On September 13, a researcher I.D. Muhametshin delivered a lecture titled “Cities of the Kazan Khanate” for visitors to the Bolgar Museum‑Reserve. During the lecture, the audience learned about the urban culture and traditions of the Kazan Khanate.
Museum guests learned how people lived and how urban culture developed during that period. Kazan was the main subject of the story — a city that in the 11th century became a new center of attraction for trade routes after the decline of Bolgar. The audience learned what the capital of the khanate looked like, with its powerful fortifications and bustling markets where merchants from different countries met.
The lecture also touched on other important centers — Alabuga, Simbir, Tetyushi, and Laishevo. An interesting discovery for many was that the administrative division of the khanate into “darugs” was closely linked to the main roads leading from Kazan. In addition, the lecturer noted that many modern settlements grew up on the sites of ancient cities that in the past were open and did not have fortress walls.
There were 14 people present at the lecture.