The city of Astrakhan: sights worth seeing, city tours

Although the history of Astrakhan is rooted in the depth of centuries, the city that is known today was founded in 1558. It used to be a small town that was part of the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates. If it were not for the Russian empire's desire to expand its holdings to the Middle and Lower Volga regions in order to have access to the Caspian Sea, the history of the region could develop in a completely different scenario.

Today the city of Astrakhan, whose sights have been perfectly preserved for 450 years, surprises travelers with its grandeur and beauty.

City `s history

The Russian history of the city began after in 1552, after the siege, Kazan fell. This decided the fate of the Kazan Khanate, who lost his influence in this territory. Astrakhan was taken in 1556, and this meant the end of the annexation of the Middle and Lower Volga region to Russia.

In view of the fact that the old location of the city was unsuccessful, since it was located in the open steppe on all sides, it was decided to build a new settlement on the left bank of the Volga on a high hill, which is a natural defense against raids.

Initially, the new city was built of wood and had an earthen rampart for protection, but since Ivan the Terrible was interested in a strong fortress in this territory, all means were thrown here - people, money, materials.

The reason was the attack of the Crimean-Turkish troops in 1569, which was repulsed, but showed the whole significance of Astrakhan. The construction of the new stone Kremlin marked the beginning of the construction of the city, which embodied the features of the Orthodox settlements with all the diversity of nationalities flocking here from the central part of Russia.

Construction of stone Kremlin walls was completed in 1589, and the construction of fortified towers was completed already in the beginning of the XVII century. In total, the fortress numbered 8 towers, three of which were entrances to the city from different roads.

The thickness and thickness of the walls surprised everyone who drove into the city. Astrakhan, whose sights are beginning today with the Kremlin, retained most of the buildings of that time. The most significant buildings at that time were located behind the Kremlin walls - the arsenal, the cellars with gunpowder, the monastery, the tower of the local nobility and the church.

Already in the first half of the 17th century Astrakhan became a large city with a rapidly growing population, well-developed trade and crafts.

Kremlin

The construction of the Kremlin begun under John the Terrible ended with the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich in the Time of Troubles.

The walls of three to 9.5 meters in height and three meters thick were an excellent protection against the encroachments of the Crimean and Turkish khanates to restore the former territory. The main entrance to the city was Prechistenskiye gates, next to which was the highest building of that time - the bell tower, consisting of 4 tiers.

The oldest, preserved since the construction of the Kremlin, is the Zhitnaya Tower, located on the south side. Once in its yard there were buildings for storing supplies in case of siege of the city.

The most powerful and reliably strengthened was the tower that emerged on the Crimean route and received the same name. The raids from the Crimean Tatars were frequent, but the resistance always resisted them.

Inside the Kremlin there were many military, civil and church buildings of that time, for example, the Assumption Cathedral.

Cathedral

On the site of that cathedral that you can visit today, there were at one time 2 churches, one of which was dilapidated, since it was wooden, and the second became too small for a fast-growing city.

Built in 1710, the new cathedral of Astrakhan is a real masterpiece of architecture of that time. The cathedral consists of 2 tiers, in the lower one there are tombs. They found the rest of the Georgian kings Vakhtang Six and Teimuraz II, as well as the Metropolitan of Astrakhan Joseph the PriestMartyr and other representatives of the church hierarchy.

The upper part of the cathedral is a spacious and full of light temple with two tiers of windows. If in 1702 the structure did not sink, then today the Assumption Cathedral would have one big dome. Because of this incident, a talented architect from the serfs of the Mines Dorothei changed the original plan, and 5 domes were erected, which today admire the guests of the city and the locals.

The consecration of the lower church was held in 1707, whereas in the upper church this event occurred only after the construction was completed in 1710.

Being the main cathedral of the city for several centuries, it was badly damaged at the time of the establishment of Soviet power. Only in 1992 it was transferred back to the church, and work began to restore it. Today it is an active cathedral, capable of appearing before parishioners in all its pristine beauty.

Bishops' Compound

Many preserved architectural monuments are proud of the city of Astrakhan today. Sights that were relevant to the time of the Kremlin's construction, not all have survived to this day, but the Bishops' Compound is a pleasant exception.

The farmstead was located on the southern side of the Assumption Cathedral and at the beginning of the 17th century it consisted only of the house of the bishop. By 1677, real stone chambers were built near it, and in 1709 a new superstructure appeared, which included the Cross Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands.

After the house of the bishop was damaged by a fire at the end of the 18th century, the third floor was built in it, and in the 19th century another one. Bishops' Compound as one of the oldest buildings of the city is listed on the reconstruction list, according to the plans of which all the later superstructures will be removed in order to restore the building to its original appearance.

Cyril's Chapel

Another symbol of antiquity is the Cyril chapel, located on the street. Trediakovskogo, 2 (Russia, Astrakhan). The cause of its construction was a miracle, revealed by the late rector of the Trinity Monastery.

Cyril died in 1576 and was buried in the monastery, and above the grave was built a small wooden chapel. It was built in violation of the canonical Orthodox rules, since the entrance to it was not from the west, but from the east.

The remains of the first hegumen of the monastery remained in its walls until 1677, but the image seen by the governor's wife and her servants, in which the aged Cyril stood on the coffin and lit the flame with a cross, saved Astrakhan from the fire.

In honor of this sign, the remains of the hegumen were reburied near the monastery, and above them a stone chapel was erected according to all canonical rules. In this form, she meets tourists and parishioners today.

White City

Historically, the Astrakhan districts were formed outside the walls of the Kremlin and represented several villages.

In 1631, residential and craft buildings, built on the east side of the fortress on the hill, were surrounded by a powerful wall and became known as the White City. Although this area was twice as large as the Kremlin, it was clearly not enough for all the settlers from Central Russia, so a new settlement called the Earth Town emerged behind it. The name is due to the fact that around the new areas built an earthen rampart with wooden fortifications.

The layout of the White City in modern Astrakhan has the same scheme as in the distant 17th century. Out of the buildings that have survived to this day, the Demidov Compound and the Shatrovaya Tower have been preserved, the only reminder of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery. Also more interesting are later buildings, such as houses of merchants from the East and mosques.

In addition to the old part, the city of Astrakhan has landmarks built at a later time, but have become significant in the architectural ensemble of this place.

Puppet Theatre

Although the Astrakhan Puppet Theater is believed to have been founded in 1986, the real home of the artists and their young guests appeared after moving to the former possession of the merchant Bashkin in 1991.

The two-story merchant building, built in the beginning of the XIX century, was bought back in 1889 by the merchant Grigoriev and rebuilt. Modern form it acquired only in 1910 after numerous additions. Until 1917, it housed banks and expensive shops.

The majestic structure, which was reconstructed in the early 90s of the XX century, became suitable for showing theater performances. The building of the puppet theater is on the list of architectural monuments of federal significance.

The monument to Gabdulla Tukay

The national poet Gabdulla Tukai is the founder of classical Tatar literature.

Tukay was born in Kazan in 1886, on April 26, and died there from illness in 1913, on April 15, before he reached his twenty-seventh birthday. The Tatar people perceived Gabdullah as their defender in the face of the oppressors. The poet took part in revolutionary movements since 1905, produced newspapers in which his exposing poems were printed, traveled extensively, was in Astrakhan, St. Petersburg, Ufa and other Russian cities.

During his short life Tukay left a big mark in the Tatar literature. In memory of the visit of the great poet Astrakhan on the territory of the former Tatar settlement, a monument to Gabdulla Tukay was opened in 2013.

Thus, the memory was restored of a man who united ordinary people of different nationalities in a common struggle for his freedom and dignity.

Attractions outside Astrakhan

Not only Astrakhan is famous for its historical buildings. Reviews of tourists speak of one unique attraction, located 130 km from the city. Here in 1965 excavations began that opened the capital of the Golden Horde, built by Batu in the middle of the 13th century.

"Shed-Batu" became a museum in the open air due to the fact that it was filmed the film "The Horde" (2011), after which there were scenery, as close to the historical era of the Golden Horde.

Today it is an independent museum in which further excavations of the ancient capital are made.

Astrakhan fishing

Not less of a tourist attraction is fishing in Astrakhan. The city at all times was famous as a place with a developed fishing industry.

From July to the end of October, fishing lovers come to this region, for the benefit of places and recreation centers there are many in Astrakhan. On the Volga, fishermen are waiting for a big catch from carp, catfish, white fish and perch. There are so many fish that even beginners leave with the catch.

Year-round tourism

Thanks to this abundance, fishing in Astrakhan is a lucrative tourist industry, new recreation centers are opening in places with the best biting. Astrakhan winter is no less attractive than during the summer holidays.

Taking into account the fact that all hotels and recreation centers are cheaper during the cold season, ice-fishing and winter sports fans prefer to come just at this time.