River port and museum storage building opens in Sviyazhsk

July 22, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov visited the island town of Sviyazhsk where he attended the opening of the River Port and visited the new museum storage. Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Russian Deputy Culture Minister Konstantin Cherepennikov and other officials also were in Sviyazhsk with the President.

The construction of the building of the River Port took a year. Its area is 955 square meters; it will house a bus station, an information centre and a café.

After the opening of the River Port, the visitors headed for the site of excavations of ruins of the Annunciation church. It was built in the mid-18th century and destroyed in the 30s of the 20th century. Archeological excavations are underway now. The church foundation will be conserved. Rustam Minnikhanov agreed with scientists’ suggestion not to restore the church but to leave the ruins as a monument reminding of the events that took place on the island during the Soviet period.

Rustam Minnikhanov also visited the museum storage of the State History and Architecture Museum of the Island Town of Sviyazhsk.