“Serp i Molot” was the first heavy machinery building plant in Kazan and Tatarstan. In 1718, Tzar Peter 1 ordered to establish Admiralty for shipbuilding near the village Bishbalta that had the long-standing tradition of that craft. The demand for metal and cast iron increased over times and in 1851 merchant A.N. Sveshnikov established a specialized plant with five anvils, three forges and foundry lining. The plant started to repair the ships, manufacture anchors, chains, pumps, and other items needed for shipbuilding. In 1911 the plant’s chief engineer N.P. Yartsev became an owner and got determined to invest into development of the plant and its surroundings. He was the one who built the first movie theater in Kazan. During the October Revolution, when many workers got involved in strikes and demonstrations while supporting Bolsheviks (Red Army), the plant stopped operating. In 1918, during short-lived (March through September) and unsuccessful occupation of Kazan by belocheks (White Gvardia), N.P. Yartsev joined retreating army and left the plant without leadership. 

The plant stayed stagnant until 1922 when the new Soviet Government repurposed it to manufacture the equipment and tools for agricultural needs. A new name for the plant was coined: Urak hem Shchukeshch / Serp I Molot / Sickle and Hammer.  During the industrialization period in late 1920ies, the plant changed the direction and started manufacturing conveyor belts. During the World War, the plant produced the helmets, sapper shovels, cartridges, and cases. 

In 1942, by Stalin directive, the equipment of “Uran” scientific laboratory, led by prominent nuclear physicist I.V. Kurchatov, was moved from Leningrad to Kazan. In “Serp I Molot” plant, the two sections were dedicated to produce Lange centrifuges for nuclear energy objects. After war, the plant resumed manufacturing of conveyor belts for auto giants VAZ in Togliatti and KAMAZ in Naberezhnye Chelny. Various manufactured tools and equipment were exported to Cuba, Vietnam and other countries. Cable cars and roads were manufactured for Donbass, Kuzbass and other mining regions of USSR.

In 1980-ies during Perestroika the plant slowed down its operations. Political and economic changes of the last decade of 20^th century and collapse of Soviet Union led the plant to bankruptcy. 

The building space got rented to small businesses. At the beginning of 21^stcentury, the plant turned into bazar-shopping center “Admiral”. 

March 11, 2015, the day huge fire erupted in the center and destroyed the buildings, is considered the last day of the plant’s existence.

Sponsor Garafutdin Khisamutdinov presented the memorial plaque to the city on July 26, 2023. The memorial plaque was made by sculptor Zulfiya Mukhamedyanova.If you become interested in learning about Tatars and specifically their unique traditional art of leather mosaic – consider reading the page on this website about of technique unique leather crafts are created