| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 The island | |
 Interactive map of Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk | |
| Location | Tatarstan,Russia |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii)(iv) |
| Reference | 1525 |
| Inscription | 2017 (41stSession) |
| Area | 3.25 ha (8.0 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 11,563.9 ha (28,575 acres) |
| Coordinates | 55°46′13″N48°39′10″E / 55.77028°N 48.65278°E /55.77028; 48.65278 |
  Sviyazhsk Location of Sviyazhsk in Tatarstan .jpg) Sviyazhsk Sviyazhsk (European Russia) Show map of European Russia Sviyazhsk Sviyazhsk (Russia) Show map of Russia | |
Sviyazhsk (Russian:Свия́жск;Tatar:Зөя,romanized: Zöyä) is arural locality (aselo) in theRepublic of Tatarstan,Russia, located at theconfluence of theVolga andSviyaga Rivers. It is often referred to as anisland since the 1955 construction of theKuybyshev Reservoir downstream atTolyatti, but it is in fact connected to the mainland by a causeway.[1]
In 2017 theAssumption Cathedral and Monastery were added to the list ofUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.[2]
Sviyazhsk was founded in 1551 as afortress, which was built within four weeks from parts made inUglich and transported down the Volga. It became amilitary base of theRussian army during thesiege of Kazan (1552).
Since the 18th century, Sviyazhsk served as a center of anuyezd. In 1920–1927, it was a center of SviyazhskyKanton; in 1927–1931—theadministrative center of Sviyazhsky District. In 1932, it was demoted to rural status.
For 20 years the NKVD ran a prison and camp in the town. In the mid-1990s remains of some of the dead or executed prisoners were buried in the grounds of the Monastery of the Assumption and a monument (later greatly improved) was raised over them.[3]
There is a school and a club in Sviyazhsk, as well as a monastery associated with the name ofMacarius of Unzha.
Sviyazhsk railway station is located 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) west of the island and is linked with Sviyazhsk proper by a highway running along a causeway.
Another way to get there is by a boat from the port of Kazan. In summer every day at 08:30 a fast boat departs at pier 8, and at 09:00 a slow boat. Tickets can be bought on the spot near the kassa.
