Description of the attraction
Kazan National Research Technical University named after A. N. Tupolev is located in the center of Kazan, not far from the Kazan Kremlin. The main building of the KNITU named after A. N. Tupolev occupies the building of the former First Imperial Gymnasium.
The landowner Molostov ordered the project of a two-story residential building to the architect F. Yemelyanov. The building was built in 1789. Later, the building was bought out by the city authorities. It was decided to organize a gymnasium, but the building was not enough for this purpose. It was completed: a left wing appeared, formed by the addition of a nearby residential building. The connecting element was a portico with six columns and a third floor with a dome.
For merits in education and in connection with the centenary, the gymnasium (the only one in Russia) was awarded the title of Imperial. In 1804, Kazan University was founded on the basis of the gymnasium. From 1804 to 1814, both educational institutions functioned together, under the direction of one director. Gymnasium graduates became students of the university. In 1917 the gymnasium was disbanded. In the period up to 1932, many owners changed at the building. In 1932, the building of the former Imperial Gymnasium was transferred to the Kazan Aviation Institute.
At first, there were two departments at KAI: aerodynamic and aircraft construction. In 1934, an aircraft engineering faculty was opened at KAI, on the basis of these two departments. During the Great Patriotic War, evacuated units and laboratories of several well-known institutes of the USSR were transferred to KAI. During this period, the leading scientists of the country worked at KAI under the leadership of Academician, the future president of the USSR Academy of Sciences - M. V. Keldysh. In 1945, a new, unique in the country, department of jet engines was founded at KAI. The head of the department was the future academician V. P. Glushko. One of the first teachers was S. P. Korolev. Nowadays KNITU named after Tupolev prepares specialists in many specialties.
