Red Chamber

Kamskaya St., 25, Bolgar, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, 422840

The existence of public and private baths, as well as their engineering design, testifies to the advanced hygienic culture of the inhabitants of Bulgar. But, as already mentioned, baths were used not only for washing. They were a kind of social clubs – people relaxed, communicated, exchanged news, and played chess here.

Bolgars: The Northern Mecca (In the Footsteps of the Golden Horde)

The existence of public and private baths, as well as their engineering solutions, testifies to the developed hygienic culture of the inhabitants of Bulgar. But, as already mentioned, baths were used not only for washing. They were a kind of social clubs – people rested here, communicated, exchanged news, and played chess.

The remains of one of the L-shaped bath complexes of Bulgar are located today closer to the Volga shore, significantly lower than the city center. The Red Chamber, named for the color of the interior walls, was also built in the 14th century. Archaeologists have determined how the heating and water supply systems were arranged here, discovered sewage system devices and pool basins, which provide a complete picture of the fairly high level of engineering and construction in ancient Bulgar. There are also ruins of other bath complexes on the site.

The Red Chamber is located at the foot of the left bank of the Volga, below the Cathedral Mosque complex. Built in the 14th century. The foundations and wall bases have been preserved to a height of 1.5 - 2 meters, along with a system of underfloor heating, water supply, and sewage, stone basins of pools, and other details. The building has an L-shaped plan. The Red Chamber is the remains of an ancient bath, conditionally named for the red color of the interior walls. Currently, the Red Chamber is buried underground.

The Red Chamber testifies to the well-developed construction techniques of the Volga Bulgars and the high level of improvement of the central part of their capital.

The Red Chamber was archaeologically studied in 1938-1940.

The state of preservation of the cultural layer of the Bulgar settlement, architectural monuments, and cultural landscape is satisfactory.

Sources:

https://xcourse.me/kazan/sight/krasnaya-palata-bolgar

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