Excursion to the Great Bolgar

Travel just 200 kilometres south of Kazan, and you will end up in the world’s most northern 13th-15th century monument of Muslim architecture. The Great Bolgar with its snow-white mosque resembling India’s Taj Mahal, picturesque ruins and majestic ancient buildings attract people from all over the world. Here, archaeologists find rapture — in the excavations, while travelers — in the acquaintance with the fascinating history of the Volga Bolgar and the Golden Horde. Here we will share why you should visit Bolgar and what to do in the city, which was visited even by Catherine the Great and Peter I. The history of Bolgar as a city began in the 9th-10th centuries, even though the first Bolgar tribes appeared here two centuries earlier. It was once the centre of the Volga Bolgar - politically, economically and culturally. Bolgar craftsmen and their goods were famous in many countries, and Bolgar merchants traded with countries of Europe and Asia. Many traders would also travel from all around the world to the city fairs – traveling from as far as China, Spain, Damascus, Baghdad and many others. After the Baghdad embassy visit to the city in 922, local residents adopted Islam as their state religion, which aided in establishing close ties with the Arab world. The main attractions of Bolgar are concentrated in its two adjacent areas: the majority - in the ancient settlement, while the famous White Mosque and a few others – can be found beyond the settlement. During the tour you will visit the ancient city of Great Bolgar, Museum of the Bulgarian Civilization, Quran Museum (Memorial Sign in honor of adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria) and will see the complex of White mosque.