All news

Archeological study center to open in Tatarstan Friday

From now on, scientists of Russia and foreign countries will be able to work at Bolgar site the year round

KAZAN, August 23 (Itar-Tass) - A new International center for Archeological Studies will be declared open at the historical ancient settlement site Bolgar in Tatarstan on Friday by Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic, and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, an official in the region governor's press service told Itar-Tass.

Gazprom has been taking an active part in a full-scale reconstruction of historical monuments of the 12-19th centuries. The reconstruction is underway at Bolgar site and at the Sviyazhsk island city.

The new center - "A one-storey brick building, which has an area exceeding 200 square meters and has been constructed on Gazprom funds, houses a science laboratory fitted out with computers and other equipment for archeological studies," said Andrei Faskhutdinov, Deputy Director of the Bolgar museum estate. The building also includes a hotel for 25 guests, and a dining-room.

From now on, scientists of Russia and foreign countries will be able to work at Bolgar site the year round. Earlier, archeologists dwelt in tents and engaged only in seasonal work in summer.

Over the past year, the reconstruction of Khan's palace - a monument of the second half of the 13th century - was completed in the former capital of Volgan Bulgaria; a museum of Bulgar civilization has opened, and work is underway to restore the Southern mausoleum and conserve the remains of an ancient Bulgar bathhouse.

"Along with charitable assistance in restoring historical monuments, Gazprom has done a huge amount of work over the past three years to install a gas supply system at Bolgar site and Sviyazhsk island city," emphasized Venera Akhmetova, Deputy Director General of the Tattransgaz Company.

At the international equestrian sports complex on Friday night, Miller and Minnikhanov will attend a closing ceremony of the 10th Spartakiad of Gazprom organizations and societies. The Spartakiad has been held here since August 17.