There is a ruined ancient town 140 km away from Kazan which lies on the high left bank of Volga The name of "Veliky (Great) Bulgar» tells us of its former might and glory. Once a homeland of Bulgars - remote ancestors of today statars - now it is a Moslem sanctity and the place of pilgrimage. Far from Volga river one can see profiles of white stoned structures. They bring reminiscences of the marvelous oriental palaces, mosgues, mausoleums, which presented a wonderful decoration of ancient Bulgar. The town was founded in IX-X A.D. and lived as a trade, political and cultural center of Volga Bulgaria. It is here where in 922 ambassador of Baghdad came with his suit and local people admitted islam soon. The town of Bulgar witnessed sad days as well. The town was demolished in 1236 and burned down to ashes by the Golden Horde invaders. Nowadays town is reviving again but it will hardly reach its former magnificence. There is a settlement, Bolgary, and a spacious territory where old town s ruins can be found. Old remnants here are like dumb witnesses of the past. You vividly feel here history and can hear a far-away call of the ancestors.