PILLAR is in Russian in dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference books:
- PILLAR in the Dictionary of Construction Terms:
in architecture - a pillar, ... - PILLAR in the Brief Church Slavonic Dictionary:
- column, tower, ... - PILLAR in the Big Encyclopedic Dictionary:
- PILLAR in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, TSB:
in architecture, 1) a massive internal support (usually rectangular or cross-shaped in plan) supporting vaults. The term "S." most often used... - PILLAR in the Encyclopedic Dictionary:
, -a, m. 1. In architecture: tower, column. 2. transfer About an outstanding figure (obsolete, high, and ironic). Pillars of society. 4 … - PILLAR in the Big Russian Encyclopedic Dictionary:
tower, tower-like structure. Pillar, column (for example, a 4-pillar temple - with 4 internal... - PILLAR
hundred"lp, pillars", pillar", pillar"in, pillar", pillar"m, pillar", pillar"in, pillar"m, pillar"mi, pillar", ... - PILLAR in the Complete Accented Paradigm according to Zaliznyak:
hundred"lp, pillars", pillar", pillar"in, pillar", pillar"m, hundred"lp, pillars", pillar"m, pillar"mi, pillar", ... - PILLAR in Abramov's Dictionary of Synonyms:
see chapter, protection, ... - PILLAR in the Russian Synonyms dictionary:
tower, belief, figure, column, stronghold, foundation, ... - PILLAR in the New Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language by Efremova:
- PILLAR in the Complete Spelling Dictionary of the Russian Language:
pillar, -a (obsolete to pillar; tower or column; large, prominent figure; musical note ... - PILLAR in the Spelling Dictionary:
pillar, -`a (obsolete to pillar; tower or column; large, prominent figure; musical note ... - PILLAR in Ozhegov’s Dictionary of the Russian Language:
In architecture: tower, column, pillar, obsolete. high and iron. about the outstanding figure Pillars... - PILLAR in the Modern Explanatory Dictionary, TSB:
1) tower, tower-like structure. 2) Pillar, column (for example, a 4-pillar temple - with 4 internal ... - PILLAR in Ushakov’s Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language:
pillar, m. 1. Same as pillar (church). Pillar of salt. 2. Tower, tower, column (historical, obsolete rhetorical). He rose higher... - PILLAR in Ephraim's Explanatory Dictionary:
1. m. obsolete 1) Same as: pillar (1*1.2). 2) a) Column supporting vaults and ceilings. b) Monument in the form of a column, ... - PILLAR in the New Dictionary of the Russian Language by Efremova:
- PILLAR in the Large Modern Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language:
I m outdated 1. the same as pillar I 1., 2. 2. Column supporting vaults, ceilings. Ott. A monument in the form of... - LOTOVA in the Bible Encyclopedia of Nikephoros:
WIFE (Luke 17:31,32). “Remember Lot’s wife,” said the Lord in one of the conversations about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world. Her appeal... - THEOKTIST CHERNIGOV
Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Theoktist (+ 1123), Bishop of Chernigov, Saint. Commemorated on August 5 and in the Cathedral of the Reverends... - Stylite in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Stylites (Gr. στυλίτης, Lat. stylita), holy venerables who have chosen for themselves a special feat - standing on ... - NEHEM 9 in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Bible. Old Testament. Book of Nehemiah. Chapter 9 Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 … - ISKH 33 in the Orthodox Encyclopedia Tree:
Open Orthodox encyclopedia "TREE". Bible. Old Testament. Exodus. Chapter 33 Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 …
The tower is one of the oldest works of architectural art created by human hands. The shape of the tower building was borrowed from nature itself and dictated by purely practical considerations - it was easier to defend against enemies from a hill.
The construction of towers has been reflected in many peoples in different historical eras. At first, most of the towers performed exclusively defensive functions or had a practical purpose of a different nature (for example, they acted as a lighthouse that illuminated the way for sailors). However, subsequently the decorative role of tower buildings came to the fore.
But the first towers built by man had both defensive and important religious significance, since by climbing it, a person seemed to become closer to heaven, and therefore to God. For the same reason, the bell tower, which is an indispensable part in various religions, has the shape of a tower.
In Christian and Muslim religious traditions, towers served as important religious buildings - bell towers and minarets. they tried to decorate the buildings with ornaments and numerous relief decorative details.
In architecture, he brought with him the tradition of decorating towers with statues and entire sculptural groups. A striking example of this building can be the towers and many other Gothic structures of the Middle Ages.
The dimensions, shape and size of the towers depended on their purpose. There are watchtowers, lighthouses, clock towers, and astronomical observation towers.
Lighthouses, which have been built since ancient times, were tall towers with a number of indoor areas and several fire pits. This is how, for example, the famous lighthouse on the island of Pharos near Alexandria was built. A fire burned on its top floor at night.
Today, the 55-meter lighthouse in Brigantia continues to operate ( modern city La Coruña, located in the northwestern part of Spain), which was built by Sergius Lupus around the year 100. They call her " Tower of Hercules»
Tower of Hercules in La Coruña (Spain) The so-called tower of the winds with water and sundial. It appeared as part of the fortifications back in the times of Greek and Roman cities, and therefore became a component of the city hall.
In the late antique period, the towers were used mainly as military warehouses. Roman watchtowers along the border line were originally built of wood, and later they were made of stone. In plan, the watchtower was a square with a length of 2.5 to 6 meters. Watchtowers reached a height of eight meters and, as a rule, were surrounded by deep ditches.
In late Roman times, watchtowers were built bigger size, which were installed on particularly unprotected sections of the border, in particular on the bend of the Danube, in the area of the Iron Gate.
It is interesting that government residences, built in the form of a castle - fortress or kremlin, had a closed system of towers. Among them, the central place was occupied donjon- free-standing main tower castle, round or quadrangular in plan. During the capture of the castle, it became the last refuge for the defenders. This is exactly how it was built at the end of the 11th century. Tower- castle - a fortress in London, one of the royal residences, which later became a prison, and today - simply a historical place.
In some parts of the Southern Andes, especially in the area of Lake Titicaca, cylindrical or rectangular funerary towers made of stone or adobe, called chulpa.
Types of towers
This is how diverse towers are in their architectural features and functional purpose. However, from the whole variety of tower buildings, several main types can be distinguished:
- Campanile- this was the name of the Italian tower - a bell tower, which was located next to the church building or separately from it. This tower can have either a round or square shape in plan.
- Needle- a type of tower buildings, the top of which was crowned with an acute-angled spire, shaped like an igloo. As a rule, the base of the spire was surrounded by a small figured parapet.
The tower is the needle of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg - Tower antenna support- This is an antenna-mast structure, which is part of the equipment of radio-electronic communication towers. These structures can be of various types - mast, tower, equipped with pipe racks and many others. Most often, the antenna support takes the form of a metal structure mounted on a solid concrete foundation.
Antenna - mast structure - tower looking for metal trusses on the railway. - observation tower- is a building that is part of the ensemble medieval castle. However, it can also be placed as a separate building. From the windows and balconies of the observation tower there was good review for many kilometers around, so in ancient times it was used to monitor the surrounding space in order to avoid a surprise attack by the enemy.
Later, when things became calmer and peaceful times, observation towers began to be used by high-ranking persons, who climbed them in order to admire the beautiful landscape of the surrounding area. The architecture of the buildings also changed - the towers became more elegant and luxuriously decorated.
- Kalancha- is a type of observation (or watch) tower that was erected at a fire or police station. The towers were used to monitor fire safety in the city, as well as to inform other fire departments using special signals about the location of the fire and the extent of the danger.
- Tower with spire- this type of tower, as a rule, crowned church buildings. At the base the spire was square, but rising higher, the tower took on the shape of a faceted octagon.
- Lighthouse- a tower-type structure that is part of the navigation equipment of the coasts of seas, oceans and other large bodies of water. In any weather conditions and at any time of the day the lighthouse must give signals to ships. Modern beacons, in addition to equipment for their visual identification, are also equipped with a number of means for radar and sound detection.
- beffroy- this is one of the types of towers that served as a symbol of city power for many European cities of the Middle Ages. Translated from French, “beffroy” means “veche tower.” Thus, the tower = beffroy housed a hall for holding meetings of the city council. In other rooms important documents, seals and even the city treasury were kept.
- Bell tower- a building for religious purposes, characteristic of the Christian religious tradition. The bell tower could be called either the entire building as a whole or its upper part.
- Minaret- a special type of tower building adopted in the Muslim religious tradition. Almost every mosque stands surrounded by slender minarets, which not only add sophistication to everything architectural ensemble mosques, but also have an important practical purpose. From the balcony of the minaret certain time The muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.
Beautiful minaret of Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) - Watch tower— the main practical purpose of this type of tower was that sentinels were on duty on its walls, who from the height of the tower surveyed the entire city, and also carefully examined the nearby surroundings. In the event of a fire or the approach of an enemy, the sentinels were supposed to notify the townspeople by ringing the alarm bell located on.
- Fortress tower- a type of building that was part of fortifications and protective fences in ancient times and during the Middle Ages. Fortress towers were very strong and massive; they were built from brick, wood or natural stone, and were most often placed at the corners of fortress walls.
Such towers could be semicircular or round in plan. square, rectangular and even polygonal shapes. Their main purpose was to monitor the surrounding area, as well as protect the approaches to the walls and gates. Longitudinal shelling was carried out from the fortress walls, and they also served as the best shelter for the defenders of the fortress.
- Siege tower- is a massive structure made of durable wood, the main purpose of which was to help the troops storming the city and besieging the fortress. Other names for such structures are assault towers or tours. Siege towers were temporary structures; they were built from wooden beams directly on the battlefield. A similar structure moved on four wheels.
- Round Tower- characteristic of the architecture of Irish monasteries. Such a tower is characterized by a base of a regular round shape. At the same time, its circumference gradually decreases from the base to the top. The roof of a round tower often has a conical shape.
- Fortification tower— this building had important defensive significance. It was part of the medieval architectural ensemble, and was its most fortified part, although it was built separately from the rest of the buildings. It was the castle tower that could become the last refuge for the brave defenders of the fortress.
- Water tower- type of tower structure as part of the water supply system of a city or other settlement. The building performs the functions of regulating water pressure and water flow in the general water supply network.
With the help of a water tower, it becomes possible to accumulate a certain amount of water reserves, as well as ensure the uninterrupted operation of pumping stations.
- TV tower- is a building in the form of a high support of a tower or mast type, which is equipped with transmitting antennas of television and radio transmitters for broadcasting programs from the transmission center.
Thus, we see that tower structures have been widely used since ancient times to the present day. Towers come in different designs and for different purposes, but they all have only one thing in common - at all times they were much higher than all other buildings. To this day, the towers serve people in various fields of activity.
