Bolgar Museum-Reserve - an example of medieval architecture

The historical and archaeological complex of Bulgar, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Tatarstan, 200 km south of Kazan and 120 km north of Ulyanovsk.

The Bulgarian Museum-Reserve is located on the site where settlements of the Neolithic, Bronze and Early Iron Ages were located, and later the main city of the powerful Volga Bulgaria arose. Aga-Bazar in the pre-Mongol period served as a trading platform from the end of the 8th century, connecting Ancient Rus' with the East, and then turned into the capital of the Northern Ulus of the Golden Horde.

3D virtual tours of Bulgar on the official website of the museum-reserve

History of creation

Photo from the site - turbina.ru
During the Soviet period, not far from present-day Bolgar, an ancient settlement was discovered, founded by Turkic-speaking tribes during the formation of Volga Bulgaria. The ancient settlement became the basis for the creation of a museum-reserve back in 1969.

In the 21st century, a comprehensive reconstruction of the historical and architectural complex began, which was completed in 2021. Now the museum-reserve appears to visitors in an updated, rather attractive appearance.

Architectural monuments of the Bulgarian Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve

Cathedral Mosque and Great Minaret

The construction of this architectural monument began after the Mongol conquest and ended in the 60s of the 13th century. The mosque was the main building of the city and was supposed to demonstrate the power of the state and the greatness of Islam, striking foreign guests with its beauty and size. At the beginning of the 14th century, the mosque underwent minor reconstruction, most likely associated with the emergence of defensive functions of the main temple, which served as a refuge for residents in the event of a siege of the city. An extension appeared at each wall of the mosque - a multifaceted fortress tower. Near the northern wall of the mosque you can see an adjacent ledge - this is the foundation of the Great Minaret. Unfortunately, this impressive 24-meter building collapsed in 1841, surviving only in old drawings, drawings and descriptions. Stylistically, the architecture of the Cathedral Mosque represents an original direction of eastern architecture, which developed in the conditions of the north. At the end of the 60s of the twentieth century, fragmentary restoration and conservation of the mosque building began, and since 1995, work has been underway to restore the Great Minaret.

Cathedral Mosque and Great Minaret

Northern Mausoleum or Monastery Cellar

In the northern part of the historical and architectural complex, opposite the Cathedral Mosque, there is the Northern Mausoleum. Its construction dates back to the 30s of the 14th century; the mausoleum was built as a family tomb of a noble Bulgarian family. At the beginning of the 18th century, the monks of the Assumption Monastery began to use the building for their own purposes. The building is made of white limestone and partially covered with tuff blocks. During the same period as the Cathedral Mosque, the Northern Mausoleum underwent fragmentary restoration and conservation.

Northern Mausoleum or Monastery Cellar

Eastern Mausoleum or Church of St. Nicholas

The Eastern Mausoleum is located on the eastern façade of the Cathedral Mosque. The architecture and history of creation exactly repeats all the data of the Northern Mausoleum, with the only difference that at the beginning of the 18th century the mausoleum was turned into the Russian Church of St. Nicholas.

Eastern Mausoleum or Church of St. Nicholas

Assumption Church

The church building is located in the northern part of the settlement, which is its historical center. The favorable location near the high slope of the Volga allows you to see from a distance the temple part of the church and the bell tower, which dominates among the Bulgarian buildings. The church was built in 1732, with donations from the Kazan merchant Mikhlyaev. During construction, workers used stones from the ruins of Bulgarian monuments for the foundation, and the basement of the church is made of Bulgarian tombstones, as well as Armenian and Arab tombstones, which are now of great scientific value to researchers. The stylistic design of the church building can be attributed to the so-called provincial baroque. Restoration work on the building was carried out several times, and since 1970 the church has housed the historical and archaeological museum of the reserve.

Assumption Church

Khan's chambers or bathhouse

This building is located near the Eastern Mausoleum; its construction dates back to the mid-13th and early 14th centuries. It was discovered by modern archaeologists only in 1984. Apparently, at the end of the 19th century, the structure was heavily destroyed in order to obtain stone for construction from ancient ruins. The building is the remains of the largest and oldest public bath in Bolgar. During the archaeological work, a solid layer of earth was uncovered, tons of soil and stone rubble were removed. Now tourists can see the underground heating system - channels that make a diametrical branch and one of the stoves. Among the finds during excavations, archaeologists discovered ceramics, coins, ancient water pipes, and elements of architectural details. An archaeological survey of the Khan's Chambers took place in 1984-1991.

Khan's chambers or bathhouse

Black Chamber

The building of the Black Chamber, located 400 meters south of the Cathedral Mosque complex and approximately the same distance east of the Small Town complex, is the best-preserved monument of Bulgarian architecture of the 14th century. Later, at the beginning of the 19th century, a smoking workshop was set up in this building, so the building both outside and inside actually became black.

Researchers have not come to a consensus on the purpose of the Black Chamber; according to one version, it is believed that the building was a court of justice. The trial was carried out by the khan and a council of three judges, and they each entered the court building through their own door, located according to the cardinal directions. Khan always entered the building from the west side. You can notice a sharp contrast in the design of the room: the high, light, domed hall on the second floor, decorated with stucco decoration, is contrasted with the gloomy, windowless room on the first floor. This difference in design speaks in favor of the version of the trial: the first floor could well have been used for the temporary detention of defendants, and the richly decorated second floor is quite suitable for a courtroom.

Black Chamber

However, some scientists believe that the building could have been a mosque or madrasah (Muslim educational institution), and some even believe that the Black Chamber was a khanqah with cells. In the countries of the East, khanakas appeared in the early Middle Ages and served as a gathering place and temporary residence for wandering dervishes. Basically, the plan of the khanaka building consisted of a main room - a spacious prayer hall, around which living rooms-cells for pilgrims were located. The khanqah is also entered through four doors, symbolizing the four interpretations of Islam.

The Black Chamber had extensions and a bypass gallery with stairs going up to the second floor. Archaeological excavations in recent years have established that around the Black Chamber there are the foundations of seven more buildings, that is, it was once one of the buildings of an entire architectural complex. The good preservation of the Black Chamber led to the fact that in the 70s of the 19th century the Society of Archeology, History and Ethnography of Kazan University established a museum of antiquities in the building. In 1884-1926, the building of the Black Chamber was restored with red brick, which somewhat disturbed the historical appearance of the building. Therefore, in 1976, when carrying out restoration work, much attention was paid to restoring the walls, opening the openings from late sealing, as well as cleaning the walls from late whitewash layers. The architectural stucco details of the interior and the staircase that connected the levels of the two tiers were restored.

White Chamber

The ruins of the 14th century White Chamber or bathhouse are located south of the Black Chamber. In the East, since ancient times, the bathhouse has been the most important household item, ensuring the achievement of cleanliness and neatness, as one of the main virtues sanctified by religion and customs. The white chamber consisted of a dressing room, rooms with cold water or a swimming pool and warm water for washing, as well as utility rooms. According to tradition, the bathhouse was divided into two halves - male and female. Along with common areas, the bathhouse also had separate rooms for noble guests - with baths and fountains. Often in those days, baths were a place for relaxation, conversations and even performances by speakers, actors and singers. Public and political meetings were held here, thereby shaping public opinion and the political mood of the people. For women, baths were often the only “outlet” - a place where they could see each other and spend time without interference. Renting bathhouses for the whole day, they organized unique holidays here - they sang, danced, and discussed pressing problems.

White Chamber

Small minaret

The minaret building is located 500 meters south of the Cathedral Mosque complex. The Small Minaret was built in the second half of the 14th century, architecturally repeating the building of the Great Minaret of the Cathedral Mosque. The small minaret was an integral part of the tombs, cemetery, and memorial mosque located around it. The minaret building is made in the form of a massive 11-12 meter pillar, the lower base in the form of a cube, with the help of flat triangular bevels, smoothly passes into an intermediate octagonal tier, decorated with palmettes with six petals and connected to the round base of a high cylindrical trunk. A spiral staircase of 40 steps rises to the upper platform. There are several windows in the minaret, which are located at different levels, and on the western side at the entrance level there is a niche, which is crowned with a pointed arch and two richly ornamented slabs. Researchers believe that the niche may have served as a place for collecting offerings. In the early 70s of the twentieth century, the Small Minaret was restored and restored. The found elements were installed in their places, the internal spiral staircase and the entire cladding of the building were repaired.

Small minaret

Khan's tomb

The tomb building was built at the beginning of the 14th century and is located on the territory of a former cemetery, north of the Small Minaret. The northern and western walls of the tomb have been preserved almost to their full height, and the building was reconstructed along them. The tomb is a square mausoleum with an entrance decorated with an arched portal. Inside the building, 8 burials were found in tabout boxes; there were no belongings or jewelry with the deceased, according to the customs of Muslim burial rites.

Khan's tomb

Small town

Right next to the line of city fortifications, south of the Black Chamber, adjacent to the rampart, is the Small Town. It is a small territory, stretching from north to south and fenced by a low rampart and a shallow ditch. On the territory of the town there is a rectangular square with stone buildings, which is also fenced with a moat and rampart. The small town was built in the 13th-14th centuries and performed fortification defensive functions.

Small town

Along with the construction of a line of city fortifications that took place at the beginning of the 14th century, the fort joined the system of military engineering structures of the Bolgars, which was supposed to cover and control the main southern gate of the city. In the history of architectural structures, entrance gates are well known in the cities of Rus' of the pre-Mongol period - there were such fortifications in Kyiv (Golden and Sophia Gates) and in Vladimir. But the construction equipment of Maly Gorodok has a number of features that distinguish it from the architectural monuments of the 13-14th centuries.

Sights of Bulgar

Photo from the website - foto-planeta.com
On the territory of the museum-reserve there are unique attractions that reveal the cultural characteristics of Tatarstan. The thousand-year-old cultural landscape of the settlement has been preserved unchanged. Since the pre-Mongol period, the Jerusalem ravine has remained untouched. Built in the 18th century. a small village on the site of the ancient settlement has preserved recognizable cordons to this day.

Here are some of the amazing architectural objects of the Bulgarian Museum.

Cathedral Mosque

Cathedral Mosque.
photo from the site - old.rinay.ru To demonstrate the power of the Mongolian state and the greatness of religion in the 13th century. The Cathedral Mosque was built. The beauty and size of the Muslim complex amazed foreigners sailing along the Volga. From the high towers the coastline could be seen for tens of kilometers, offering a magnificent view. Now the territory of the Cathedral Mosque has been partially restored. On religious holidays, cultural events are held here.

Great minaret

Big minaret.
Photo from the website - www.bolgar.info The entrance to the Cathedral Mosque is the Great Minaret, completely reconstructed in the last century. The tall 32-meter building consists of two tiers, with a spiral staircase rising inside. In the upper part there are tinted viewing glasses. The old minaret was destroyed by the insatiability of treasure hunters who dug under the base of the structure.

Museum of Bulgarian Civilization

Museum of Bulgarian Civilization.
Photo from the website - tonkosti.ru The museum building is organically integrated into the Volga coastline and additionally serves as a river station. The six-story complex is equipped with escalators and elevators. The galleries contain more than 1,600 items telling about the history of the state of the ancient Bulgars and the city.

Museum of Bulgarian Civilization. Photo from the site - tonkosti.ru

Archaeological finds, ancient maps, decorative panels and models show the significance of the great civilization.

Khan's tomb

Khan's tomb.
Photo from the site - lookmytrips.com The Khan's tomb is made in a classic cubic form, characteristic of Muslim architecture. The top of the medieval mausoleum is decorated with a spherical dome. The tomb housed eight ancient burials of the khan’s family. To this day, only one of the four mausoleums has survived.

Museum and exhibition complex “Adoption of Islam”

Koran Museum.
Photo from the site - hu.pinterest.com This monumental building was erected in honor of the conversion of local Bulgars to Islam. The main exhibition in the central hall is the largest printed Koran in the world. Its weight is 500 kg, and the malachite fabric of the cover is covered with a silver pattern. It is complemented by semi-precious stones, gilding and durable leather binding.

On the ground level there is a museum hall of the Koran. Many of its exhibits tell about the development of religion in the region.

Khan's Palace

Khan's Palace.
Photo from the site - irecommend.ru On the upper plateau of the ancient settlement there are the remains of a monumental rectangular structure made of stone and brick - the Khan's Palace. It was built in the 13th century and dates back to the Golden Horde period. Four pylon towers are installed at the corners of the complex, measuring 29x24 m. The entire area of ​​the archaeological excavations is well decorated and protected from above by a special roof.

Black Chamber

Black Chamber.
Photo from the site - old.rinay.ru One of the ancient surviving buildings on the territory of the settlement is the Black Chamber. The building was erected in the 14th century. and served at different periods as a place of study, a khan's court and a monastery. The building has preserved original architectural decorative elements from the period of its construction. The chamber owes its name to a fire that caused the walls to turn black.

Monument to the Sahibs

Monument to the Sahibs.
Photo from the site - gavtravel.ru Not far from the Small Minaret, a memorial dedicated to the followers of the Muslim prophet Muhammad was recently built. A monument to the sahibs was erected at the supposed burial site of one of them. These missionaries came to still pagan Bulgaria and were engaged in preaching Islam, as well as treating local residents. The only items that the sahibs had are immortalized on the monument - a turban, a simple staff and an inkwell.

Museum "Bulgarian Tea Party"

Museum "Bulgarian Tea Party".
Photo from the website - vbolgar.ru In the “Bulgarian Tea Party” museum, the main exhibits are all kinds of samovars from different eras. There are about 50 of them here. The smallest one fits in the palm of your hand and is called “Egoist”. The exhibition shows the sequence of origin and development of the region's tea culture. Here you can learn about herbal infusions (an old Russian analogue of tea) and try balmai (a dessert made from butter and honey).

Well of Gabrahman

Well of Gabrahman.
Photo from the site - wikimapia.org A little further from the main historical buildings there is an ancient well. It is impossible to accurately determine the time of its appearance. According to some legends, it was built in the 7th century, according to other legends - in the 10th century. Water from the source is considered healing, you can take it with you. There are observation platforms, rest areas and walking paths around the well.

Abdullah Alisha Museum

Abdullah Alisha Museum.
Photo from the website - vbolgar.ru An exhibition has been created in this house telling about the Tatar children's writer. Special interactive classes dedicated to Alisha’s fairy tales are organized for schoolchildren. The military journey of the famous writer is separately described.

Assumption Church

Assumption Church.
Photo from the site - kazan-holiday.ru In the 18th century. Thanks to active Russification, an Orthodox church was built on Muslim soil. The Kazan merchant Mikhlyaev allocated money for the construction. Material from ancient tombs and monuments was used during construction. Inside the church there are interesting historical exhibits.

Museum of the Nobility of Spassky District

Museum of the nobility of Spassky district.
Photo from the website - vbolgar.ru In a 19th century stone and brick estate. They set up an exhibition dedicated to the nobility. It presents original objects, household items and exhibits dating back to the times of famous families in the region:

• Musin-Pushkin;
• Molostovovs;
• Likhachev.

The house, in the old fashioned way, is divided into two parts - women's and men's. At the entrance there is a photograph of the former owners of the estate.

Museum "City on the River"

Museum "City on the River".
Photo from the website - vbolgar.ru The exhibits of the “City on the River” museum will tell about the difficult and dramatic life of the Volga Bulgars on the river banks. The history of land development on the floodplain of the left bank of the Volga at the confluence with the Kama is shown. On the old steamship, turned into a museum exhibit, dozens of fishing devices, exhibits and hooks are on display.

Story

The bulk of the population of the state in the Middle Volga region and the Kama basin were Turkic-speaking nomads. Fertile lands with rivers and forests full of game contributed to a sedentary lifestyle, so the tribes took up farming and animal husbandry, handicraft production, leatherworking, trading, hunting and fishing. The products of local artisans became famous throughout the world: for example, the best types of leather were called Bulgarian.

After the Kiev prince Svyatoslav defeated the Khazar Khaganate, to which the Bulgars were subordinate, the Volga trade route began to flourish.

Bulgaria was the first to face the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol hordes. In 1236, Bulgar was completely destroyed by Batu. Genghis Khan's grandson Berke, who converted to Islam as the first Mongol ruler, restored the city in the second half of the 13th century. There was brisk trade with the countries of Western Europe, Asia Minor, Persia, Egypt, India, and China.

The city of Bulgar, where the headquarters of Batu Khan and the Ulus of Jochi (Golden Horde) were located, had an unusually developed infrastructure for the Middle Ages. Water supply and sewerage worked, brick and stone buildings were built.

In the areas of artisans and traders there were extensive markets and warehouses. In the middle of the 13th century, the minting of the first Golden Horde coins began here. Uzbek Khan (1312–1341) made Islam the state religion.

However, the period of prosperity did not last long. At the end of the 14th century, the city, famous throughout Eurasia, was burned to the ground by Tamerlane, and in 1431 it was finally destroyed by Fyodor Motley, the governor of Moscow Prince Vasily the Dark. Residents left these places forever. When Rus' threw off the Tatar-Mongol yoke, the southern lands passed to Moscow, and the Kazan Khanate was formed in the Northern Volga region with a new ethnic group of Tatars.

In 1712, an Orthodox church was erected on the site of the ancient settlement, and then a monastery appeared.

In 1722, Peter I visited the Muslim ruins and issued a special decree on “preserving the monument.”

Russian scientists went to Bolgar to compile an inventory and sketches of surviving structures and artifacts.

The abandoned city became the quintessence of Tatar history, preserving unique evidence of the life and traditions of urban planning of two disappeared civilizations - Volga Bulgaria and the Golden Horde. Bulgar in Tatarstan is also a place of pilgrimage for Muslims of the Volga region - the “small hajj” to Northern Mecca. A “Memorial sign in honor of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars in 922” was installed here.

Excursions to Bulgar

Photo from the website - travel-russia.livejournal.com
A trip to the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve is one of the popular outing tours from Kazan. Tourists go on a tour by bus in comfortable conditions, accompanied by a virtuoso guide. During the trip, everyone will learn a lot of interesting things about the origin of Volga Bulgaria and the history of this region.

For those who do not want to book an excursion, you can go on a trip on your own:

• by car;
• by regular bus from Kazan;
• by water on the motor ship "Meteor".

Photo from the website - personalguide.ru
It is important to know that an additional fee is charged for visiting some objects on the territory of Bulgar. You will also have to pay extra for photo and video shooting in the museum halls. There are also paid services such as:

• camping;
• golf car rental;
• bicycles for rent;
• luggage storage.

More detailed information can be found on the official website of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve - vbolgar.ru.

Museum exhibits

The museum collections of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve currently contain more than 102 thousand exhibits, including objects of archaeology, numismatics, painting, sculpture, graphics, ethnographic objects, archival documents and photographs, objects of applied art, etc. Some exhibits found on the territory of the museum-reserve, transferred to the State Historical Museum of Moscow, the State Hermitage, the State United Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan and even the National Museum of Finland in Helsinki.

Museum exhibits

The Bulgarian Museum-Reserve houses quite valuable archaeological collections, such as the Comintern treasure, the Kozhaevsky treasure and a collection of monumental epigraphy from the 13th-15th centuries. The Comintern treasure was discovered by accident in 1983 near the left tributary of the Kama River. The treasure items date back to the 12th-first half of the 13th century and represent a set of burial goods from a rich burial of the period of the Turkic Khaganates. This collection contains 102 objects made of gold, silver, bronze and iron.

Museum exhibit

The Kozhaevsky treasure was discovered in 1988 during a study of a Bulgar village located near the village of Kozhaevka. Researchers date the treasure to the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The collection is small, but interesting. Visitors can see a massive woven silver hryvnia, six silver rings that were strung on the hryvnia, and two gold temple pendants that were inside the hryvnia ring.

Kozhaevsky treasure

The collection of monumental epigraphy arose as a result of restoration work on the territory of the museum-reserve in the second half of the 60s of the twentieth century. Researchers have studied in detail the shape, ornamentation, font, languages, text structure, manufacturing techniques and methods of installation of epitaphic monuments. The largest and best exhibits of the collection are presented in the Northern Mausoleum.

During archaeological work over the years on the territory of the museum-reserve and its surroundings, 17 treasures were discovered and placed in the museum collections, which included about two thousand coins from various historical periods. The most interesting exhibits of the numismatic collection of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve are: a coin from Olbia, 3rd century BC; Late Roman coin, 364-375 AD; Chinese coin of the Song Dynasty, early 12th century; Greek coin of the Principate of Achaia, second half of the 13th century; Egyptian-Syrian Ayyubid coin, late 12th century; German coin of Otto I, early 11th century. The discovered exhibits testify to the high level of crafts and extensive trade relations of the Volga-Kama Bulgaria.

The museum-reserve includes a number of interesting architectural monuments that make this territory a particularly valuable object of cultural and historical heritage of all-Russian significance.

How to get there?

Photo from the site - pilothub.ru
Bulgar is located in the Spassky district, at a distance of less than 200 km from the capital of Tatarstan. The city stands on the very bank of the deep Volga. The easiest way to get there is by flying or arriving in Kazan. There are daily bus services from the capital's southern bus station. In summer, tourist ships and high-speed “Meteora” moor at the Bulgar river station.

Temples and mosques of Bulgar

Iconic landmarks are probably the most interesting places that city visitors visit here.

White Mosque

• GPS coordinates: 54.965894, 49.061226.

In the ancient city of Bulgar, which preserved a considerable architectural heritage of Islamic civilization, the most famous and majestic Muslim religious monument was the mosque, built in the new Russia. The year 2012 was marked by the birth of the “Northern Taj Mahal”. This is the nickname for the White Mosque, which has become one of the symbols of the city.

The object is often depicted on postcards and photographs of the city of Bulgar. The comparison with the Indian structure, which was included in the list of “new wonders of the world”, is not accidental. There really is a similarity in appearance, obvious even to those who have seen both objects only in paintings.

The initiator of the construction of such a large-scale and vibrant attraction was the first head of the Republic of Tatarstan - President M.Sh. Shaimiev. The White Mosque is one of the results of the “Renaissance” program aimed at preserving and developing the city of Bulgar.

In addition to the mosque itself, the complex includes a prayer part and a residence for the leaders of the Islamic clergy. Today, the new mosque in Bolgar is one of the main Islamic temples in the country, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims from all over Russia.

Cathedral Mosque and Great Minaret

• Address: Nazarov Street.

In the immediate vicinity of the place where the Orthodox Church flaunts, there was once the main religious building - the cathedral mosque, and next to it - a large minaret. We can still see the characteristic “Muslim” tower near the Christian cathedral today. The object, lost back in the 19th century, was restored at the turn of the millennium - in 2000.

Initially, both objects - the mosque and the minaret were erected in the 13th century. Archaeologists date the construction of the Islamic temple to the 1260s.

It was a rectangular building with arches and tetrahedral columns. Today, only a reminder of the majestic structure remains - fragments of the foundation, columns and interior decoration have been preserved, the floor masonry has partially remained historical, and has been partially restored. The site where the mosque stood continues to attract Islamic pilgrims. Prayers are held here.

Museum of the History of the Assumption Church

• Address: Nazarov Street.

The historical part of Bulgar is notable not only for its Islamic monuments. The Tatar lands are a meeting place of two religions; their proximity is reflected in the appearance of the Bolgar settlement.

The Orthodox Church, rising among the ruins of Islamic monuments, immediately catches the eye. It reminds us that in the 18th century, when the Tatar lands had been part of Russia for several centuries, the Assumption Monastery existed in the very heart of the former Bulgarian capital. It was ordered to be founded by Peter I after he visited this area in 1722.

It is noteworthy that, according to the royal order, the monastery was created with the aim of “preserving the heritage of Bulgarian civilization.” A number of buildings that survived from the Bulgarian period were used by monks, and in the 1730s the main temple was erected - the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its construction was sponsored by the merchant Ivan Mikhalev.

The monastery did not last long. Already in 1763 it was abolished. The church became a parish. During Soviet times it did not function, and after the establishment of the museum-reserve it was transferred to its jurisdiction.

Relatively recently, it was decided to organize a museum exhibition in the church building, telling not only about the monastery and the church, but also about the fate of the Orthodox religion in the lands of the Volga Bulgars as a whole. Thus, when visiting the Settlement, you can not only see religious buildings of two religions standing side by side, but also learn the history of each of them.

St. Abraham's Church

• Address: st. Likhacheva, 144.

The current Orthodox church in Bolgar was consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Abraham. His relics are kept here and are considered the main shrine. There is a spring with healing water nearby.

The graceful church with silver domes and lancet windows has stood in its current location since 1988, but its history began about a century earlier. At the end of the 19th century, it was built on their own by residents of the village of Porfirovka, which was located in the Spassky district near the city of Bulgar. The historical events of the turbulent 20th century turned out to be disastrous for the village; it died out, but the temple remained.

For the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus', it was decided to move the church to Bolgar. Now this is one of the most famous Orthodox churches not only in the Spassky region, but throughout Tatarstan.

Where to stay?

Hotel Regina, Bolgar
The small town does not have five-star apartments, but this is not required. The Regina Hotel is considered the most comfortable, with rooms of three classes and a stylish interior. Visitors are well received at the suburban hotel "Medvedeff", guest houses "Chingis Khan" and "Lesnaya Byl". Guests are always welcome at the Lilies of the Valley Hotel and the Rezalit Hotel. Tourists can also contact local real estate agencies to select private daily housing.

Photo from the site - tripguide.ru

The museum-reserve will help you study the cultural characteristics of ancient Bulgaria and immerse yourself in its history. It is better to set aside a few days to get acquainted with all the sights. Visitors will long remember the amazing aura of ancient buildings and the friendliness of the local residents.

Tickets and opening hours

A single entrance ticket for an adult visitor will cost 600 rubles; there are discounts for students, pensioners and schoolchildren. A trip to the museum will cost them half as much - 300 rubles.

The museum is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00, without lunch and weekends. Museum Street is open from 9:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays.

Natural attractions of the city and surrounding area

Reserves, zoos, lakes and parks – these are the beauties of nature that Bolgar and its surroundings are famous for.

Camel farm "Laidoya"

• Address: st. Kul Gali, 9.

For most Russians, a camel is an exotic animal, so visiting the Laidoya farm, where camels are kept, is interesting for both adults and children. The farm appeared in Veliky Bolgar in 2013. Camels of the Bactrian genus are kept here.

Visitors to the farm can not only enjoy the contemplation of these amazing animals, but also feed or groom the camels, ride them, take pictures with the animals, and, moreover, in a costume from the era of the Ancient Bulgars.

On the farm territory there is a souvenir shop that offers products made from camel hair. At the farm you can taste what camel milk tastes like.

Captain's Well, or Gabdrakhman's Well

• Coordinates: 54.988445, 49.070347.

On the territory of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve there is a holy spring, which has two names - the well of Gabdrakhman or the Captain's well. This is one of the most important Muslim shrines in the city.

According to legend, it is located in the place where one of the messengers of the Prophet Muhammad, Gabdrakhman, stuck his staff. This is the story of the first title. Another name refers us to the pages of study and description of the source, which were carried out in the 18th century by the geographer scientist, captain Nikolai Petrovich Rychkov.

There is a rotunda above the source, and around it there is a natural park - an excellent place for walks and relaxation. Therefore, the holy spring is not only a cult, but also a natural attraction.

Lake Rabiga-Kul (Mochilishch)

• Coordinates: 54.978470, 49.013399.

One of the most picturesque places is located on the outskirts of the city. This is Lake Rabiga-Kul, or Rabigi (Tatar name), or Mochilishche (Russian name). The lake has sacred significance and is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims. The waters there are considered sacred.

According to legend, the lake appeared after the Bulgarian khan mourned his daughter, who was accidentally killed by him. Where his tears flowed, a lake appeared. Its waters are considered the cleanest. According to scientific theory, the lake arose as a result of a meteorite falling into the resulting crater, which is confirmed by its round shape.

Park "Dolgaya Polyana"

• Coordinates: 55.049246, 48.941019.

In 2000, the historical and architectural natural park “Dolgaya Polyana” was created in the Republic of Tatarstan. This is a protected area on the banks of the Volga River, combining the Molostvov estate, a village and a natural park with a large number of plants listed in the Red Book. In the park, visitors are attracted by an anomalous zone where the operation of clocks and cameras is disrupted. It is located in two large clearings on the descent to the Volga, where a person feels good and calm.

Spassky Nature Reserve

• GPS coordinates: 54.948952, 48.981851.

The complex nature reserve “Spassky” is located on 60 islands of the Kuibyshev Reservoir. It is the largest of 11 reserves and protected areas in Tatarstan. It was named in honor of the once-existing district town of Spassk. In the island system of the reserve, the forest animals, birds, fish and reptiles inhabiting it are protected and studied.

Archaeological and historical sites have been preserved on the territory of this natural attraction. For example, on the island of Old Town there are the remains of the Spasskaya prison. The reserve is actively working with schoolchildren, and excursions are held for tourists.

Don't miss the sights of other cities of the Republic of Tatarstan - Kazan, Bugulma, Yelabuga, Sviyazhsk, Zelenodolsk, Almetyevsk, Chistopol, Naberezhnye Chelny

In the city of Bolgar, or Bulgar, an amazing historical journey awaits every tourist. What is listed in this article is by no means an exhaustive list of attractions that can be found in the settlement. Different eras, different cultures and the indescribable flavor of Tatarstan are intertwined in the monuments and museums of this amazing Russian city.

Team Nomads

The Bulgarian Museum-Reserve is an object of historical and cultural heritage of federal (all-Russian) significance and a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the Republic of Tatarstan. In 1998, the Bulgarian Historical and Architectural Complex was included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage for the Russian Federation (Waiting List). The security zone for the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was established within the Bolgar settlement and 50 m from the ancient rampart, including the ruins of the “Small Town” and the “Greek Chamber” (area 415 hectares) by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the TASSR dated November 7, 1969 No. 548 “On approval of security zones and development regulation zones for architectural monuments in the TASSR.”

Bulgarian Museum-Reserve

The Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was created on the basis of the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the TASSR dated April 14, 1969 No. 222 “On the opening in the Tatar ASSR on the basis of the Bolgar settlement of a state historical and architectural reserve” in pursuance of the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR dated February 9, 1968 No. 77 “On the practice of leading the Council of Ministers of the TASSR in cultural construction in the republic.”

The Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve is a research and educational institution that studies, protects and promotes historical and cultural monuments located on its territory. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan. Its activities are financed from the republican budget of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Makhmutov Rafail Zufarovich has been the director of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve since 2000. Actively promoting historical and archaeological monuments, he takes part in many scientific meetings and conferences. Over the years of his leadership, restoration work was carried out on the Black Chamber, Small Minaret, and White Chamber. The building of the Museum of Archeology (Church of the Assumption) has been thoroughly renovated. Numerous exhibitions are held, including exhibitions in various regions of Russia.

AK PULAT – WHITE CHAMBER – BULGAR

Composition of the museum-reserve Bolgar settlement of the X-XV centuries. The Bolgar settlement adjoins the city of Bolgar from the east and occupies the edge of the indigenous Volga terrace about 30 m high. From the west, east and south, the settlement is surrounded by an earthen rampart up to 5 m high in places (called “Big” in the 18th century) and a ditch up to 2 m deep The length of the fortifications is 5.63 km. They are limited to an area of ​​380 hectares. There are ancient passages on all sides of the fortifications. The shape of the fort is sub-triangular and its “top” rests towards the south, where an additional fortification is located near the passage - the “Small Town”. In the north, the “Big” shaft and ditch abut the slope of the terrace. The northeastern part of the settlement is occupied by ravines: the Greater and the Lesser Jerusalem, forming three capes at the edge of the terrace. The western one, formed by the Great Jerusalem Ravine and the edge of the terrace, with steep cliffs and several spurs of the ravine to the west, was the site of the original Bolgar.

CENTRAL COMPLEX OF THE ANCIENT BULGARS

The cultural layer of the Bolgar settlement includes seven layers from the time preceding the emergence of the city to the present. I - layer of life in a modern village of the 20th century. II - layer of the period of Russian history of the late XVI-XIX centuries. III - layer of the time of the Kazan Khanate of the mid-15th-16th centuries. IV - layer of the Golden Horde period of the city's history in the second half of the 13th - early 15th centuries. This layer is subdivided into layers IVp - late Golden Horde of the middle of the 14th - early 15th centuries. - and IVр - early Golden Horde of the mid-XIII-early XIV centuries. Layers V-VI of the pre-Mongol period of the city's history, with layer V dating back to the second half of the period, and the beginning of its formation - the 11th century, layer VI - to the first half of the period, at the turn of the 9th-10th and part of the 11th centuries. VII - layer of pre-Bulgarian settlements of the mid-2nd half of the 1st millennium. The stratigraphic scale is associated with the periodization of the history of Volga Bulgaria and East European medieval history in general. The materials and layers of the Bolgar settlement reflect all the features of the culture and composition of the population of Volga Bulgaria and the Golden Horde, their political history.

BULGAR ARCHITECTURE Architectural structures (mid-XIII-XVIII centuries) - Cathedral Mosque ("Quadrangle") - the first and only surviving religious architectural structure of the early Golden Horde period (the main capital mosque of the Bulgarian ulus of the Golden Horde), Northern Mausoleum ("Monastery Cellar"), Eastern mausoleum (“Church of St. Nicholas”), Red Chamber, Eastern Chamber (“Khan’s Chambers or Bath”), Black Chamber, White Chamber, Small Minaret, Khan’s Tomb, Southern and Northern buildings of the “Small Town”, stone building with a pond, mausoleums, Church of the Assumption. Currently, about 100 architectural structures have been identified on the territory of the Bolgar settlement.

The Suvar settlement (X-XIV centuries) is a cultural layer of one of the largest cities of Volga-Kama Bulgaria, the center of an independent principality, and later the surrounding area - the city of Suvar, within the fortifications in the form of a rampart and a ditch with a length of about 4.5 km. The city, widely known in the X-XIII centuries. throughout the Eastern world, almost from the moment of its emergence at the beginning of the 10th century. (920s) became the object of attention of travelers and merchants interested in expanding trade with the Bulgars. In the center of the settlement there are remains of a brick building and associated structures. Located 4 km southwest of the center of the village. Blacksmith.

Armenian colony (XIII-XIV centuries) - a cultural layer of an Armenian settlement with a Christian (Armenian) cemetery and the remains of a Christian temple of the 14th century. The colony was founded by Armenians who fled the Mongol invasion of the 1220-1230s, located to the west, directly behind the ramparts of the Bolgar settlement. Currently, a regional grain receiving enterprise is located on the territory of the Armenian colony, and the temple building is hidden by soil and vegetation.

MOMENTARY SIGN IN HONOR OF THE ADOPTION OF ISLAM IN THE ANCIENT BULGAR

Tankeyevsky burial ground (IX-X centuries) is a complex of pagan burials left by one of the ethnic groups of the population of early Volga-Kama Bulgaria during the period of its formation. The monument is one of the largest in Eastern Europe and key in highlighting the most important issues in the history of early Volga Bulgaria, such as the time of the emergence of a new political entity in the Middle Volga region, the formation of a common Bulgarian culture as a result of the interaction of multicultural components, the nature and time of the appearance of Muslim rituals, etc. The burial ground is located 1 km southeast of the village of Tankeyevka.

Other archaeological sites, as well as the natural landscape - Rabiga kul (Lake Mochilishe), Tuibike koes (well of St. Abraham), Gabdrakhman Sahaba koes (Captain's well). The architectural objects of the reserve are the world's northernmost monument of medieval Muslim architecture, a unique and only example of Bulgaro-Tatar architecture of the mid-13th-14th centuries. They have no analogues in the world as a valuable historical monument, testifying to the disappeared states (Volga Bulgaria, Golden Horde), disappeared culture, way of life and as having a significant influence during the X-XV centuries. for the development of culture and architecture. The cultural landscape has been preserved unchanged for thousands of years. The Jerusalem ravine has existed since pre-Mongol times. The Bulgarian settlement retains its borders and defensive structures in the form of a rampart and a moat to this day. The boundaries of the village, founded in the 18th century, remain unchanged.

FOUNDATIONS OF THE BULGAR RESERVE The funds of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve include objects of archaeology, numismatics, ethnography, painting, sculpture, applied art, photographs, documents. The number of exhibits in the main fund as of January 1, 2011 is more than 102 thousand items, including archeological items - more than 65 thousand, numismatic items - more than 14 thousand, ethnographic items - 1.5 thousand, applied art items - more than 100, paintings - more than 140, graphics - more than 250, sculpture - 13, documents - more than 19 thousand and others. Some of the finds from the territory of the reserve are stored in the State Historical Museum (Moscow), the State Hermitage (St. Petersburg), the State United Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan (Kazan), and the National Museum of Finland (Helsinki).

A brief history of the formation of museum collections of the BGIAMZ. Before organization on July 1, 1969 The Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve exhibits transferred in 1961 by the State Museum of the TASSR (now the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan) from the collections of A.F. Likhachev and the Society of Archeology, History and Ethnography at Kazan University, selected largely arbitrarily, and originating mainly from pre-revolutionary excavations and collections, both at the Bolgar settlement and at other Bulgarian monuments, sometimes very distant from Bolgar (Bilyar, Suvar, Chistopol district, etc.) were stored in the regional local history museum of the city of Kuibyshev (now the city of Bolgar). Later, when in 1985 the exhibits of the local history museum became part of the funds of the museum-reserve, this collection was included in the accounting documentation under No. BGIAZ-75.

In the same 1969, for the first time, the materials of this season’s archaeological excavations at the Bolgar settlement under the leadership of A.P. Smirnov were transferred directly to the newly created Bolgar Museum-Reserve, and from that time on, every year the excavation materials were received by the BGIAMZ. Field materials were handed over for permanent storage personally by the head of the Volga archaeological expedition A.P. Smirnov, the heads of the Bulgarian expedition T.A. Khlebnikova and R.F. Sharifullin, the heads of individual excavations M.G. Kramarovsky, V.I. Ledyaykin, L.A. Belyaev, L.A. Savchenkova, A.M. Gubaidullin, I.R. Gazimzyanov and others. Along with archaeological materials, documentary materials were also transferred: field diaries, drawings, drawings, photographs and negatives, inventories of finds, etc. 1970s Deputy Director of BGIAMZ for Science N.D. Aksenova ordered copies of reports on excavations at the Bolgar settlement since 1938, stored in the State Historical Museum in Moscow, as well as copies of albums-reports of excavations of 1964–1969, stored in the Ministry culture of the TASSR. In the 1970-1990s. BGIAMZ participated in archaeological research of the Bulgarian cities of Bilyar, Suvar, Dzhuketau, Kozhaevsky complex (the latter was studied by M.M. Kaveev) and, naturally, excavation materials and copies of excavation reports entered the funds of the museum-reserve. The Bulgarian Museum-Reserve also organized regular exploration work on decaying monuments in the area of ​​the Kuibyshev Reservoir, and systematically collected material from the Bolgar settlement. A significant amount of archaeological excavation material was discovered during exploration work in Western Trans-Kama in 2000–2004. (author D.G. Mukhametshin).

POTTER IN ANCIENT BULGAR

The museum-reserve actively worked with the population, acquiring individual archaeological objects, coins, etc. through the stock-purchase commission. Among the most interesting acquisitions is the Comintern treasure (a complex of burial goods from a rich burial mound from the era of the First Turkic Kaganate).

The collection of epigraphic monuments and architectural details was formed in the 1970s. and was constantly replenished. Several stones were in the Kuibyshev Regional Museum of Local Lore and entered the funds of the museum-reserve during the annexation of the regional museum to the reserve. Some of the epitaphs were discovered during archaeological excavations, some come from the Black Chamber and the Eastern Mausoleum (pre-revolutionary collection at the Black Chamber Museum). However, the bulk of the collection consists of stones discovered during the restoration of the Church of the Assumption. The first stones were removed from the walls of the church in the late 1970s, the last arrival dates back to 2003. There were isolated finds of tombstones and architectural details from other areas of the Bolgar settlement. The numismatic collection was formed mainly from coins discovered during excavations and collections from the territory of the Bolgar settlement, as well as from the Bolgar area and along the banks of the Kuibyshev reservoir. There are individual finds from the territory of Western Trans-Kama within Tatarstan, from the Staromainsky district of the Ulyanovsk region and from other places. The attribution of the coins was carried out by S.A. Yanina, G.A. Fedorov-Davydov, D.G. Mukhametshin.

Most of the collection of local history (household items, ethnography, documents, photographs, orders, medals, personal belongings of participants in the Great Patriotic War and home front workers) was collected before the 1980s. local historians under the leadership of O.I. Monstakova, and then - until the late 1990s - early 2000s. – head of the Kuibyshev Museum of Local Lore (later – head of the department of BGIAMZ) G.G. Baranova. These materials were completely transferred to the BGIAMZ funds. Some finds were identified and taken for storage by employees of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve. The collection of Arabographic early printed and handwritten books of the museum-reserve also began to take shape in the 1980s. Individual manuscripts and printed books were acquired by D.G. Mukhametshin in the Bugulminsky, Sarmanovsky, Baltasinsky, Arsky and Spassky regions of the Republic of Tatarstan. Since 1995, the manuscript and printed book collection has been replenished mainly through the efforts of an amateur archaeographer from Ulyanovsk, Vagiz Nurislamovich Mukhtarov. In 1995-2005 during a visit to the Nurlatsky, Buinsky, Tetyushsky, Apastovsky, Drozhzhanovsky districts of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the Melekessky and Starokulatinsky districts of the Ulyanovsk region and the Kamyshlinsky district of the Samara region, they collected and transferred to the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve a large number of manuscripts, letters and documents of various nature. Thus, the funds of the BGIAMZ have accumulated a fairly large collection of books in oriental languages ​​of the second half of the 17th-19th centuries. The vast majority of them are handwritten books in Arabic, Persian, and Tatar. This includes fiction, works on Arabic grammar, logic, ethics, historical literature, works of a religious nature and works of Tatar educators of the 18th-20th centuries. As they were received, the processing of manuscripts and their preliminary study were carried out by D.G. Mukhametshin and R.M. Minsagirova.

In the 1980s, a collection of works of art began to form in the Bolgar Museum-Reserve, thematically related to Bolgar - copies of paintings and engravings by pre-revolutionary authors, drawings by artists who participated in the Kuibyshev and Volga archaeological expeditions under the leadership of A.P. Smirnov - D.I. Arkhangelsky , N.O. Freiman. During these same years, through the stock purchasing commission or as gifts, the BGIAMZ funds received authentic works by artists of Tatarstan. These include works by B. Urmanche, E. Zaripov, S. O. Lyvin, R. A. Gusmanov, F. Khalikov, A. M. Rodionov, N. Adylov, Khamza and many others. Replenishment of BGIAMZ funds continues. And today, according to the long-term plan for the formation of funds, the main revenues are related to the archaeological research of the Bolgar settlement and its surroundings.

KARA PULAT – BLACK CHAMBER

VALUABLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS AND TREASURES Comintern treasure, discovered by chance in the summer of 1983 on the island of Beganchik opposite the village. Comintern Spassky district, near the mouth of the river. Aktai, the left tributary of the Kama River. The treasure dates back to the 7th – first half of the 8th centuries. and is, apparently, a set of funerary goods from a rich burial of the era of the Turkic Khagat. There are a total of 102 items in the collection, including: gold, silver, bronze, and iron items.

Kozhaevsky treasure, discovered in 1988 during the research of M.M. Kaveev of the Bulgarian Kozhaevsky IV settlement, located near the village. Kozhaevka, Spassky district of the Republic of Tatarstan, on the cape of the main terrace of the river. Aktai, the left tributary of the Kama River. The treasure includes 9 items: a massive woven silver hryvnia, six rings of the same metal that were strung on the hryvnia, and two gold temple pendants that were inside the hryvnia ring. Based on stratigraphy and material material, the treasure was dated by the researcher to the end of the 11th – beginning of the 12th centuries.

Collection of monumental epigraphy of the XIII-XV centuries. It is especially valuable and original; its acquisition began with archaeological, architectural and restoration work on the territory of the Bolgar settlement in 1964-1969. All epitaphs are dated, attributed, published several times and arouse genuine interest among visitors to the exhibition of the Northern Mausoleum, where the largest and best exhibits of the collection are presented. Researchers have studied in detail the form, ornamentation, font, language, text structure, handwriting, manufacturing techniques, and methods of installing epigraphic monuments. The collection also includes blanks for epitaphs, which proves the existence of a workshop for making tombstones in Bolgar. Available materials on Bulgarian epigraphy allow researchers to talk about the existence of the Bolgars’ own school of stone carving.

On the territory of the Bolgar settlement and its surroundings, 17 treasures were discovered and stored in the museum-reserve, including about 2 thousand coins from various historical periods. The earliest treasure comes from the Suvar settlement and was discovered during excavations led by T.A. Khlebnikova in 1974. The coins are attributed, in their composition they are silver dirhams of the Samanid, Buwayhid, Ziyarid dynasty (in the amount of 21 coins).

In 2001, during the work of the expedition of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve, small in number, but historically valuable coins of the 10th century of the Samanid dynasty and the so-called fels were discovered. The treasures come from the Bolgar settlement (II sector, 17 silver coins) and from the village. Kokryat Spassky district of the Republic of Tatarstan (9 coins, 6 of which are silver). Particularly famous is the so-called “Treasure in a Jar,” discovered during excavations at the Bolgar settlement in 1980 at excavation site LXXXIII, under the direction of M.D. Poluboyarinova. The treasure includes 121 silver coins of the 13th century, minted in Bolgar-al-Makhrusa, with the name Mengu-Temir and anonymous coins with the tamga of the house of Batu.

NORTHERN MAUSOLEUM IN ANCIENT BULGAR

Also, Golden Horde coins contain treasures from excavation XV at the Bolgar settlement (1972) under the leadership of A.P. Smirnov (23 coins, 22 of which are silver), a treasure from the Bolgar settlement (1984) - 65 copper coins, a treasure with so called the Captain's Well (1995) - 9 copper coins, from the estate of Terekhin, a resident of the village. Bulgarians (1993) – 15 silver coins, coins from the CVII excavation (1990) – 22 silver coins. In addition, treasures are known that originate from the area around the Bolgar settlement, also including Jochid coins. This is a treasure of coins from the Maklasheyevsky settlement (1986) - 20 coins, 1 of them silver, and a treasure from the village of Novo-Mordovo, Spassky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. Treasures of Jochid coins from the collections of the Bulgarian Museum-Reserve attract the attention of numismatist researchers. Some of the treasures have been published in numismatic collections. The coins from the treasures described above characterize the monetary circulation of Volga Bulgaria.

Particularly interesting unique coins in the numismatic collection of the museum-reserve are: •coin, Olbia, 3rd century. BC.; •coin of Otto I, Germany, early 11th century; •coin of the Principate of Achaia, Greece, second half of the 13th century; •late Roman coin, 364-375; •Ayubid coin, Egypt-Syria, late 12th century. (1169-1186); •coin of the Song Dynasty, China, early 12th century.

SHAFT AND DIT OF THE BULGARIAN FORTELOGY

New arrivals 2010 Particularly valuable items received in 2010 are archaeological objects discovered during archaeological excavations on the territory of the Bolgar settlement. A unique treasure of the 14th century, consisting of 7 gold objects and three copper vessels, was discovered in July 2010 during archaeological security and rescue work at the construction site of the river station building. Gold items are represented by examples of jewelry: three earrings twisted from gold wire with a semi-precious stone at the end, two pendants and a ring inlaid with turquoise with an ornament on the outer edge. One of the pendants is made in the form of a three-dimensional openwork figurine of a bird using a complex filigree technique. The other one is in the form of a small acorn, also made using the filigree technique. Copper utensils, which also testify to the prosperity and even wealth of its owners, consist of two cauldrons and a large ladle. During archaeological security and rescue work at the construction site of the Memorial Sign, excellent examples of imported dishes were discovered: a Chinese celadon dish with floral patterns and an Iranian kashin vessel. During the archaeological work of this year, a large craft quarter with estate buildings, a rich residential quarter was revealed, and the discovered objects indicate a high level of development of crafts and extensive trade relations of Volga-Kama Bulgaria. In the fall of 2010, Days of Giving were held, the main goal of which was to collect material for the future exhibition of the Museum of Bread. In total, 33 objects of material culture of the late 19th - late 20th centuries were donated; the Book of Donors was replenished with 14 donors. Among them are regular participants of the Days of Giving - Baronova O.I., a resident of the city of Bolgar, a health worker at the central hospital, Zalyaitdinova H.G. - pensioner, resident of the city of Bolgar, Prokhorova A.G. - veteran of the Great Patriotic War, resident of the city of Bolgar.

This year, residents of Privolzhsky became active donors: Epifanova E.N. - widow of a participant in the Great Patriotic War, Pigaleva T.P. - housewife, Korobochkina I.P. - pensioner, Kostina Z.I. - pensioner. Interesting felt boots from the 30-40s. XX century, including woolen items of the second half of the XX century, dishes, tablecloths, valances, napkins and other household items and household utensils.

KHAN'S TOMB AND SMALL MINARET IN BULGAR

HISTORY AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH In the second half of the 17th century. under Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich (1661-1682), instructions were given to describe the ancient stone buildings and other ruins located on the territory of the Bolgar settlement. It was carried out in 1712 by clerk Andrei Mikhailov, who visited the site in connection with the founding of an Orthodox monastery on its territory. For the first time in history, he described more than 70 medieval buildings in sufficient detail. The monastery was soon built. It was built in the center of the settlement - on the site of the Khan's (prince's) courtyard and the Cathedral Mosque. The monks adapted the surviving mausoleums near the ruins of the Cathedral Mosque (“Quadrangle”) to suit their needs: one mausoleum (East) was equipped for a small temple - the “Church of St. Nicholas”, the other (North) for household needs - the “Monastery Cellar”. In 1732, the rich merchant Mikhlyaev built a stone church for the monastery “in the name of the Dormition of the Mother of God.” Since that time, monuments of two faiths - Islam and Christianity - have been located side by side. The monastery was closed in the 1770s, the monastery settlement was renamed the village of Uspenskoye, and later the village of Bolgars in honor of the ancient Bolgar. In 1722, Peter I visited the site. He gave orders to preserve the stone buildings of the ancient city, collect and translate epitaphs of gravestones with Bulgarian and Armenian inscriptions. In 1767, Empress Catherine II drew attention to the Bulgarian monuments.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. it was visited by travelers, writers, poets, journalists, military men, scientists, architects, artists, foreigners and local historians - P.S. Pallas, I.I. Lepekhin, F.I. Erdman, P.I. Svinin, N.N. Kaftannikov, M.S. Rybushkin, I.A. Vtorov, A. Schmidt, E.P. Tournerelli, I.N. Berezin, brothers N.G. and G.G. Chernetsov, I.I. Shishkin, A.K. Savrasov and many others, who left valuable descriptions, drawings, plans and drawings of buildings and ruins of the ancient city, most of which have not reached us. The IV Archaeological Congress, held in Kazan in 1877, took into account the need for long-term constant monitoring of the monuments of ancient Bolgar. In March 1878, the Society of Archeology, History and Ethnography was created at Kazan University. The further fate of Bulgarian monuments until the revolution of 1917 was closely connected with the activities of the Society.

In 1880, the Society of Archaeology, History and Ethnography was given 862 square fathoms of land occupied by Bulgarian ruins. Since 1881, a subsidy in the amount of 300 rubles was issued annually from the state treasury “for maintaining in decent condition and for protecting the ancient city of Bulgar.” In 1888, a watchman was hired to protect the monuments, and the buildings themselves were surrounded by wooden fences. A museum of Bulgarian antiquities opens in the Black Chamber. In 1884, 1885, 1889, 1896 and 1905, work was carried out to repair and maintain Bulgarian monuments. The remains of the White Chamber, the Cathedral Mosque, the pylons of the Small Town and the ruins of mausoleums at the Small Minaret, the Greek Chamber were cleared.

After the revolution of 1917, the protection of the Bulgarian ruins was transferred to the Department for Museums and the Protection of Monuments of Antiquity, Art and Nature at the Academic Center of the Tatar People's Commissariat of Education. In 1923, a plan for repair work was created, which was implemented in 1926. Work was carried out on the Small Minaret, the Khan's Tomb, the Northern and Eastern Mausoleums, the Cathedral Mosque, and the Black Chamber. This delayed the process of mechanical destruction of Bulgarian monuments for some time. In 1933, the village of Bolgari, the entire territory of the ancient city, surrounded by a rampart, was declared an “inviolable reserve.” Since the late 30s. with short interruptions, a deep, focused and systematic archaeological study of this monument is being carried out. Since 1954, the complex has been the object of systematic historical and architectural research, and since the 1960s. to the present - work on the restoration and conservation of monuments. In order to strengthen the protection of monuments, a historical and architectural museum was opened in the village of Bolgari in 1962, and in 1969 the Bolgarian historical and architectural reserve was organized. Since 1969, significant research has been carried out on the archaeological cultural layer of the Bolgar settlement, work on partial restoration, conservation, museumification and improvement of architectural monuments - the Cathedral Mosque, the Black, Eastern and White Chambers, the Khan's Tomb and the Small Minaret, the Northern and Eastern Mausoleum, the Assumption Church. The project of protection zones for the Bolgar settlement was approved and the regime for its use was established. The remains of pre-Bulgarian settlements, the oldest part of the city of pre-Bulgarian times in the north-eastern part of the complex were identified, the growth of the settlement territory was traced, residential, craft, as well as architectural and defensive structures were studied. Exhibitions of Bulgarian antiquities were created in the premises of the Assumption Church, the Northern Mausoleum, and the Khan's tomb. In 1991, the 1st stage of dredging work was completed.

__________________________________________________________________________________ SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTO: Team Nomads. https://www.bolgar.info/ https://www.bolgar-hram.info/ https://www.bulgarizdat.ru/

History and architecture of the Tatar Bolgar

Historical attractions - architectural sites, embankments, mausoleums and tombs - play a big role in the tourist life of this small city of Tatarstan.

Eastern Mausoleum

• Coordinates: 54.985431, 49.056680.

A characteristic tradition of Muslim peoples was the construction of tombs for noble persons. Several such objects can be seen on the territory of the Bulgar settlement. One of them is the so-called “Eastern Mausoleum”, which was part of the central ensemble of the ancient city of Bulgar and located east of the main mosque, which is why it got its name.

The hexagonal building with a hipped roof has survived to this day with minimal losses, having preserved its original appearance better than all other buildings in the complex. The fate of the building is also interesting. During the monastic period, the tomb of Islamic nobles had the opportunity to serve adherents of other faiths. An Orthodox church was located here, consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas.

Northern Mausoleum

• Coordinates: 54.986096, 49.056142.

It is a stone structure with a rounded dome on top and “lancet windows.” The appearance of the object was recreated as a result of reconstruction carried out in the late 1960s. From the original mausoleum, only the foundation, fragments of walls and some elements of the interior decoration and layout have been preserved.

During the monastic period, the building was used as a cellar, at which time the monks “dug up” the gravestones. Today, the tombstones of noble Bulgars are presented in an exhibition dedicated to Bulgar epigraphy and located inside the building.

Black Chamber

• Coordinates: 54.982112, 49.054125.

The architectural monument of the 14th century is one of the most fully preserved buildings. Scientists have different versions about the purpose of this building. It was assumed that a madrasah or khan's court could be located here. Why the chamber is called “black” is explained by the legend that the khan’s family took refuge in this building. The conqueror ordered to surround the building with a wooden box and set it on fire so that the family would suffocate in the fire.

A beautiful woman, the khan’s daughter, intervened in his plans; she captivated him with her beauty. She refused the proposal to marry. Then Aksak-Timur decided to force her, blackmailing her with the lives of her brothers. The frightened girl agreed, but she could not give herself to the unloved, she threw herself into the fire and died, but thereby saved her family.

White Chamber

• Coordinates: 54.979886, 49.052453.

The long-established name of the building, erected in the 14th century, reflects the desire of eastern peoples for purity. It had appropriate functionality - a bathhouse was located here. Mentions of the “White Chamber” in the city of Bolgar can be found in oriental literature, in particular in “Tales of 1001 Nights”. The historical appearance of the building was captured in their paintings by such painters as P.S. Pallas, N. G. Chernetsov. They worked in the 18th – 19th centuries.

Small minaret

• Coordinates: 54.981279, 49.061071.

At the site of Velikiy Bolgar you can see the Small Minaret, preserved from the 14th century. Its height is 10 meters. This is a stone pillar of two cylinders of different diameters with a richly decorated niche and an arched entrance; on top there is a dome with a crescent - a symbol of the Muslim faith. There is a stone staircase leading up, which gradually narrows at the top, so it is quite difficult to walk along it, but it is worth it to see the surroundings.

Khan's tomb

• Coordinates: 54.981586, 49.060975.

Near the Small Minaret you can see the ruins of four tombs. One of them is called the Khan's tomb. The peculiarity of the tomb is that there is no entrance to the cube that it represents. This is an example of mausoleums that were used in Muslim funerary culture. The historical object has been partially restored

Historical embankment

• Coordinates: 54.987012, 49.049754.

On the territory of the Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Museum, the Historical Embankment is open to the public. This is a section along the Volga River where there is an alley that introduces the biographies of prominent personalities associated with the city of Bolgar and the Khan period of history. There is also a playground with medieval games, which will be especially interesting for children.

Topic: Where to go in Kazan with children

Small town

• Coordinates: 54.966158, 49.059090.

Outside the Bulgar settlement, on its southern outskirts, there is another important attraction - the “Small Town”. This is an archaeological complex that has the shape of an irregular quadrangle and occupies an area of ​​7 hectares. Here are the entrance gates to the medieval city, as well as two towers made of stone. Today you can see fragments of the buildings. The territory of the “small town” is surrounded by a moat.

Bathhouse No. 2

• Coordinates: 54.967364, 49.059769.

Public baths are an object of everyday culture; they would not be of great interest if we were not talking about the buildings of the 14th century, erected by Muslims, for whom the baths were of particular importance.

One of these buildings - Bathhouse No. 2 - was built from rough stone of irregular shape. Its walls were up to 90 centimeters thick. The structure was discovered by archaeologists and, after restoration, placed under a glass dome as a historical landmark.

Memorial sign to the sahabahs (sahibs)

• Coordinates: 54.981134, 49.060684.

The guardian of historical heritage - the city of Bolgar - cannot boast of a variety of monumental monuments. In this category, it is worth highlighting the memorial sign located next to the Small Minaret. It is dedicated to the Sahabah.

This was the name given to the Islamic preachers who spread their faith in Bulgaria. According to legend, three preachers arrived here, and one of them lived forever, died and was buried in Bolgar.

A colorful monument now stands on the site of his supposed grave. Its central element is a stele on which a turban, a staff and a feather are carved - the attributes of the Sahabah. Above the stele rises a structure that imitates the dome of an Islamic mosque.