In Photos: UNESCO Adds Astronomical Observatories in Russia’s Tatarstan to World Heritage List
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee last month inscribed the astronomical observatories of Kazan Federal University (KFU) in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan to its World Heritage List.
The two buildings in the heart of Tatarstan, which were inscribed as a single property, is the only cultural object from Russia that made the list this year. Earlier, UNESCO decided against awarding the special status to the historic town of Gorokhovets in central Russia.
There are now a total of 31 UNESCO heritage sites in Russia, four of which are located in the Turkic-majority republic.
"The astronomical center established in Kazan occupies a special place in the system of observatories of the world, having become the first easternmost point in the world to conduct the advanced research of the Earth, Space and its exploration and the Universe, which currently is scaled up in the scientific research of Kazan astronomers and represent its continuity," the site's nomination document reads.
Here is a closer look at Tatarstan’s unique astronomical observatories:
The two buildings in the heart of Tatarstan, which were inscribed as a single property, is the only cultural object from Russia that made the list this year. Earlier, UNESCO decided against awarding the special status to the historic town of Gorokhovets in central Russia.
There are now a total of 31 UNESCO heritage sites in Russia, four of which are located in the Turkic-majority republic.
"The astronomical center established in Kazan occupies a special place in the system of observatories of the world, having become the first easternmost point in the world to conduct the advanced research of the Earth, Space and its exploration and the Universe, which currently is scaled up in the scientific research of Kazan astronomers and represent its continuity," the site's nomination document reads.
Here is a closer look at Tatarstan’s unique astronomical observatories:
The Astronomical Observatories of KFU site is comprised of two separate buildings: the Kazan City Astronomical Observatory on the University's campus and the Engelhardt Astronomical Observatory, which is located some 20 kilometers outside of the region's capital.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
The Engelhardt Astronomical Observatory was built in 1901 and includes structures for sky observations and residential buildings located within a scenic park.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
The Engelhardt Observatory is named after renowned Russian astronomer Vasily von Engelhardt, who donated unique equipment from his private observatory in Dresden to Kazan University.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
Both observatories have been well-preserved with the original astronomical instruments gifted by Engelhardt still intact.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
Since 2013, the Engelhardt Observatory is also home to a publicly accessible planetarium.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
The Kazan City Astronomical Observatory was built in 1837.
Stanislav Alexandrovich Korotkiy (CC BY 3.0)
Located in the center of Kazan, the Observatory has three distinct towers constructed to house astronomical instruments.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
UNESCO's decision to include the observatories to its World Heritage list was announced at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee that took place in Saudi Arabia last month.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
To support its bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Tatarstan's government sent a large diplomatic delegation to Riyadh, which included the region's first president and political heavyweight Mintimer Shaimiev.
Tatarstan's government sent a large diplomatic delegation to Riyadh, which included the region's first president and political heavyweight Mintimer Shaimiev.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
"We still can't believe it, it seems more like a dream," Tatarstan's Culture Minister Irada Aupova said of UNESCO's decision in an interview with local news outlet Business Online.
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
