Saray Batu - the capital of the Golden Horde

170 km above Astrakhan stretches in the steppe village Selitrene (Kharabala district of Astrakhan region). Looking at the wide desert steppe surrounding the village, it is impossible to believe that here was once one of the capitals of the world, one of the largest centers of civilization. But, nevertheless, it was here, on the hills and hills of a modern village, that the Golden Horde once settled. From here raids and campaigns of conquerors were made, and here the ruins of the huge Golden Horde city of Sarai-Batu, called Selitreny settlement, rest.

The nitrate settlement is located on the left bank of the Akhtuba River and extends along the coast for about 13 km and about 3 km deep into the steppe, not counting the suburbs stretching for tens of kilometers. The study of the settlement by Russian and foreign scientists began in the 18th century. However, annual, large-scale excavations of this unique and richest archaeological monument began only in the second half of the 20th century. The research of the Volga archaeological expedition gave interesting finds and opened before us the life of a huge and luxurious capital of one of the greatest empires in the world.