Sviyazhsk (russian: Свия́жск; tt-Cyrl, Зөя, ''Zöya'') is a
rural locality (a ''
selo'') in the
Republic of Tatarstan,
Russia, located at the
confluence
In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. A confluence can occur in several configurations: at the point where a tributary joins a larger river (main stem); o ...
of the
Volga and
Sviyaga Rivers. It is often referred to as an
island since the 1955 construction of the
Kuybyshev Reservoir downstream at
Tolyatti, but it is in fact connected to the mainland by a causeway.
In 2017 the
Assumption Cathedral and Monastery were added to the list of
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk
/ref>
Sviyazhsk was founded in 1551 as a fortress
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...
, which was built within four weeks from parts made in Uglich and transported down the Volga. It became a military base of the Russian army
The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска В Sukhoputnyye voyska V, also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the Army, land forces of the Russian Armed Forces.
The primary responsibilities of the Russian Gro ...
during the siege of Kazan (1552).
Since the 18th century, Sviyazhsk served as a center of an uyezd. In 1920–1927, it was a center of Sviyazhsky Kanton; in 1927–1931—the administrative center of Sviyazhsky District. In 1932, it was demoted to rural status.
There is a school and a club in Sviyazhsk, as well as a monastery associated with the name of Macarius of Unzha.
Sviyazhsk railway station
Station Sviyazhsk - Gorky Railway Station in Sviyazhsk. Enters into the Department of Railway Stations, a subsidiary of Joint Stock Company "Russian Railways".
The station is located on the Moscow - Kazan - Yekaterinburg at a distance of 752 km f ...
is located 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.
Sviyazhsk Ioanno-Predtechensky Convent 08-2016 img4.jpg, Trinity Church
Sviyazhsk Rozhdestvenskaya Street and pier 08-2016 img1.jpg, View towards the pier
Sviyazhsk Horseyard 08-2016 img1.jpg, Horseyard of Uspensky Monastery
Sviyazhsk Uspensky Monastery 08-2016 img5.jpg, View of Uspensky Monastery
Historical population
*1989: 747 (Russians - 66%, Tatars - 27%)
References
{{Authority control
Rural localities in Tatarstan
Sviyazhsky Uyezd
Defunct towns in Russia
Populated places established in 1551
World Heritage Tentative List
1551 establishments in Russia
Islands of the Volga River