Bolgar Architectural-Archaeological Complex

I love traveling to historical places. It always makes me feel rewarded no matter what hardship I encounter while traveling to those places. One of the oldest towns I've visited is Bolgar. 

The Bolgar architectural-archaeological complex consists of Bolgar site of ancient settlement in 14th to 15th century. In the latter half of the 14 - the early 15 century, the Bolgar state was repeatedly ruined by the Golden Horde khans, Russian princes and river-pirates. The Bolgar city was finally destroyed and since that time has never appeared in history and been a sacred place for orthodox Muslim pilgrims.

Here are the remains of monumental brick-stone structures of the latter 13-14 centuries left.

The Complex consisting of  Khan tomb, Annunciation Church, Big Minaret of Cathedral Mosque and the remains of Cathedral Mosque. 

There was some construction going on at that time. They were repainting and saving roofs which are falling apart to keep the architecture's forms.

It is evident that Muslims and Orthodox Christians co-existed in a place without unnecessary conflicts. The church and the mosque built side by side. People simply go to the same area to pray just they entered different doors. Isn't it nice that way? I call it The Harmony of Religions.

Khan's tomb 

 Northern Mausoleum

The remains of the Great Mosque

another Khan's Tomb

the Black Chamber

 the Khan's bath

 White and Greek Chambers

At present more than a hundred remains of the ancient structures are known. The complex is still active and just recently there were more interesting things discovered. A full skeleton of a known to be a princess together with her jewelries was found. President Putin visited the area just a week ago to witness new findings.

We traveled at the place last year and we're supposed to go yesterday for update but bad weather didn't permit us. I promise to post pictures and narrate about it as soon as we get a chance to re-visit the place. As for now, I'll fill you in with the rest of activities we did at the place. 

Countryside Expedition

Who doesn't like a countryside adventure? It's one time when you feel a different life. Something purer, something gentler, something more natural. Here I have pictures from a Russian countryside, Russian typical countryside houses and small roads that connect to the neighboring town. Bolgar is a small town with few grocery stops where mostly people get their daily supply, a meat factory, few bakeries, one small primary school, a small middle school where all kids of the town and the neighboring villages go until they are 17. Once they finish middle school, they move to the cities for their university which then leaves the town almost a ghost town with no people around, except for some elderly.

Bolgari is one of the neighboring village where an Archaeological complex is situated in. And another one Podivanovo which is a lot smaller than Bolgari. There are no major transportation, just bikes. Some people from the two villages just go to the town on foot. We did the same, from morning we went to Podivanovo, passing by Bolgari (outside the reserve) going to Bolgar then back again. We walked altogether about 7km, which is not too bad as for a countryside walk. I don't mind as long as it's not in dusty city roads full of fast moving cars. In fact I enjoyed it. It was about 40C hot. We were there exactly when heat wave struck Russia. While walking, each of us consumed about 2 liters of cold bottled water.

The starting point. Bolgari (where we stayed) is located in between Podivanovo and Bolgar town. 

There is a spring in Podivanovo where people from the cities come to visit in summer. We saw 2 cars with families leaving as we got there. There was nobody in the entrance gate so we just entered without paying.

Since there was nobody around, we took time to take a look what they got inside.  We found a well. This is where they get their drinking water from. 

As we approached the vicinity of the village... that's how it looked like. A wide road without asphalt. Few houses and no people visible.

This was the only shop in the place. We got ourselves ice cream, finished it there, bought water again and we proceeded walking .

 Below are typical Russian countryside houses. Unlike in the cities, people mostly live in blocks, apartments, condos or villas in some part where richer people live. Countryside houses have their own charm.

 

I like the simplicity of life in the countryside. The houses though not modern and concrete, are not so simple. There is a good organization in this small village. Every house has its number and its own small mailbox outside. There is a gate made of wood as well, designed in traditional Russian way.

 Leaving the village of  Podivanovo. It was empty still, no people around not even stray animals. It was hot and very quiet. We continued walking to the next 5 kilometer destination.

There was nobody...nobody...but me. (Oh, not to mention my Hubs who was making the pics :)

As we approached the town of Bolgar, the view started changing. Houses were seen with little difference, asphalt, road signs and most of all People...there were people around :).  It is the center town where we can get meat, cheese, bread and other kitchen necessity. We made sure to get our supply for the next few days we'll be staying. I wouldn't be fun walking 7km a day just to get a pack of milk or a loaf of bread for instance.

At the town proper, I've spotted a bank and I guess the municipal hall.

Culture is important, even more History. The small town has a small museum. We didn't go inside though.

These figures from Communist times were on the walls of the town's hall of local administrative building.

Historical statues commemorating the execution of Red Guards who have executed by the White Guards during civil war in Russia, 1918

 

The Red wall commemorating the people and soldiers in Bolgar and the surrounding Regions who have fallen during the WWII. 

On our way back, again cars, people were diminishing hehe. The farther we walk from the center town, the emptier (is there even such a word :) roads became.

And check, we collected dust from 3 small towns. Oh yeah, Keds and Sebago, dirty as they are, have been travelling and learning a lot  again :)

 But this one's my favorite discovery of the day. I found an ice cream in this package.
Ta - daaaaa .... Back to USSR?! Sentiments or Nostalgia? I don't know how exactly how they feel about such but I was happy to find it and I enjoyed refreshing myself with it :)

Railroad Trip

I've traveled miles away with a plane. The 12 long hour journey did got me tired but it didn't halt me  from taking another 10 hour train ride. I learned to love trains, others might find it inconvenient, boring and tiring. We could have taken a plane for the same price and within two hours we are at our destinations. But we enjoy travelling together and spending long hour journeys. I adore nature and I hate missing a beautiful spot. Seeing long, wide green fields, thick forest and untouched waters brings my energy up. 

It's summer in Russia now and days are expected to be looonngggeeerrr hehehe. Oh yeah it is! Pictures above were taken at 4am along the way. I thought I've waken up early at 4 already but in fact I still missed the sunrise. It was that bright already when I noticed.

Embarcadero de Legazpi

Embarcadero is found at the heart of  Legazpi city just beside the pier. It's a shopping and recreation center, also a place to buy souvenirs. It's also another place to get a nice view of  Mayon volcano, Lignon hills and of course the ocean. 

One best thing about Embarcadero is the food. There are several places to eat. We have chosen authentic Filipino food. My Hubs of course didn't take a pass with the fresh coconut juice. I and our friend opted for freshly squeezed mango juice. For those who'd visit Philippines in any case, I'd recommend "Gerry's Grill" for sure. It is a must try place. The service is good, place is clean, well managed and they have really good assortments of food plus great chefs. 

Ahhh I cannot forget about the "adobo rice" wrapped in banana leaf. Oh, only if I can explain in words how good was it. It was simply the most homey, tasty, juicy,  most welcoming food especially for those who have eaten adobo before and for a long time did not. 

Shopping was next to eating. We bought some small souvenirs made from indigenous materials. My Hubs loved that shell curtain he's holding. It was pretty cheap for Php350, approximately $ 8.16. Money was the the problem for sure but the weight. It was heavy and we're not sure how we're gonna bring it, if there will be no problem in the airport and stuff. Plus the rule "travel light" always apply on all our travels. 

We're on our way home when we met my former High School classmate. The friend with us is my school mate and meeting my classmate became a batch reunion to us hehe.

Thanks to volks Betty who accompanied us in all those short side trips. My friend was generous enough to drive us around with her pretty volks.

Daraga Church

This is a continuation of our trip in Albay . We visited one of the very old churches in the province. It was built in 1773. The faithfuls continued practicing their religions here after their church in Cagsawa was destroyed by eruption of Mayon volcano in 1814.

This church was used as a headquarters of Japanese during the WWII in 1945.

It was then fixed and renovated in the years 1971-1973

There was some construction going on when we went. At first we thought they changing the walls into new concrete and it is not just right. We came closer and we saw they're just filling in some parts where the bricks are falling already. I could be dangerous, it might fall on somebody's head that's why the fixation was necessary. 

Inside, was one part of the ceiling was almost falling, again it had to be reconstructed for safety's sake. Most of the original pieces of bricks and icons were still intact which makes the church more enchanting for its oldness.

Unlike other churches who are seen along the main streets, this one is sitting atop a hill. You have to climb a long way or stairs to be in this place. It has majestic view from the top. Mayon volcano and the city below it will be seen clearly. 

The view from the fence of the church.

A Destructive Beauty

The magnificent Mayon volcano. It's an active volcano, beautiful yet destructive. The cone is considered to be the world's most perfect cone for its symmetry. Mayon stands 2,462 from the shore of the Gulf of Albay about 10 km. away. It s the most active volcano in the Philippines which erupted 40 time since 1616. The latest eruption was in 2009-2010, it served like a natural fireworks for the new year. 

However, the most recent destruction was in 2006 which, again buried villages, destroyed most of the farmers and local residents' source of living. If you can see about is a nice house which obviously had to be abandoned for a big volcanic rock ran trough it. 

It is common that Legazpi city experiences earthquake oftentimes. When there is ashfall, schools and universities would cancel classes. Residents near Mayon would be evacuated depending in the PHILVOCS warning.

Mayon Skyline

Hoping to see the other side of Mayon, we went to Mayon skyline which nestles on the eastern slope of volcano at an altitude of 2, 700 ft. t is popularly known as "heaven on earth" because of the hanging clouds and the pleasant climate. 

On the way to skyline was first sunny dry road. But the closer we get to Mayon, the wetter the road is becoming. It could be just after the rain or it's just really foggy close and up there. 

We traveled that high and that far only to see fog at our destination. It was disappointing that after you've passed a risky and dangerous, slippery road, you'll not see a reward when you get to the top. It was this foggy that we couldn't see Mayon or the Pacific ocean, lakes and the different towns surrounding Mayon.

I don't complain, I just told myself, we can always come back, hopefully at the peak of summer so there'll be less clouds and fog. The most important was that we were able to get back down to the city safe and sound.