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Sujumbike tower is a recognized symbol of the city of Kazan. It is located inside the Kazan Kremlin in the distance from the fortress walls previously played the role of the castle watchtower. From its top tier there is a good view of Kazanka and Volga rivers and their surroundings. The foundations of the tower rests on oak piles, the walls are made of bricks. Sujumbike consists of 7 layers, which have different shapes: three lower tiers have the form of a square, the others are octagonal. The top two tiers, an observation post and a tented roof are topped with a green spire with a finial in the form of a gilded apple with a crescent. The total height of the tower is 58 meters. The exact time when the Sujumbike tower was built is unknown. The earliest mention in written sources dates back to 1777, when the tower was marked on the plan of the Kazan Kremlin. In press and literature the combination of words of Sujumbike Tower appeared for the first time in 1832 and lately it has become widely used. The origin of the tower is shrouded in legends. One of them tells that the tower was built by tatar queen Sujumbike who ruled in XVI century, in the memory of her husband Safa-Giray, who died in 1549. Another legend tells that Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible wanted to marry gorgeous Sujumbike. She agreed, but told him to build the highest tower in Kazan in 7 days, one floor in one day. When tower was completed, Suyumbike climbed on the last floor, looked at her city and junped down.
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