The Volga Bulgaria state existed in the Middle Volga in the 10th-13th centuries. Arab and Persian geographers considered Volga Bulgaria to be the northernmost Islamic country. The Persian researcher-encyclopedist Ahmad ibn Rustah wrote in his book ‘Expensive values’, which he compiled in 903-913,

The capital of this state was the city of Bulgar (now — Bolgar).

There were public baths in medieval Bolgar. Archaeologists suggest that there were at least four of them on the bank of the Volga River. Not only showering and bathing was done here. Public baths were a common meeting place for people. They talked to each other, shared news, and even concluded important deals on exchanging goods.

Nowadays, in the Bolgar ancient settlement, you can see a dressing room of one of the public baths. It has number 2 in the archaeological reports. Its entrance was located in the southeastern wall; the doorway was faced with polished white limestone blocks. The heated couch — ‘sufa’ was located to the left of the entrance. People relaxed there after the sweating room. The northeastern half of the room is almost demolished and collapsed over time. Only imprints of masonry can tell us about the layout of the whole bath. The anteroom was followed by the central block and the room where the furnace was located.

Another public bath was called the ‘White Chamber’. The structure dates back to the 14th century. It was modeled on similar buildings in Transcaucasia, Central Asia, and Crimea. Two round stoves with an approximate diameter of two meters heated the bath. The washing room had not only a swimming pool but also a fountain. There were water supply, heating, and sewerage systems in operation.

The other two baths were called the ‘Red Chamber’ and the ‘Khan’s Bath’. Archaeologists found water basins in their interior that were located in the corners of the washing rooms. The interiors and appearance of the baths were reconstructed in the 19th century.

The exhibition “History of the Civilization of Volga Bulgars” presents a water basin made of white limestone. It was located in the “White Chamber”, which was built in the 15th century.