Description of the attraction
The western building of the Cannon Yard of the Kazan Kremlin was built in 1812. It was rebuilt several times: in 1836 and at the beginning of the 20th century. The last restoration was carried out in 1996–99.
In 1812, Napoleon's troops were near Moscow. The cannon yard worked intensively, but the capacity was not enough. Inside the Cannon Yard, a forge was urgently built, in which there were 32 forges. In 1836, the complex of buildings of the Cannon Yard was annexed to the complex of the Junker School. The functional purpose of the building has changed. The building houses ice cellars, warehouses, dryers. A carriage workshop worked. At this time, the appearance of the building has changed a lot. The second floor was built and a wooden gallery appeared. At the end of the 20th century, the building fell into disrepair. The restoration work returned the building to its original appearance.
The one-story, elongated building is covered with a pitched roof. There are 16 pipe outlets on the roof. There was one trumpet for every two forges. The West Building is divided in length into 4 parts. Each section has a firewall overlooking the roof. There are 6 windows on the facade in each section. The windows are located in arched arches. Forged bars are installed on the windows. The grilles are made of corrugated elements joined by brackets. The building has wooden double-leaf gates with a wicket. The gate is decorated with wrought iron kochets and knockers. Elements of the building's structure can be seen in the interiors of the West Building. Unsheathed rafters and supports are visible.
Two sections of the building are given over to the control room, from which the management and management of the operation of many of the Kremlin buildings will be carried out. The other two sections house the Crafts Center. One section is occupied by a jewelry workshop, the second by a smithy, a sewing workshop and a pottery workshop. The workshops represent the Chamber of Crafts of the Republic of Tatarstan.
