Bilyar

The city was founded by the Bilyar tribe and existed from the tenth to the thirteenth century. It stood on the Maly Cheremshan River in the Alexeyevsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. Historical accounts describe it as a trading city. It was enormous, with more than 100,000 inhabitants, and is considered to have been Europe's largest city in the thirteenth century before its destruction.

Between 1100 and 1236, Bilyar was the capital of Volga Bulgaria. It reached its height during this period, establishing itself as an important political and commercial centre. It is mentioned in several Arabic and Russian sources, including the accounts of the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan and twelfth-century Russian chronicles. According to some reports, it was called the Great City because of its size and regional importance.

Bilyar's architecture was impressive, with stone buildings including a large mosque and minaret, public baths and a feudal residence with underfloor heating. At this time, it covered nearly 800 hectares and was protected by strong fortifications. Excavations reveal highly developed infrastructure and active trade with Central Asia, Persia and eastern Europe.

Bilyar was destroyed in 1236, when the army of Batu Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson, besieged and captured it. According to the chronicles, the siege lasted 45 days, after which the city was burned and destroyed. This ended its role as capital and led to the decline of Volga Bulgaria.