The small village of Bilyarsk in Tatarstan is actually not so simple. It practically stands on the site of one of the largest and richest trading cities of Volga Bulgaria - Bilyar. The city was completely wiped off the face of the earth by the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Now in the field next to the village you can see the results of archaeological excavations, but they are quite scarce. But several treasures were found in the Bilyar area.
Quick link: Bilyarsk on the map
Bilyarsk was founded in the 10th century, its area was 600-800 hectares. The city was surrounded by a wall and a moat, within which there were about 1,200 buildings. Among them are the Khan's Caravanserai, the Cathedral Mosque (about 2500 sq.m.), hotels and shopping areas.
Bilyarsk was a progressive city, being the trade center of Bulgaria, it also absorbed technology. Skilled glassblowers, blacksmiths and potters worked here, baths were built, and heating was installed in rich houses. I wonder what the city looked like, filled with Asian gifts: ceramics, jewelry, silks, weapons, oriental carpets, the aroma of spices and the shine of rock crystal?
Nowadays, Bilyarsk is famous, first of all, as a shrine. Moreover, this place is revered by Muslims, Christians, and pagans. Here, at the foot of the Master Mountain, the Holy Spring flows, and at its top there is a “Wishing Stone” to which 444 steps lead!
The Holy Spring and the mountain, which is also called Devichaya and Khuzhalar-Tau, are located away from the village. This is a very nice and cozy place where, surrounded by pine and maple trees, you can have a pleasant time. There are gazebos with barbecues, you can rent everything you need for a picnic, and also visit the archaeological museum of Bilyarsk.
Museum building
Entry group
Prices for renting a gazebo and cooking utensils. Please note: the photo is from 2021, prices may have changed.
Very beautiful alleys
Places for rest
After the pavilions we come to the famous Holy Spring. Several legends are also associated with its appearance, which I will write below. Unfortunately, the spring was not working during our visit. This is what it looks like:
The “Holy Key” tract is considered a holy place among representatives of Christianity, Islam and even pagans. Before becoming Muslims, the Bulgars worshiped the god Tengra - his sanctuary was located somewhere on the mountain.
According to one legend, during the attack of the Tatar-Mongols, 7 especially obstinate sisters were captured. They were forced to carry the earth with handkerchiefs until they completed the mountain. Afterwards it was decided to execute them on its top. During the execution, the girls turned into 7 stars in the sky (according to another version, into birds), and their father, in despair, threw himself from the mountain - since then the Holy Spring has been churning at its foot.
But the Christian legend explains the appearance of the source in its own way. An icon once disappeared from a local church and was found by a Muslim girl. The icon floated in the pond and floated into her hands. The girl took it back to the church, but the next day the image floated in the pond again. When the girl tried to catch her, she heard a voice in her head: “If you want to catch me, become a Christian. And I myself will come into your arms and will not disappear from the church again.” The girl did just that, she was baptized, and the locals began to venerate her as a saint. When she died, she was buried on a mountain from which a spring gushed out.
And there is a fountain nearby
. By the way, in addition to the indoor spring, there is another one nearby, where water simply flows from a pipe. This is the same spring.
From here begins the climb to the Master's Mountain to the Wishing Stone. The climb is long - we walked for about 20 minutes, you can get tired without preparation. But we counted the steps - there are, indeed, 444 of them.
Are you ready? Now it will be beautiful!
The name of the Maiden Mountain comes from another legend.
During the Mongol invasion, 40 girls built a fortress on the mountain and heroically defended the city. They all died, but the remains of the fortress can still be found here. In honor of this legend, a memorial stone was erected on the mountain.
Throughout the climb, people tie ribbons here.
There is a rest area in the middle of the climb. Two pagan pillar symbols were installed here. According to those who traveled in 2021, they are no longer there.
From here it’s already a stone’s throw to our goal. And so we pass through the alley and see it - the Desire Stone!
I always mark locations in my energy reports. And as I approached, I almost felt very powerful energy on my skin. I even felt a little uneasy from such pressure, but this was out of habit.
