Tatar Kasimov: a look through the ages

Start your walk with a visit to the Khan Mosque. The minaret resembles a fortress tower not without reason: the building was erected at the time when wars and raids took place constantly. The mosque is inactive.
Near the mosque there is a tomb of Shakh-Ali Khan. He led the Russian army during the Livonian war. The tekke (sacral place) was built by khan for himself. The rectangular white stone building is decorated with a plaque on which the dates of the ruler's birth and death are carved in Arabic letters.
In autumn, spring and summer one can climb the minaret for a panoramic view of the river and the city.

Sobornaya Square is the central square of the city. It is surrounded by buildings of trading rows, the beautiful Ascension Cathedral (1862), and two old churches.
Take a closer look at the white and yellow building - this is the house of the zemstvo commissar Skornyakov, who was in charge of the local merchant Batashev, a Russian Count Dracula. Batashev tortured and murdered serfs, burned a police official alive, walled up his underground workshops with people, where workers printed counterfeit coins.
Secret passages were found in the two-meter walls of this building on the Sobornaya Square, and secret rooms were found below. It is believed that Batashev forced an assistant to store his counterfeit money here.

Collector Mikhail Silkov made a gift to his native city: he opened two museums: of bells and samovars. Be sure to take a look at the latter. There is an ancestor of samovars - sbitennik, and there are almost three hundred classic "teapots".
The museum is open every day except Monday.

There used to be 7 bell foundries in Kasimov, and local bells were as famous as Valdai bells. It's best to visit the museum with a guided tour - each piece has its own history. And don't forget that Mondays are off.

Have lunch at a small and inexpensive cafe with delicious food.

From the samovars museum it's a good idea to take a walk to the local history museum. On the way you will see the most beautiful church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The local history museum is located in the former mansion of the merchants Alyanchivs. This museum is the oldest in the Ryazan region, it was founded in 1919.
And also in this museum a variety of master classes and events are held, see details at website.
The museum is open every day, except for the fifth and last Friday of every month.

It is said that near the Church of the Epiphany of the Lord (or St. George) lived its age skomorokh Ivan Balakirev, who was jokingly appointed governor of Kasimov by Peter I (the throne was empty then). He failed to become a new khan. The jester miraculously survived the terrible torture and accusations of treason, after which he never smiled again. His grave is behind this church.

You can dine at the restaurant at the Kasimov hotel. The menu abounds with interesting dishes of traditional Russian cuisine: sterlet fish soup, pike fish dumplings (crescent-shaped zrazy), pancakes with red caviar. Tatar cuisine is represented by azu - vegetable stew with meat. A solid wine list comes as a bonus.

There aren't many classes in Kasimov tonight - except a movie theater and a couple of bars. If all the films in the announced poster have already been watched, it's more like going to the hotel to gain strength before tomorrow!