In the years 1630-1640, with the blessing of Kazan Metropolitan Matfei, a white-stone bell tower over 50 meters high was built next to the cathedral. It replaced a wooden bell tower mentioned in the census books of the 16th century, which noted: "the cathedral bell tower in the square is wooden, and on it is a large bell for the good news with a cap, and two medium bells, and two smaller ringing bells, all bells belong to the State Treasury." The first tier of the bell tower housed the largest bell in Kazan, weighing about 24,570 kg.

In the 18th century, the bell tower was equipped with striking clocks, and next to it, in the cathedral's enclosure, was the gate church of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, which was dismantled during the archbishopric of Kazan and Simbirsk Ambrose Podobedov.

The bell tower adjoined the porch of the refectory part of the cathedral and had five tiers, slightly shorter than the Syuyumbike Tower. Three tiers of fire-like kokoshniks rose from the last tier to the base of the dome, which was originally helmet-shaped. According to M. Pinegin, the bell tower combined Tatar style with ancient Russian: the lower floors were built under the influence of the architecture of the Syuyumbike Tower, while the upper ones resembled the style of Ivan the Great's bell tower. Instead of a roof, it was adorned with various small towers. The bell tower was topped with a "pierced cross with a crown and a dove of Noah's Ark."

In 1928, the bell tower of the Annunciation Cathedral was destroyed, and in its place now lies a park located south of the cathedral.

Under the bell tower was a church, originally consecrated in honor of the holy martyr Irina, which was closed in the late 18th century due to dilapidation. Thanks to the efforts of Kazan Archbishop Philaret, in 1832 the church was restored with funds from Kazan merchant and city mayor Nikifor Osipovich Chizhov and consecrated in the name of the Kazan miracle worker Saint Herman.