The administrative centre of Novosheshminsky district is Novosheshminsk. Area – 1315,3 square km. The district was founded in 1983. The village of Novosheshminsk is situated on the bank of the river Sheshma, 197 km to the south-east from Kazan, 75 km to the north from the railway station Shentala.
Novosheshminsky district shares its borders with Cheremshansky, Aksubayevsky, Chistopolsky, Nizhnekamsky, and Almetyevsky districts. Rich in history, this district has witnessed the passage of time from the eastern borders of Volga Bulgaria during the 10th to 12th centuries. Archaeological remnants from this era still dot the landscape, offering a glimpse into ancient settlements.
Historical Evolution
Until 1920, Novosheshminsky district was part of the Chistopol Uyezd of the Kazan Governorate. In 1920s it became part of the Chistopol Canton in the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (TASSR). The district’s administrative boundaries underwent multiple changes, with a portion ceded to the newly formed Yamashinsky District in 1944. In 1963, as part of the administrative restructuring of the TASSR, Novosheshminsky district was temporarily dissolved, its territory annexed to Almetyevsky and Chistopolsky districts. However, it was fully reinstated in 1983.
Agricultural Focus
Novosheshminsky district predominantly revolves around agriculture, boasting thriving meat and dairy livestock farming, sheep breeding, and crop cultivation. The fertile lands yield crops such as spring wheat, winter rye, barley, oats, millet, peas, and sugar beets.
Economic Backbone
As the northwest periphery of the oil-rich region of the Republic of Tatarstan, Novosheshminsky District places a significant emphasis on the extraction of natural resources. Several oil-extracting companies operate within the district, contributing substantially to its economic landscape.
Cultural Heritage
The district takes pride in its cultural richness, evident through the existence of four museums. The Novosheshminsky District Local History Museum, the Museum of Folk Art and Life in the village of Erykly, the Museum of Generational Heritage in the village of Akbure (a branch of the Novosheshminsky District Local History Museum), and the Museum of the History of the village of Shakhmaykino named after Mirkhaidar Fayzi collectively preserve and showcase the cultural heritage of the region.
Archaeological Marvels
The environs of Novosheshminsk harbor archaeological treasures, including the Novosheshminsky Val, a 7640-meter embankment, and its parallel counterpart, the Elkhovsky Val, measuring 7681 meters. These remnants trace back to the Bulgar period, preserving the historical fortifications of the time. Another Bulgar-era fortification, the Tubylga Tau fortress, has been discovered near the village of Sloboda Yekaterininskaya.
Gold Horde Era
Dating back to the Golden Horde period (13th-14th centuries), the district hosts ancient cemeteries with gravestones, such as the Izgelyar, a “saints’ cemetery,” near the village of Tubylga Tau, and the Utyashkinskoye cemetery near the village of Tatarskoye Utyashkino. The village of Tatarskoye Alkino also features Muslim tombstones from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Historical Fortifications
In the mid-17th century, a Russian fort known as Novosheshminsky Ostrog stood on the right bank of the Sheshma River. Built downstream from the Starosheshminsky fort, it served as a relocation for musketeers. The embankment they constructed still stands in the village of Novosheshminsk, preserving a piece of the region’s history
Cultural and Architectural Heritage
The district boasts various cultural and architectural landmarks, including the Troitskaya Church from the late 18th century, the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, ancient gravestones on the “Saints’ Cemetery” dating from the 14th to 15th centuries, and the Zireklynsky Village Museum.
Preserving Nature
Novosheshminsky district is not only a repository of historical and cultural heritage but also a custodian of natural wonders. Three sites of regional ecological significance are under protection: Hydrological natural monument “Sheshma River”, Biological (botanical) nature reserves “Slopes of Korzhinsky”, and “Urganchinsky Botanical Reserve for the Conservation of Spring Adonis”.
Novosheshminsky district unfolds as a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From its ancient archaeological sites to the thriving agricultural landscape and the economic significance of oil extraction, this district is a testament to the rich tapestry that defines the Republic of Tatarstan. Visitors can immerse themselves in the district’s museums, explore its archaeological marvels, and appreciate the balance between historical preservation and ecological conservation in this unique corner of Russia.
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