Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex

• Incomplete Management Plan
• Pilgrimage village within the site boundaries
• Some conservation works prevent distinguishing between historic and added materials
• Proposed development of new projects or visitor infrastructure on the site

On 30 November 2015, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/981/documents/, and addresses the progress made in the implementation of the Decision adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 38th session (Doha, 2014).

The report provides information on measures implemented in response to the decisions of the Committee as follows:

• The development of the management plan has been carried out on the basis of the concept as presented in the nomination dossier. On 15 February 2016, the State Party submitted the management plan to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies. It includes strategic objectives for the integrated plan of preservation and management of the Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex and highlights some gaps in legal and regulatory protection for parts of the property (the Island) and for the buffer zone;
• A system of monitoring has been developed on the assumption of the main objective of preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex. This system includes precise indications to observe and document the state of conservation of the property;
• The relocation of the tent village set up for pilgrims was completed in 2014. As from summer 2015, the camp has been functioning on its new location;
• In 2015, the work has begun to establish a comprehensive site archive and store in order to collect all data, reports and archaeological finds, in a centralized facility in the vicinity of the property;
• The treatment of surfaces of historical materials has been reduced and minimized in order to make a clear distinction between historic and added materials. Newly revealed archaeological objects undergo consolidation after their excavation in order to provide constructive stability of the elements of the ruins.

On 11 November 2015, the State Party informed the World Heritage Centre of the intention to develop the Bolgar Islamic Academy as a spiritual and educational centre to serve the increasing number of pilgrims to the property following its inscription on World Heritage List. The letter also announces the possibility to build additional training facilities and a dormitory 300-400m away from the White Mosque. 

Taking into account ICOMOS recommendations regarding this project, on 14 March 2016, the State Party submitted to the World Heritage Centre the Heritage Impact Assessment of the project for review by ICOMOS.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are of the view that the Committee’s recommendations are being addressed continuously by the State Party and no further reporting is required in the short term. The State Party is encouraged to continue with the implementation of the measures requested by the Committee and with those envisaged in the Management Plan, notably the establishment and enforcement of legal and regulatory protection measures for the part of the property not yet protected and for the buffer zone, in order to ensure an appropriate state of conservation and to prevent threats from affecting its Outstanding Universal Value, in particular from activities outside the boundaries of the World Heritage property.