The construction of the Mardzhani mosque in 1767-1770 was the embodiment of the beginning of the period of religious tolerance in Russia. During the visit of Catherine the Great to Kazan, representatives of the Tatar settlement, noble Kazan merchants, complained to the "mother-intercessor" that persecution by the authorities does not allow them to realize their religious needs. As a supporter of tolerance, the empress ordered Governor A. N. Kvashnin-Samarin not to interfere with the construction of Muslim religious buildings.

There were several names, originally - the First Cathedral, then - Efendi (Lord's), Yunusovskaya (by the name of merchants Yunusovs - patrons of the mosque) and al-Mardjani in honor of Imam Shigabutdin Mardzhani, who served in it in the second half of the 19th century and did a lot for development of religious education in the city.

The peculiarity of the Mardzhani mosque is the combination in the architecture of the medieval style of mosques with a minaret on the roof, traditional Tatar decorative ornament and elements of the "St. Petersburg" baroque in the design of facades and interiors. The architect of the mosque was V.I. Kaftrov. In the Soviet years the Mardzhani mosque was the only mosque in Kazan

For many years, the Marjani Mosque is the site of cultural events of the Muslim community, rituals, rituals of Kurban Bairam and Uraz Bairam, etc. Near the mosque are the building of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Tatarstan, Kazan Islamic College, halal food stores and Muslim literature .

Practical information

Mardzhani Mosque is one of the sights of Staro-Tatar settlement and is open to tourists, observing the rules of visiting religious Muslim institutions (shoes is left at the entrance, kerchiefs and skirts for women are required.)

• Address of the mosque: st. Kayuma Nasyri, 17.

Mardjani Mosque

Inside the Mardjani Mosque