A replica of Sarai Batu, built as a set for the movie The Horde.
The traveller counted thirteen large mosques and thirteen cathedrals, numerous bazaars and bath-houses.
Its population was multi-cultural.
The new city became Sarai Berke or New Sarai.
A city as large as Sarai naturally attracted enemies.
The city was eventually destroyed by Ivan IV of Russia in 1556.
This once beautiful city now lives again through the sets of the 2011 movie “The Horde”.
For filming the historical drama, a Russian production company built an elaborate replica of Sarai Batu.
The filming location was chosen very near the actual historic site.
The clay layer was added only in the exterior.
Today, the location has developed into a sort of open air museum.
