turash/bugulma/frontend/data/HISTORICAL_QUOTATIONS.md

Historical Quotations and Facts about Bugulma

Compiled from forum.bugulma.ws and historical sources

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City Motto and Etymology

"Гибкий ум и несгибаемая воля" (Flexible mind and unbending will)

This proposed city motto derives from the dual meaning of the Tatar word "Бөгелмә":

• Primary meaning: "извилистое" (serpentine, winding)
• Secondary meaning: "несгибаемое" (unbending, inflexible)

This linguistic duality reflects both the physical geography (winding rivers) and the character of Bugulma's people.

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Foundation and Early History

Official Founding

"Бугульминская слобода основана в 1745 г.; 23 декабря 1781 г. она назначена уездным городом Уфимскаго наместничества"

Translation: "Bugulminska sloboda was founded in 1745; on December 23, 1781, it was designated a district town of Ufa viceroyalty"

First Settlement

According to lib.bugulma.ws: The first settlement consisted of 9-12 Tatar families (teptari) in the 17th-18th century.

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City Heraldry (1782)

"Герб города утвержден в 1782 г.: в верхней части щита изображен герб губернского города, а в нижней — в голубом поле серебряная рыба с голубыми пятнами, называемая пеструшка, которою изобилуют воды Бугульминскаго уезда."

Translation: "The city coat of arms was approved in 1782: in the upper part of the shield the coat of arms of the provincial city is depicted, and in the lower part — in a blue field a silver fish with blue spots, called pestrushka (trout), which abound in the waters of Bugulma district."

Significance: The trout was granted by Catherine II, symbolizing the abundance of rivers in the region.

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Polish and Belarusian Heritage

Polish Exiles in Bugulma (from book "На высоком месте", 2002)

"После польских волнений 1830-х гг. в Бугульму были сосланы неблагонадежные поляки. Благодаря имущественному и образовательному цензу в 1850-1890 гг. они прочно вошли в состав земской управы и городской ратуши и фактически правили городом и уездом."

Translation: "After the Polish uprisings of the 1830s, unreliable Poles were exiled to Bugulma. Thanks to property and educational qualifications in 1850-1890, they firmly entered the zemstvo council and city hall and effectively ruled the city and district."

Key Polish Officials:

• L.E. Vitkovsky — Leader of the Noble Assembly
• M. Ledomsky — Chairman of the Zemstvo Council
• G. Dlotovsky, M. Tovyansky, Yu. Chetrkovskiy — Council members

Polish-Belarusian Settlement (Soldatskaya Pismyanka, 1660s)

"...по указу Великого Государя присланы в Казань Смоленские иноземцы четырех знамен на вечное житье, а велено да устроить по за Камской черте дворами и землями и сенными покосы и всякими угодити по распоряжению"

Translation: "...by decree of the Great Sovereign, Smolensk foreigners of four banners were sent to Kazan for eternal residence, and it was ordered to establish them beyond the Kama line with homesteads and lands and hay meadows and all conveniences as directed"

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Religious Life

Protopopov Nikolay Ivanovich Fedorov

"Образованный человек, известный всем церковным кругам России." — G. Rakhmanko, "Leninskoe znamya", July 2, 1991

Translation: "An educated man, known to all church circles in Russia."

Service Record:

• Born in Bulgakovo village, Buzuluk district
• Graduated from Orenburg Seminary (July 15, 1830)
• Ordained as priest (October 1, 1830)
• Appointed to Bugulma Cathedral (October 25, 1845)
• Awarded multiple honors including the Order of St. Anna (3rd degree, 1857; 2nd degree, 1866)

Religious Conversion Story (1875)

"Крестьянин этот давно усердно желал принять крещение вместе с верою христианскою, но опасался строгого отца своего — отставного солдата."

Translation: "This peasant had long fervently desired to accept baptism together with the Christian faith, but feared his strict father — a retired soldier."

The story of Gilazitdin Nizamutdin (age 25) who was forcibly taken from his workplace, had his head shaved by Muslim relatives, but ultimately was baptized on May 13, 1875, taking the name Nikolay Kuzmin.

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Crime and Justice: The Chechen Incident (1872-1873)

The Robbed Peasant (April 1789)

"30 апреля 1789 года прихожанин из деревни Забугоровки, государственный крестьянин Илларион Иванович Сидоров, объявил настоятелю собора г. Бугульмы, что он в 9-е число сего апреля ездил верхом на лошади в село Микулино для покупки избы, и на возвратном пути, по закате солнца, встретился, проехав деревню Дуровку, с 4 татарами, из которых трое ехали в обыкновенной кибитке на паре лошадей, а один ехал на верховой лошади."

Translation: "On April 30, 1789, a parishioner from the village of Zabugorovka, state peasant Illarion Ivanovich Sidorov, announced to the abbot of the Bugulma cathedral that on the 9th of this April he rode on horseback to the village of Mikulino to buy a hut, and on his way back, after sunset, having passed the village of Durovka, he met 4 Tatars, of whom three were riding in an ordinary kibitka on a pair of horses, and one was riding a saddle horse."

The robbery: "Остановив Сидорова, и ссадив его с лошади, татары отобрали у него 90 руб. (большие деньги по тем временам), привязали его к дереву, намеревались убить его, но не убили, а только один из них провел ножом и то тупым концом по горлу, и затем оставили его привязанным к дереву, лошадь же взяли с собою."

Translation: "Stopping Sidorov and pulling him off his horse, the Tatars took 90 rubles from him (big money in those days), tied him to a tree, intended to kill him, but did not kill him, and only one of them ran a knife, and that with the blunt end, across his throat, and then left him tied to the tree, but took the horse with them."

Resolution: "Последняя или сама вырвалась у татар, или же татары сами ее пустили, только она прибежала домой, а крестьянин Сидоров, кое как отвязавшись от дерева, пришел в ночь на 10 апреля в свой дом."

Translation: "The latter either broke free from the Tatars itself, or the Tatars themselves released it; it only ran home, and peasant Sidorov, somehow untying himself from the tree, came to his house on the night of April 10."

Note: The outcome of this case is unknown.

Historical villages mentioned:

1. Zabugorovka - Now a village on the outskirts of Bugulma. In 1910: 114 households, 281 souls. Former state peasants. Had a literacy school by Zabugorok spring. On the left side of the postal road Bugulma-Buguruslan.

2. Mikulino - Manorial village on the Srednyaya Yamashka river of landowner Mikulin in the district of the same name. 48 households (303 souls) in 1910. Two churches, zemstvo school and volost administration, zemstvo station, two watermills. On the right side of the Kazan postal road Bugulma-Chistoye Pole (Chistopol). Now a village in Aznakaevo district.

3. Durovka - Manorial village, located 15 versts from Bugulma "at the top of Kamennyy Spring." On the right side of the Kazan postal road towards Chistopol, most likely in Mikulino volost. 9 households, 73 peasant souls (1869). No longer exists.

Background

"В 1872 году в г. Бугульму прислано из Дагестана более 50 человек чеченцев. Сначала они жили мирно, спокойно, а, потом в 1873 стали воровать."

Translation: "In 1872, more than 50 Chechens were sent to Bugulma from Dagestan. At first they lived peacefully, quietly, but then in 1873 began to steal."

The Tragedy (September 1873)

"Первый нашел их Мало-Бугульминский безсрочно-отпускной солдат Алексей Терентьевич Ямурин, который, сокочив с лошади, схватил сзади за плечи чеченца, а другой чеченец тотчас выстрелил из ружья и убил Ямурина."

Translation: "The first to find them was Malo-Bugulminsky indefinite-leave soldier Alexey Terentyevich Yamurin, who, jumping off his horse, grabbed a Chechen from behind by the shoulders, and another Chechen immediately fired a rifle and killed Yamurin."

Two local residents were killed while pursuing Chechen criminals:

• Alexey Terentyevich Yamurin (indefinite-leave soldier)
• Ardalion Prokofyev (peasant)

Funeral held September 11, 1873, with procession from the hospital to Nikolsky Cathedral.

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The Murder of Three Nuns (1872)

"Послушницы сии Бугурусланскаго монастыря были в декабре 1871 года посланы для сбора (пожертвования); в г. Бугульме были в конце декабря, из которого отправились в г. Мензелинск на ярмарку, из Мензелинска в г. Елабугу, в Черемшанскую крепость, а из крепости возвращались было опять в г. Бугульму; но не доезжая до Бугульмы 35 верст были убиты разбойникам из деревни Кувакбашевой."

Translation: "These novices of Buguruslan monastery were sent in December 1871 for collection (donations); they were in Bugulma at the end of December, from which they went to Menzelinsk for the fair, from Menzelinsk to Yelabuga, to Cheremshan fortress, and from the fortress were returning again to Bugulma; but 35 versts before reaching Bugulma they were murdered by robbers from Kuvakbashevo village."

Victims:

• Matrena Nikitina Kalashnikova
• Matrena Tumakova
• Anastasia Amanatskaya

Their bodies were thrown into the Sheshma River. Six suspects from Kuvakbashevo were arrested and imprisoned in Bugulma jail. Investigation completed by Judicial Investigator Mr. Gasse in March-April 1872.

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Population Statistics

1890 Census

Total population: 12,895 (6,276 male, 6,619 female)

Social classes:

• Hereditary nobility: 12/14
• Personal nobility: 18/21
• Orthodox clergy: 16/17
• Merchants: 50/40
• Townspeople: 5,591/6,081
• Peasants: 190/200

Religious composition:

• Orthodox: 6,082/6,409
• Catholics: 14/10
• Jews: 3/2
• Muslims: 80/75
• Old Believers (bezpopovtsy): 97/123

Economic indicators:

• 388 craftsmen (229 masters, 134 workers, 25 apprentices)
• 37 factories producing 61,700 rubles worth of goods
• 3 annual fairs with total turnover of 404,390 rubles

1910 Census

Total population: 8,282

Nationality:

• Russians: 94%
• Tatars: 6%

Infrastructure:

• 6 churches, 1 women's monastery
• 1 women's gymnasium, 1 real school
• 5 boys' schools, 3 girls' schools
• 2 libraries, 1 hospital (60 beds)
• 30 factories (195,000 rubles production)
• 79 artisan establishments

Housing:

• 1,348 wooden buildings
• 67 stone buildings
• 21 mixed buildings

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Transportation History

Unrealized Railway Project (1938-1941)

From newspaper "Znamya Revolyutsii" (1941):

"Народный комиссар путей сообщения Л.М.Каганович утвердил проектное задание на постройку магистрали Казань - Бугульма."

Translation: "People's Commissar of Communications L.M. Kaganovich approved the project assignment for the construction of the Kazan - Bugulma mainline."

Project specifications:

• Total length: 340 kilometers
• Route: Derbychki - Vysokaya Gora - Pestretsy - Kama crossing at Kubassi - Kargali - Novosheshminsk - Kichuy - Mamet - Pismyanka - Bugulma
• Bridge over Kama: 1,200 meters long
• Total cost: 246 million rubles
• Earthworks: 14.2 million cubic meters

Historic context: "Царское правительство делало неуклюжие попытки построить дорогу. В 1911 году намечалась постройка ветки от Казани до Чистополя без перехода через Каму."

Translation: "The tsarist government made clumsy attempts to build a road. In 1911, construction of a branch from Kazan to Chistopol was planned without crossing the Kama."

The project was halted with the outbreak of World War II in June 1941.

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Industrial Heritage

Kuzmin Mill (1913-1914)

"Мельница бугурусланского купца И.Кузьмина" — Крупчатая мельница Беспалова и Кузьмина

The flour mill of Buguruslan merchant I. Kuzmin was noted in the 1916 Factory Inspector's report as one of the "довольно крупные предприятия" (quite large enterprises).

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Disappeared Villages

Medvedka (formerly Novaya Bugulma)

Status: "исчезает..." (disappearing) Original name: Novaya Bugulma (New Bugulma) Current status: Depopulating village in Leninogorsk district

Kislinka (Severovka, Bedinka, Russkaya Shegushla)

From 1869 census: 20 households, 151 peasant souls, had a factory Current status: "Ныне не существует, осталось только урочище (кладбище) у реки Кислинка (Вязовка)"

Translation: "No longer exists, only a burial ground (cemetery) remains by the Kislinka River (Vyazovka)"

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Historical Buildings

Kazansko-Bogoroditsky Women's Monastery

Founded as Kazanskaya Women's Community in 1879, elevated to monastery status in 1889.

Current state (from forum post, October 2013): "Вот в таком состоянии ныне находится храм при бывшем Казанско-Богородицком женском монастыре (на территории СИ-3). С каким остервенением изображение выскоблено!"

Translation: "This is the current state of the church at the former Kazansko-Bogoroditsky women's monastery (on the territory of Penal Colony No. 3). With what ferocity the image was scraped out!"

The church frescoes, including depictions of the Last Supper, show deliberate vandalism from the Soviet period, with religious images viciously defaced.

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Merchant Houses and Historic Architecture

Article "History in Stone" (Leninskoe Znamya, June 29, 1991)

"История города звучит в его улицах и зданиях. Старые городские дома, а их осталось не особенно много, вызывают воспоминания событий прошлого, как бы связывают их с современностью."

Translation: "The history of the city sounds in its streets and buildings. Old city houses, and there are not so many of them left, evoke memories of past events, as if connecting them with modernity."

"Дома построенные в городе в конце прошлого и начале нынешнего века, выделяются особыми архитектурными формами, во многих из них прослеживается единый архитектурный стиль. Построены они, как правило, прочно, добротно и, имея более чем столетний возраст, еще долго будут служить людям."

Translation: "Houses built in the city at the end of the last century and the beginning of this century stand out with special architectural forms; in many of them a unified architectural style can be traced. They are built, as a rule, solidly, soundly, and, being more than a century old, will serve people for a long time."

Shelashnikov's House (now Tax Inspection, Lenina 64)

Former owner: Alexander Nikolaevich Shelashnikov — Kamerjunker of His Imperial Majesty's Court, State Councilor, Gubernatorial Leader of the Nobility (1916), Honorary Justice of the Peace of Bugulma.

History: "В начале века принадлежало предводителю Бугульминского уездного дворянства Шелашникову. Сам он в нем не жил, а сдавал Волжско-Камскому банку. На нижнем этаже этого здания находился магазин «Канцелярские товары»."

Translation: "At the beginning of the century belonged to the leader of Bugulminsky district nobility Shelashnikov. He himself did not live in it, but rented it to Volga-Kama Bank. On the ground floor of this building was a store 'Office Supplies'."

Soviet period: In 1918, the 5th Red Army headquarters of the Eastern Front worked here for some time. Later: district, canton, district and city party committees.

Note: Station Shelashnikovo on the railway towards Ulyanovsk was one of his estates.

House of Merchant Khakimov (now Shoe Factory, corner Dzhalil/Sovetskaya)

"Дом, где сейчас размещается фабрика пошива и ремонта обуви принадлежал купцу и миллионеру Хакимову. В этом доме он жил."

Translation: "The house where the shoe sewing and repair factory is now located belonged to merchant and millionaire Khakimov. He lived in this house."

Soviet era: In the Civil War years, a communist club was located here; in November 1918, a meeting of communists was held and the first district committee of the RCP(b) was elected.

Former Prison (now Knitwear Factory building)

"На месте где сейчас трикотажная фабрика стояла тюрьма, она просуществовала до 1933 года. Это здание реконструировано полностью."

Translation: "In the place where the knitwear factory is now, there was a prison; it existed until 1933. This building has been completely reconstructed."

Former Treasury Building (now School, corner Gertsena/Gogolya)

"В здании, где до недавнего времени находилась восьмилетняя школа №1, до революции было казначейство, в двадцатые-тридцатые годы здесь размещалась школа колхозной молодежи (ШКМ)."

Translation: "In the building where eight-year school No. 1 was located until recently, before the revolution there was a treasury; in the twenties and thirties, a collective farm youth school was located here."

WWII: One of the departments of evacuation hospital No. 2784 was here.

Treasury official: Collegial Councilor Procopius Pavlovich Samarin retained his position as treasurer even under Soviet power. Wife - Apollinaria Petrovna. The Samarins were active in community affairs before the revolution - Guardianship Committee, local Red Cross committee, school council, etc.

Former Women's Gymnasium (now School for the Deaf, Gogol 21)

"В здании, где сейчас школа-интернат слабослышащих детей была женская гимназия, потом, в двадцатые годы здесь - школа второй ступени, в которой учился герой крымского подполья Н.Барышев."

Translation: "In the building where the boarding school for hearing-impaired children is now located, there was a women's gymnasium, then, in the twenties, here was a second-level school, in which the hero of the Crimean underground N. Baryshev studied."

WWII: Department of evacuation hospital No. 2784.

House of Merchant Litvinov (now Housing Trust, Lenina 17/6)

"Здание, где сейчас расположен жилищный трест, принадлежало купцу Литвинову, в годы гражданской войны здесь был комсомольский клуб, уездный и городской комитеты комсомола."

Translation: "The building where the housing trust is now located belonged to merchant Litvinov; during the Civil War years there was a Komsomol club here, district and city Komsomol committees."

District Court Building (now Emergency Station, Lenina 93)

"В доме, где сейчас станция скорой помощи, размещался окружной суд (уездный съезд мировых судей). С 1926 по 1978 годы здесь была городская поликлиника."

Translation: "In the house where the ambulance station is now, the district court (district congress of justices of the peace) was located. From 1926 to 1978, there was a city polyclinic here."

Local memory: "В 50-60гг. ХХ века вдоль здания сидели попрошайки с кружками." (In the 1950s-60s, beggars with cups sat along the building.)

House of Merchant Goryachev (now Sports Store)

Former use: On the ground floor there was a Singer company branch for selling sewing machines to the population.

House of Merchant Latypov (now Architectural Department)

"Дом, где сейчас архитектурный отдел, - купцу Латыпову, на нижнем этаже его дома был магазин."

Translation: "The house where the architectural department is now belonged to merchant Latypov; on the ground floor of his house was a store."

House of Merchant Belov (now Evening School No. 1, Oktyabrskaya 5)

"Дом, где сейчас школа рабочей молодежи №1, принадлежал купцу Белову."

Translation: "The house where evening school for working youth No. 1 is now located belonged to merchant Belov."

House of Wealthy Farmer Afanasyev (now Young Technicians Station)

"Дом, где сейчас станция юных техников, был собственностью богатого хуторянина Афанасьева."

Translation: "The house where the young technicians station is now was the property of wealthy farmer Afanasyev."

Later use: "А еще на втором этаже находилось отделение ГосБанка." (Also on the second floor was a State Bank branch.)

House of Homeowner Bobrov (now Raduga Store)

"Дом, где сейчас расположен магазин «Радуга» был собственностью домовладельца Боброва, в годы Великой Отечественной войны на втором этаже этого дома работал штаб сформированной в Татарии 352-й стрелковой дивизии."

Translation: "The house where the Raduga store is now located was the property of homeowner Bobrov; during the Great Patriotic War, on the second floor of this house, the headquarters of the 352nd Rifle Division formed in Tataria worked."

House of Homeowner Blagodatny (now Dining Hall)

"А дом рядом, на первом этаже которого сейчас столовая, принадлежал домовладельцу Благодатному, на втором этаже этого дома были, так называемые, «меблированные комнаты», которые сдавались приезжающим в наш город."

Translation: "And the house next door, on the first floor of which there is now a dining room, belonged to homeowner Blagodatny; on the second floor of this house there were so-called 'furnished rooms' that were rented to visitors to our city."

House of Nobleman Elachich (now Regional Museum)

"Зданием нынешнего краеведческого музея владел дворянин Елачич."

Translation: "The building of the current local history museum was owned by nobleman Elachich."

Note: A.F. Elachich was a member of the Bugulminsky District Committee, a large landowner. His estate was in Pavlovka.

House of Georgian Prince Nezheradze (now Hašek Museum, Sovetskaya 67)

"А домом, где музей Ярослава Гашека, владел грузинский князь Нежерадзе. Ходили по городу слухи, что Нежерадзе сослан в наш город, но за что, когда и почему, никто не знает."

Translation: "And the house where the Yaroslav Hašek museum is was owned by Georgian prince Nezheradze. There were rumors around the city that Nezheradze was exiled to our city, but for what, when and why, no one knows."

1918: Military commandant's office was here. Commandant was Melekess resident political commissar Ivan Dmitrievich Shirokov of the red suburban detachment (peasant volunteers). Yaroslav Hašek, like other Melekess residents Dmitry Taranov and Alfred Shpitulsky, was Shirokov's assistant.

House of Landowner Dmitriev (now Intercity Telephone Station, Gogol St.)

"Домом, где сейчас междугородная телефонная станция, владел помещик Дмитриев."

Translation: "The house where the intercity telephone station is now was owned by landowner Dmitriev."

Note: Actual State Councilor Petr Petrovich Dmitriev was also chairman of the District Zemstvo Council.

House of Architect Gusarov (now Orphanage, Dzhalil St.)

"Дом, где сейчас детский дом, был собственностью архитектора Гусарова."

Translation: "The house where the orphanage is now was the property of architect Gusarov."

Former owner: Ivan Vasilyevich Gusarov.

Working-Class Housing

"Рассказывая о домах местных богачей, нельзя не сказать о том, что ремесленники, рабочие, крестьяне, в большинстве своем жили в ветхих, деревянных домах, в большой бедности и огромной скученности. Крыши многих домов были крыты соломой."

Translation: "When talking about the houses of local rich people, one cannot but say that craftsmen, workers, and peasants mostly lived in dilapidated wooden houses, in great poverty and huge overcrowding. The roofs of many houses were covered with straw."

The Great Fire of 1911

"Соломенная кровля способствовала возникновению пожаров, которые для города не были редкостью. Во время пожаров полностью выгорало много домов. Особенно большой пожар был в 1911 году. Он уничтожил массу строений и в северо-западной части города."

Translation: "Straw roofing contributed to the occurrence of fires, which were not uncommon for the city. During fires, many houses were completely burned out. A particularly large fire occurred in 1911. It destroyed a mass of structures in the northwestern part of the city."

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Historic Cathedrals and Churches

Bogoroditsky Cathedral (Kazansky-Bogoroditsky, 1783)

Article "In Memory of the Temple" (Leninskoe Znamya, June 29, 1991):

"Каменное здание собора Казанской Божьей Матери в Бугульме построил на нынешней центральной площади на свои деньги в 1783 году майор Иван Иванович Галаутов."

Translation: "The stone building of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan in Bugulma was built on the current central square at his own expense in 1783 by Major Ivan Ivanovich Galautov."

Early history: "До этого времени в городе был деревянный храм на Сокольской горе."

Translation: "Before this time there was a wooden church on Sokolskaya Mountain in the city."

Note: An earlier wooden church burned in 1760. A similar wooden church built after the fire existed until 1783.

Continuous expansion: "Со дня создания каменного храма бугульминцы каждый год расширяли и украшали его."

Translation: "From the day of creation of the stone temple, Bugulma residents expanded and decorated it every year."

1801: Purchased a bell weighing 55 poods and 20 pounds for 980 rubles in banknotes.

1815: Tatar craftsmen roofed the temple with iron. Krovelnschik (roofer) Ilyas worked on the roof.

Tatar craftsmen's contribution: "В устройстве бугульминского храма принимали участие не только христиане. С большим уважением упоминает летопись о двух мастерах – татарах, братьях Юзюкеевых – Хабите и Хуссаине, построивших вокруг храма красивую каменную ограду."

Translation: "Not only Christians participated in the construction of the Bugulma temple. The chronicle mentions with great respect two craftsmen - Tatars, the Yuzyukeev brothers - Khabita and Hussain, who built a beautiful stone fence around the temple."

1847 reconstruction: "В 1847 году купец Федор Набережнов явился инициатором перестройки храма в большой трехпрестольный собор."

Translation: "In 1847, merchant Fedor Naberezhnov was the initiator of the reconstruction of the temple into a large three-altar cathedral."

1854: Unter-officer's widow Anna Filippovna Petrova donated her house with wing and outbuildings for the temple construction.

Community support: Peasant communities collected money for its reconstruction.

Note from forum contributor Mr.Fix: The 1991 newspaper article confuses the Bogoroditsky and Nikolsky Cathedrals. The Bogoroditsky Cathedral was actually demolished in 1928. From its stones, a bathhouse was built (year 1928 laid out in stones). The former bathhouse building now belongs to TatNIPI.

Nikolsky Cathedral (St. Nicholas Cathedral, 1856-1866)

Location: "находился примерно межу памятником Ленина и зданием Полиции на Центральной (в те времена - Базарной) площади"

Translation: "was located approximately between the Lenin monument and the Police building on Central (in those times - Bazaar) square"

Construction: Built on the initiative of merchant Fedor Naberezhnov (same merchant who initiated Bogoroditsky Cathedral reconstruction).

Demolition: Demolished in the 1930s. The underground public toilet and shooting gallery were later built left of the "Mir" cinema, but not on the site of the cathedral altar.

Gardens: "Сада нет. Аллея героев - сквер, садом уже не назвать. Но отец говорит, что там был сад и танцплощадка."

Translation: "There is no garden. Heroes Alley is a square, no longer can be called a garden. But father says there was a garden and a dance floor."

Cathedral's grandeur: "Самое красивое, самое величественное здание Бугульмы смели с лица земли вместе с большим его садом в недоброй памяти тридцатые годы."

Translation: "The most beautiful, most magnificent building in Bugulma was swept from the face of the earth along with its large garden in the ill-remembered thirties."

1866 chronicle: "Но осталась летопись этого храма, написанная еще в 1866 году. Не странно ли – несколько листочков бумаги пережили большой каменный храм…"

Translation: "But the chronicle of this temple, written back in 1866, remains. Isn't it strange - a few sheets of paper survived a large stone temple..."

Historical significance: "Любопытна и драгоценна эта летопись, ведь история этого храма – история средоточия духовной и культурной жизни наших предков."

Translation: "This chronicle is curious and precious, because the history of this temple is the history of the concentration of the spiritual and cultural life of our ancestors."

Old Mosque (Sobornaya Mechet, 1898)

Demolition: The old Bugulma mosque was demolished in the 1960s.

Resistance to demolition: "(ломали-ломали, а оно не поддавалось, пришлось принимать крайние меры против неуступчатого строения)"

Translation: "(they broke it and broke it, but it did not give in, they had to take extreme measures against the unyielding structure)"

Current use: The building that later housed the radio station. By the 1970s it was in use as a communications facility.

Old Believer Prayer House

Location: "в том районе" near the area behind former SPTU-37 (technical school), between Gertsen Street and the bathhouse.

Description: A cylindrical white building with bricked-up windows, now part of the water utility infrastructure. There are old photographs showing this distinctive circular structure.

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Primary Sources Referenced

Books

1. "На высоком месте: Городу Бугульма – 200 лет" (2002)

   • Editors: Magdeev N.G., Akhmetzyanov I., Gavrilov V.
   • Editor: V. Saveliev (journalist)
   • Published for Bugulma's 200th anniversary

2. Historical Records by Inspector D. Orlov

   • Протоиерей Д. Орлов (Protopope D. Orlov)
   • Inspector of Samara Theological Seminary
   • Original orthography preserved in transcriptions

Government Documents

• Перепись населенных мест Самарской губернии 1890г. (Census of populated places of Samara Governorate, 1890)
• Список населенных мест Самарской губернии 1910г. (List of populated places of Samara Governorate, 1910)
• Памятная книжка Самарской губернии 1916г. (Memorial book of Samara Governorate, 1916)

Newspapers

• "Знамя Революции" (later "Советская Татария", now "Республика Татарстан") — 1941
• "Ленинское знамя" — July 2, 1991

Web Sources

• lib.bugulma.ws — Local library kravedenie (local history) section
• forum.bugulma.ws — Thread "Интересные факты из истории Бугульмы" (168 replies, 186,883 views)
• sobory.ru — Orthodox churches catalog

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Notable Historical Locations

Makarova Gora (Makarov Mountain)

"Макарьева гора. Знаю, что рядом с Сокольской, а поточнее не смог узнать. До постройки стадиона, бугульминская футбольная команда тренировалась на этой горе."

Translation: "Makarova Mountain. I know it's near Sokolskaya, but couldn't find out more precisely. Before the stadium was built, the Bugulma football team trained on this mountain."

This location was the site of the 1873 manhunt for Chechen criminals.

Nikolsky Cathedral (demolished)

Location: "находился примерно межу памятником Ленина и зданием Полиции на Центральной (в те времена - Базарной) площади"

Translation: "was located approximately between the Lenin monument and the Police building on Central (in those times - Bazaar) square"

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Economic Development

Vozdvizhenskaya Fair (1890)

"Воздвиженская, проходившая с 14 по 26 сентября, была одной из крупнейших в Приуралье."

Translation: "Vozdvizhenskaya, held from September 14 to 26, was one of the largest in the Urals region."

Goods traded: horses, cattle, raw hides, Bukhara goods, tea, camel cloth, leather products

Three annual fairs (1890):

1. Sbornaya Lent Fair (March 8-16): 170,850 rubles brought, 80,560 sold
2. Kazansky Fair (July 8-14): 138,750 rubles brought, 73,380 sold
3. Vozdvizhenskaya (Sept 14-26): 425,980 rubles brought, 250,450 sold

Geographic & Trade Significance

"Бугульма являлась важным торговым центром и имела выгодное географическое положение, через неё проходили пути из Уфы и Оренбурга в Казань."

Translation: "Bugulma was an important trading center and had an advantageous geographic position; routes from Ufa and Orenbirg to Kazan passed through it."

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Pugachev Rebellion (1773-1775)

"Город находился в центре Пугачёвского восстания, в те годы в районе Бугульминской слободы находилась штаб-квартира главнокомандующего правительственными войсками генерал-аншефа Бибикова."

Translation: "The city was at the center of the Pugachev Rebellion; in those years, the headquarters of the commander-in-chief of government troops, General-Anshef Bibikov, was located in the area of Bugulma sloboda."

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Soviet Period & WWII

352nd Orshanskaya Division (August 1941)

"В начале Великой Отечественной войны, в августе 1941 года в городе была сформирована 352-я Оршанская Краснознамённая ордена Суворова стрелковая дивизия."

Translation: "At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, in August 1941, the 352nd Orshanskaya Red Banner Order of Suvorov Rifle Division was formed in the city."

War effort: The city funded fighter plane "Komsomolets Tatarii" and strategic bomber Pe-8 "Bugulminsky Kolkhoznik", which flew combat missions from May 1944 to May 1945.

Oil Discovery & Tatнeft (1948-1950)

"В связи с открытием в 1948 году Ромашкинского месторождений нефти, город пережил второе рождение."

Translation: "In connection with the discovery of the Romashkinskoye oil field in 1948, the city experienced a second birth."

"В 1950 году в Бугульме было создано объединение «Татнефть»."

Translation: "In 1950, the Tatneft association was created in Bugulma."

Population explosion: "За короткое время население города увеличилось в десять раз." (In a short time, the city's population increased tenfold.) Bugulma became the second-largest city in Tatarstan after Kazan until the late 1960s.

Bugulminskaya Oblast (1953)

"С 21 февраля по 30 апреля 1953 года город был областным центром Бугульминской области."

Translation: "From February 21 to April 30, 1953, the city was the regional center of Bugulminskaya Oblast."

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Awards & Recognition

Order of the Badge of Honor (1982)

"За успехи в хозяйственном, культурном, социальном развитии город награждён орденом «Знак Почёта» (1982 год)"

Translation: "For achievements in economic, cultural, and social development, the city was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor (1982)"

UNESCO Medal (2001)

Золотой медалью ЮНЕСКО «Пальмовая ветвь мира» (2001 год).

Translation: "UNESCO Gold Medal 'Palm Branch of Peace' (2001)"

UN-Habitat Inclusion (2011)

"За успешную реализацию проекта «Чистая вода» в 2011 году Бугульма стала четвёртым городом России, включённым в Почётный список Организации Объединённых наций по Программе населённых пунктов (ООН-Хабитат)."

Translation: "For successful implementation of the 'Clean Water' project in 2011, Bugulma became the fourth city in Russia included in the United Nations Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Honor List."

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Famous Residents & Visitors

Yaroslav Hašek (1918-1920)

"Чешский писатель Ярослав Гашек написал книгу «Бугульминские рассказы», в которой отражены события революционных лет и гражданской войны."

Translation: "Czech writer Yaroslav Hašek wrote the book 'Bugulma Stories', which reflects the events of the revolutionary years and civil war."

Hašek served as military commandant of Bugulma and left colorful memoirs about his time there.

Notable Personalities

• Alexey Batalov (1928-2017) - Soviet and Russian actor, People's Artist of the USSR
• Nadezhda Kadysheva - Russian singer, soloist of ensemble "Golden Ring"
• Alsou - Russian singer, Honored Artist and People's Artist of Tatarstan
• Olga Danilova - Russian cross-country skier, two-time Olympic champion, four-time world champion
• Sergey Ryzhikov - Russian cosmonaut-tester
• Nikolay Kolesnikov - Soviet weightlifter, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR

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Historical Census Data

1897 Census

National composition:

• Russians: 47%
• Bashkirs: 30%
• Tatars: 15%
• Other (mainly Chuvash and Mordva): 8%

Population Growth (1856-2024)

Year	Population	Notes
1856	3,600	Pre-city status
1890	12,895	Uezd city, trading center
1897	7,600	Post-census decline
1910	8,282	Railway era begins
1939	24,900	Pre-WWII growth
1959	60,980	Oil boom begins
1970	72,449	Peak Tatneft expansion
1989	89,589	Soviet era maximum
2002	93,014	Post-Soviet peak
2010	89,204	Population decline begins
2024	79,545	Current (Jan 1, 2024)

1910 Infrastructure

"В 1911 году через Бугульму была проложена Волго-Бугульминская железная дорога."

Translation: "In 1911, the Volga-Bugulma Railway was laid through Bugulma."

City specifications:

• 6 churches, 1 women's monastery
• 1 women's gymnasium, 1 real school
• 30 factories (195,000 rubles production)
• 79 artisan establishments
• 1,348 wooden buildings, 67 stone buildings
• 16 kerosene street lamps

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Cultural Landmarks

Hakimov's House (19th century)

"Доходный дом купца Ш. Л. Хакимова — дом с куполом и шпилем на крыше, ставший визитной карточкой города."

Translation: "The tenement house of merchant Sh. L. Hakimov - a house with a dome and spire on the roof, which has become the city's calling card."

Current use: Center of Tatar Culture (formerly galantry store and "Zarya" cinema in Soviet times)

Bugulma Drama Theater

Founded in 1899 as a theater-teahouse. During WWII, managed by N.A. Olshevskaya, a student of K.S. Stanislavsky. Now named after A.V. Batalov with 350-seat hall.

Museums

1. Bugulma Regional Museum - Local history
2. Literary-Memorial Museum of Yaroslav Hašek - Dedicated to the Czech writer's time in Bugulma

Monuments

• Monument to Yaroslav Hašek
• Monument to the Brave Soldier Schweik
• Memorial of Eternal Glory with Pe-2 bomber aircraft
• Monument to "Fordson" tractor
• Memorial complex and obelisk of 352nd Orshanskaya Division
• Steam locomotive-monument L-1765 (installed August 27, 2011, for 100th anniversary of Bugulma railway station)
• Alley of Heroes (busts of Heroes of Soviet Union from Bugulma and Bugulma district)
• Monument to 200th anniversary of Bugulma at railway junction

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Modern Heraldry (2007)

Official description of new coat of arms:

"В червленом (красном) поле с лазоревой (синей, голубой) оконечностью, завершенной серебром и обремененной серебряной рыбой, покрытой попеременно серебряной и лазоревой чешуей, -зеленый холм и над ним –отвлеченный серебряный купол, завершенный малым шпилем."

Translation: "In a red field with a blue (azure) base, completed with silver and charged with a silver fish covered alternately with silver and azure scales - a green hill and above it an abstract silver dome, topped with a small spire."

Symbolism:

• Blue wavy base with fish: Historical connection, river abundance
• Blue color: Honor, nobility, spirituality, lofty aspirations
• Silver wave: Winding Bugulminka River and other streams
• Green hill: Bugulma-Belebey Highland geography, highest part of Tatarstan
• Green color: Nature, agriculture, health, growth
• Ornate dome: Historical architectural heritage, one of Tatarstan's most beautiful historic cities
• Silver: Purity, perfection, peace, mutual understanding
• Red color: Labor, strength, courage, beauty, celebration

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Sister Cities

• Aydin, Turkey (since 2007)

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Compiled from forum.bugulma.ws thread "Интересные факты из истории Бугульмы", Wikipedia, and lib.bugulma.ws Primary contributors: Mr.Fix (forum user, local historian), Zemlyak (forum user) Last update: November 22, 2024