Kul-Shariff Mosque

The Kull-Shariff Mosque is located inside the Kazan Kremlin, the chief historic citadel of Tatarstan, situated in the city of Kazan.

It is the biggest mosque in Europe and it was opened in June 2005. It was built on the site of a previous mosque that was destryed in 1552, during the siege of Kazan.

The siege of Kazan was the final battle of Russo-Kazan Wars. It led to the lose of Tatarstan's independence, the total destruction of Kazan city and the massacre of its population. Ivan the Terrible sacked Kazan to pay his men and the city's survivors were massacred or enslaved. The city was buried to ashes.

Nowdays, the mosque's look is modern and elegant an it serves mostly as a Museum of Islam, although it also helds all the major Muslim celebrations.

Besides the main building, there is also a library, a publishing house and Imam's Office.

This gorgeous card was sent by bo-lg, from Tatarstan Republic of Russia.

Source: Wikipedia.