Kaban Lakes

Kaban Lakes
Lower Qaban
Coordinates	55°46′30″N 49°7′25″E
Lake type	Volga riverbed + karst processes
Primary outflows	Bolaq
Basin countries	Russia
Max. length	5,575 m (18,291 ft) (Nearby+Remote); 1,030 m (3,380 ft) (Upper)
Max. width	350 m (1,150 ft)
Surface area	1.86 km2 (0.72 sq mi)
Max. depth	12.5 m (41 ft)
Water volume	11.8×10^6 m3 (420×10^6 cu ft)
Surface elevation	51 m (167 ft)
Settlements	Kazan

The Kaban Lakes (Tatar: Кабан күле, romanized: Qaban küle, lit. 'قابان كولئ'; Russian: Кабан, lit. 'Boar') are a system of lakes in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia that includes Nizhny (Blizhny) Kaban, Verkhny Kaban, and Sredny Kaban. With a combined area of 1.86 square kilometers (0.72 sq mi), they comprise the biggest lake in Tatarstan.

The lakes are connected with the Kazanka River by the Bolaq channel and a subterranean channel from Bolaq-Qazansu. They are also connected with the Volga River by the city's sewage system.

The Thousandth Anniversary of Islam Mosque is situated on the bank.

The medieval Volga Bulgarians' graves which date back to 12-13th century were founded on the banks of Arğı Qaban.

One legend claims that, in the days before the Khanate of Kazan fell, the Khans threw all their valuables into the lakes.

Another legend about the origin of the lakes' names claims that, at the Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria, the Bulgarian prince Qabanbäk, escaped from Bilär city (or in Bolghar), fled to the banks of the lake and built a castle. Another version is that he founded İske Qazan.

Tatar myth also places Zilant, who had been transformed to Diü, as the ruler of the mythological Underwater Kingdom of Qaban.

• 
  Cityscape at Lower Qaban
• 
  Frozen Qaban from Kazan State University's building
• 
  Kamal Theatre and Tatenergo office at the Qaban's embankment
• 
  Fountain on Lower Qaban

References

• "Кабан күле". Tatar Encyclopaedia (in Tatar). Kazan: The Republic of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences. Institution of the Tatar Encyclopaedia. 2002.