On August 25, a researcher at the museum and education department I.D. Muhametshin delivered a lecture “Spassk – the flooded city” for visitors to the Bolgar Museum‑Reserve.
The audience took a historical tour: they learned how in 1781 the village of Spasskoye became a town, experienced periods of decline and prosperity, and by the early 20th century had become an important center of flour milling and trade. The guests also learned some interesting details about everyday life: for example, why the local pier “Perevoloki” constantly changed its location, and what the brick‑making industry of the Spassky uyezd was famous for.
Special attention was paid to the tragic chapter in history — the creation of the Kuibyshev Reservoir. In 1953, the relocation of residents to a new location began, 25 kilometers from the old town. The houses were dismantled piece by piece, and rebuilt on the new site.
The lecturer noted that the city’s history has not been completely lost to oblivion: a third of Spassk ended up underwater, but even today, as the waves erode the shore, you can still see the foundations of old houses and the outlines of the streets.
There were nine people present at the lecture.