Elabuga local history complex

Local history complex of Elabuga State Historical-Architectural and Artitsic Museum-Reserve was opened in August 2007 during the celebration of Elabuga 1000 years. The complex has combined museum projects of various topics in it: here expositions of the Museum of city’s history, Museum-Theatre “Tavern”, Interactive workshops and Showroom were created. Local history complex is placed in a building-monument – House of merchant A.F. Nikolaev with trade halls, built in the 60-ies of the XIX century.

Museum of city’s history.

Exhibition of Museum of History of the city “1000-year-old Elabuga” tells us about the history of Elabuga region, starting from the time of flowering of Ananyinskaya culture in Ist millennium BC, and talks about the city's development until the present day. Hall of nature and archeology reveals peculiarities of geographical position of Elabuga area, represents specific diversity of nature.

At the end of Ist millennium BC on the territory of modern Elabuga district remote ancestors of Udmurt, Mari and Komi-Perm peoples lived, known in history as the tribes of Ananyinskaya culture. The exhibition represents historical reconstruction of people’s homes of that time, implements and objects of armed warriors, fragments of pottery found during excavations in Elabuga and its environs.

First settlement of urban type on the territory of Elabuga region was founded at the turn of X-XI centuries. At the same time on the right Kama bank a fort was built, which served as protection, caravanserai and mosque. Only one tower of the fortress remained to our days, the so-called “Devil's ancient settlement" - the silent witness of Elabuga’s 1000 years.

The museum of History presents archaeological findings that confirm Elabuga’s 1000-year-old age: fragments of pottery, bronze items, women's jewelry, implements, clothing and weapons of Bulgarian soldier, costumes of the times of Golden Horde and Kazan Khanate.

After the conquest of Kazan Khanate on the place of Bulgarian town Alabuga, palace village Trehsvyatskoe emerged, it was inhabited by Russians, Udmurts, Mari, Kryashens. Locals grow crops, flax, were engaged in dressing of leather, manufacture of textiles. Handicrafts became subjects of sales on numerous fairs.

In the XVIII century Elabuga was repeatedly attacked by rebelled peasants under the leadership of Akaiy and Aldar-bai, and in 1773-1775 – E.I. Pugachev. In the museum you may see samples of melee weapons of that time.

Interactive workshops.

Interactive way of providing information – this is a kind of know-how of Elabuga complex. Exactly there, you may see live (and sometimes even participate) in production of one or another household object (pottery, souvenirs, etc.). Elabuga masters present crafts and trades, developed from time immemorial, in interactive workshops. Here you can see at work masters of hand-woven macramé and embroidery, wickerwork and painting on wood, as well as a master-potter. Visitors of Interactive workshops have an opportunity to get a master class on selected trade, and under professional guidance of a master try to produce something with their own hands. In addition, in Interactive shops you can by directly from masters products and souvenirs you liked. There is also a possibility of arranging museum lessons for pupils, during which children gain experience in creating objects of decorative and applied arts.