Previously unpublished plans of the Bulgarian settlement of the 18th–19th centuries

Abstract

Research objectives: To analyze two previously overlooked plans of the village of Bolgary in the Spassky district of the Kazan province of the 19th century (copies of plans originally from the 18th century). Descriptions with explanations of the plans are given, visual information from cartographic sources is analyzed, and new details related to the history of the Bulgarian saltpeter plant of the second half of the 18th century are revealed. Research materials: Two cartographic sources of the 19th century from the funds of the State Archive of the Republic of Tatarstan, several published cartographic sources of different eras, a comparative analysis of maps and plans. Results and novelty of the research: An analysis of the information in the cartographic sources presented here supports the argument that these plans of the village of Bolgary were drawn up with the aim of dividing the lands of the peasant community of the village of Bolgary. All the currently known plans of the 19th–20th centuries pursued more historical and architectural goals for the purpose of studying the Bulgarian settlement and its monuments. In the foreground, the stone buildings inside the Bulgarian settlement, with the exception of the Large Minaret, the structure between it, and, the Assumption Church (Cathedral Mosque), are localized in nine buildings or their remains. Three more buildings are listed on the territory of a small town, but the most interesting elements are four stone buildings that are drawn outside the ramparts of the settlement, in the southeast. The second plan reveals for the first time that the Bulgarian Saltpeter Plant was run by the artillery team of the Kazan Military Department. The buildings of the Bulgarian Saltpeter Plant occupied an area of one tithe of 636 fathoms or 1.38 hectares. Also in the background, there are ten more “stone ruins”, although some of them are possibly mills.