This ancient Russian city is known to the world not only for its centuries-old history, beautiful landscapes and developed industry, but also for its sights. The city of Astrakhan, spread out on the banks of the Volga, is rich in its cultural and historical values, which we will have to get acquainted with.
A bit of history
The roots of the origin of Astrakhan go back to the depths of centuries. The first mention of the place where the city is today dates back to the thirteenth century. The official date of birth is 1558, when the construction of the wooden Kremlin began on the left bank of the Volga. It was then, after joining the Russian state, that a new page began in the history of the Astrakhan Khanate. However, the city received its official status later - at the beginning of the eighteenth century, under Peter I.
But historians have other opinions on this matter. Astrakhan local historian Vladimir Gusev believes that Astrakhan is already 1385 years old. The scientist believes that the appearance of the city cannot be dated to any particular year, since it isis a long process, expressed in political, economic and cultural development.
Some historians, examining the mythological descriptions of these places, are inclined to the version that the land of Astrakhan is very ancient - it is about seventy thousand years old!
Origin of the name
Today there is also no unequivocal version regarding the origin of the city's name. There are several legends. The first of them is connected with the tribe of Ases, which inhabited these lands. Brave warriors for their courage and honor shown in battles received from the khan a document that freed them from duties in favor of the Tarkhan state. In honor of this significant event, the Ases named the city As-tarkhan.
There is also an opinion based on data from a written source. In describing his journey, the Arab subject of Ibn Batuta tells that the city was named after a pious pilgrim. The Turkic Hajj, who chose this place for settlement, received it as a reward from the Sultan duty-free, or, as they said then, the Sultan made the pilgrim a tarkhan. Hence the name Hadji Tarkhan. As it developed, the village grew into a village, and then turned into a city.
The traveler Afanasy Nikitin also spoke in support of this name. He was in these places in the middle of the fifteenth century and claimed that Astrakhan is the Russian version, which is based on Hadji Tarkhan.
Astrakhan local historian Vladimir Gusev believes that the first name of the city was Aztargan, and it was founded around 625 by the Western Turkic Khagan Ozbulan.
Modern Life
The city of Astrakhan today is a large port center, which is of great strategic importance for the state, since through it cooperation with many Caspian countries is realized. This is one of the powerful industrial centers, which has a developed transport network and a favorable economic and geographical position as advantages. The Astrakhan region with its highways is included in the global transport system connecting north and south.
Astrakhan is rich in natural resources, allowing the city to develop various sectors of the economy. Fishing flourishes here. The light and food industries are well developed.
But the cultural and historical component is especially noteworthy. There are many museums and churches here. Among all the temples of such a historic city as Astrakhan, the Assumption Cathedral looks especially majestic. This is one of the main shrines of this region.
Sights of Astrakhan
Given the long history of this Russian city, one can imagine how many interesting things there are in it. Something is lost, but, fortunately, much has survived to this day.
One of the world's most famous attractions is the Astrakhan Kremlin, which can be considered the central monument of the city. This architectural monument, unique in its historical value and beauty, was created over forty years - from 1580 to 1620. He is the embodiment of the military engineering genius of those centuries, as well asa kind of visiting card of the city. Located on the highest hill, it is visible from everywhere.
The territory of the Kremlin covers several more sights, among which the most famous Orthodox church in Astrakhan is the Assumption Cathedral. Here is the bell tower of the Prechistensky Gates - the famous, highest tower of the city, more than eighty meters high. Astrakhan also has its own nature reserve, where you can learn about the true we alth of Astrakhan flora and fauna. There is a circus, many museums, a beautiful and well-groomed embankment, fountains and many other interesting places.
Astrakhan Kremlin
I would like to say a few more words about this city-forming place. Since 1980, this architectural ensemble has acquired the status of a monument of federal significance.
The Astrakhan Kremlin was created by the efforts of Moscow city planners: Mikhail Velyaminov, Grigory Ovtsyn and official Dey Gubastoy. Interestingly, plinths left over from the Tatar ruins were used as building materials.
About the history of the construction of the Astrakhan Kremlin, the development of the city, the expositions presented here, united in the historical and architectural complex of the same name, can tell a lot of interesting things. Of particular interest are the exhibitions located in the towers. For example, the Artillery, or torture, tower allows you to get an idea of how they were punished in those days in Russia. But this exhibition is open to visitors over the age of sixteen.
Expositions of the Red Gate tower tell visitors about the history and development of the Astrakhan Kremlin in different centuries. There is, for example, a photo exhibition called "Old Astrakhan", where you can see old photographs of the city of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, as well as their reproductions.
A lot of interesting things can be seen on the territory of the Kremlin. Also here is the Trinity Cathedral, St. Cyril's Chapel, Bishop's House and many other attractions that tell about such an ancient city as Astrakhan.
Assumption Cathedral
It is located on the territory of the Kremlin and is its most famous shrine. Its building majestically rises on the territory of the Kremlin and is noticeable from anywhere in the city and its environs. The height that the Assumption Cathedral (Astrakhan) has makes it one of the tallest Orthodox cathedrals in Russia and the world. This pearl of Russian Orthodox architecture was created by Dorofei Myakishev.
The temple has a two-tiered structure. On the first level, which is smaller in height, there is the so-called lower temple, the place where the remains of the Astrakhan priests rest. There are shrines with the relics of saints and holy martyrs.
The upper temple is tall and bright. Sunlight streams through two tiers of huge windows.
Like the Kremlin, whose story tells about the life of such a glorious city as Astrakhan, the Assumption Cathedral is also a landmark with a rich and eventful past.
Chronicle of the Cathedral
It starts with1560, when the first log church was built on this site, which by the end of the century fell into disrepair and was replaced by a more durable, stone one. However, this building was not destined to stand for long. The reason for the demolition of the stone church was its size, which did not accommodate the rapidly growing parish community.
And in 1699 they began to build the Assumption Cathedral (Astrakhan), the history of its construction stretched for ten years. The first obstacle on this path was the lack of material support from the state. Metropolitan Sampson took control of the construction and turned to the local merchants and landowners for help. The local nobility did not become greedy and collected a sufficient amount, inviting the best masters of Astrakhan to work. The architect Dorofei Myakishev was appointed the chief architect of the project.
The first architectural design was for a single-dome church. However, during construction, problems with its stability were discovered, and the master architect proposed a new five-domed project. And in 1710 services began in the church.
The revolutionary years made their own amendments to the life of the entire state, they did not bypass Astrakhan. The Assumption Cathedral was searched many times, and a large number of items of all church utensils were taken out. A huge part of it was melted down, and the cathedral was closed. Since 1922, it has been used as a warehouse, gym, shooting range and for other purposes.
By 1992, the temple was in a terrible state: the iconostasis was burned, the walls weredilapidated, icons destroyed. This year, the restoration of the cathedral begins. Divine services are first held in the lower church, and after a few years they were resumed in the upper one.
The iconostasis of the cathedral
This is the main decoration that in the pre-revolutionary years distinguished the Assumption Cathedral (Astrakhan). The iconostasis here was unique, as it rose to eight tiers. The church traditions of building temples in those days did not allow more than seven rows of icons.
The iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral before the revolution was decorated with the most beautiful icons painted by famous masters: Nikifor Popov and Ivan Andreev. Today, most of them have been restored, and it has acquired its eight-tiered height.
Where is Astrakhan
This amazing old Russian city is located in the Southern Federal District of Russia. In addition to the Astrakhan region, it includes five more subjects. The territory of the district is located in the south of the European part of Russia and belongs to the Volga-Caspian region.
Answering the question where Astrakhan is located, it should also be said that all of it is located on eleven islands of the Caspian lowland, they are connected to each other by means of thirty bridges. The main part of the city's population lives on the left bank of the Volga, and only a fifth - on the right.
