Jan/25

The Temple of All Religions in Kazan

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Architecture, Regions, Travel

The Ecumenical Temple, also known as the Temple of All Religions and the International Cultural Center of Spiritual Unity is an architectural structure located in the Old Arakchino microdistrict in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Dedicated to various religions of the world, it is a popular landmark of the city.

The construction was started by the artist, architect, sculptor, and public figure Ildar Khanov in 1993. This idea came to him after traveling through Tibet and India. The temple was being built with the founder’s own funds until his death in 2013. After it, his brother Ilgiz and sister Flyura Galeeva continued his work.

Religious services and ceremonies are not held here. The Ecumenical Temple is not intended as a place where people of different faiths can pray side by side, since people have not yet come to a single religion for all. It is just an architectural symbol of all religions and a museum.

An Orthodox church, a Muslim mosque, a Jewish synagogue, a Buddhist pagoda, and other objects of different confessions and religions are located side by side here. In total, the project envisaged domes and other iconic elements of buildings of 16 religions, including religious cults of vanished civilizations.

At present, the following have been created here: the Egyptian and Catholic halls, the Tea Room and the Hall of Jesus Christ, the Theatre Hall, and the Picture Gallery. Their interiors are decorated with works of monumental painting and decorative and applied art. The Temple of All Religions in Kazan on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.