Söyembikä Tower, Inclined tower in Kazan Kremlin, Russia
Söyembikä Tower is a seven-tiered brick structure inside the Kazan Kremlin that reaches 58 meters (190 feet) and shows a visible lean to one side. The architecture combines Tatar ornaments with Russian fortress elements and tapers to a narrow top crowned by a crescent.
Historians believe the tower was built sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, when Russian builders constructed tiered towers across the country. The exact origin remains uncertain because written records are missing or were lost over time.
The structure takes its name from Queen Söyembikä, last regent of the Kazan Khanate, whose stories guides still share with visitors today. The Muslim crescent at the top reflects centuries of Tatar presence and religious practice in this part of the city.
Visitors can view the structure from outside while walking around the Kremlin grounds, but access inside is not available. On clear days the surroundings offer good views of the lean and facade details.
The outline of this building appears on the facade of Moscow's Kazan Railway Station and was printed on the Russian 1000-ruble banknote in 2023. These depictions show how deeply the structure shapes Russian ideas of Kazan.
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