Bilär

For the municipality in the Philippines, see Bilar, Bohol.

For the municipality in the Spanish Basque Country, see Elvillar/Bilar.

Bilär (also Bülär) – was a medieval city in Volga Bulgaria during the 10th – 13th centuries. It was located on the left bank of the Keçe Çirmeşän river in modern-day Alekseyevski Rayon of Tatarstan. The city was founded by the Bilär tribe of Volga Bulgars. Bilär is also known as "Great City" (Великий город) in the Russian chronicles, because the number of citizens was reputedly in excess of 100,000.

Bilär was the main trade center in Middle Volga, and served as the capital of Volga Bulgaria in the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1236, the city was sacked by the hordes of Batu Khan. The city was later rebuilt, but it never regained its former size or power.

The city's ruins (nearly 8 sq. km) were explored in 18th – 20th centuries by Rychkov, Tatischev, Xalikov and Xucin.

Bilär today is a Russian village founded in 1654 as a border castle. In 1930-1963 it was an administrative center of Bilär Rayon. Population (2000 census) - 2,270. It is the birthplace of the famous chemist Arbuzov.

External links

[The Site of Bilyar]

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