ASTRAKHAN Astrakhan is an ancient city. Its history dates back to the 16th century.

It was founded in 1557 on 12 islands near the mouth of the Volga. But its history dates back to more ancient times. In the 13th century a large trade center Sarai Batu rose up in the Lower Volga. It attracted the merchants from far-away countries and was famous for its palaces and mosques. The city of NadzhiTarkhan rose up on the right bank of the Volga. It was the historical predecessor of Astrakhan. It was a large commercial center, famous far beyond the Lower Volga. It was the place of crossroads. "The Great Silk Way" connected the main regions of Europe and Asia. In 1556 tsar Ivan the Terrible attached the Lower Volga and Nadzhi-Tarkhan to Russia. Astrakhan became the southern outpost of Russia in the place where the main river of Russia flows into the Caspian Sea. In 1558 a wooden citadel was erected on the left bank of the Volga. It was the starting point of Astrakhan.Our town is unique because there are a lot of small rivers, a lot of bridges in it. Fish and aviar were the main objects of trade. Even nowadays Astrakhan is famous for its fish industry. There are a lot of fishermen in our region. Besides the people of Astrakhan are allowed to catch fish. So many people catch Caspian roach, dry the fish and sell at the market. But dried fish is very expensive nowadays. Our region is also famous for its gas industry. The gas is extracted and processed at the gas condensation plant in Aksaraisk. It does a lot of harm to our nature. The Astrakhan reservation is in danger now. The rivers that used to be so beautiful and full of fish are poisoned. The air that used to be so fresh is polluted. It should be said that ecological problems are everybody's concern. Astrakhan is a big industrial center of our region. There are a lot of plants and factories in it. There are a lot of places of interest in Astrakhan. Our Kremlin is really a unique creation. It wasn't built in a day. Its creation dates back to the 16lh century. But it was only the beginning. In fact it was built and rebuilt, partially destroyed and restored again. The main attraction of the Cathedral of the Assumption was erected in the 17-18lh centuries. In 1722 Peter the Great paid a visit to Astrakhan and on his initiative the Caspian fleet was created in the mouth of the Volga There are two marvelous cathedrals in the Kremlin"-the Troitsky Cathedral and the Uspensky Cathedral. The Uspensky Cathedral is the main adornment of the Kremlin. . It was designed by D. Myakishev. By its artistic value unique beauty, wonderful harmony of proportions it ranks among the greatest world famous architectural masterpieces. They say that when Peter the First saw the Uspensky Cathedral he exclaimed that there was no other cathedral of such beauty in Russia and ordered to erect a similar cathedral in St. Petersburgh. The tower "Red Gates" was built at the end of the 16 century as a command post during the defence of the fortress. Its height is 18,8 m.The Astrakhan State History and Architecture Museum is situated in the Kremlin. It. is open daily except Monday from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. The Department of Nature of the Museum will acquaint you with the geology, climate, flora and fauna of the Lower Volga. On display are unique exhibits characterizing the .material and spiritual culture of the Astrakhan region in the periods of the primitive society and the Middle Ages. Many authentic objects show the development of.the culture and the most important branches of the regional economy: fishing, salt output, ship-building and others through centuries up to our days.Astrakhan is famous for its old mansions, which are situated in the center of the town and on the embankments of the Kutum and the Kanava. All these mansions differ from each other by its design, that's why they attract everybody's attention. The best is the old wooden mansions decorated with carving. We had a unique wooden summer theatre "Arcadiya", in our park. It was so beautiful, it was the main tourists' attraction. But unfrtunately it was burnt down not long ago and now we can see it only in picture post-cards. Our town is not very big but it has four theatres: the Drama Theatre, the Children's Theatre, the Summer Theatre and the Puppet Theatre. Our Drama Theatre is rather old and it was reconstructed not long ago. We also have a nice concert-hall, which is named after Maksakova. Every year thousands of tourists visit this town, ancient and ever young at the same time.

ASTRAKHAN Astrakhan is an ancient city. Its history dates back to the 16th century. It was founded in 1557 on 12 islands near the mouth of the Volga. But its history dates back to more ancient times. In the 13th century a large trade center Sarai Batu rose up in the Lower Volga. It attracted the merchants from far-away countries and was famous for its palaces and mosques. The city of NadzhiTarkhan rose up on the right bank of the Volga. It was the historical predecessor of Astrakhan. It was a large commercial center, famous far beyond the Lower Volga. It was the place of crossroads. "The Great Silk Way" connected the main regions of Europe and Asia. In 1556 tsar Ivan the Terrible attached the Lower Volga and Nadzhi-Tarkhan to Russia. Astrakhan became the southern outpost of Russia in the place where the main river of Russia flows into the Caspian Sea. In 1558 a wooden citadel was erected on the left bank of the Volga. It was the starting point of Astrakhan.Our town is unique because there are a lot of small rivers, a lot of bridges in it. Fish and aviar were the main objects of trade. Even nowadays Astrakhan is famous for its fish industry. There are a lot of fishermen in our region. Besides the people of Astrakhan are allowed to catch fish. So many people catch Caspian roach, dry the fish and sell at the market. But dried fish is very expensive nowadays. Our region is also famous for its gas industry. The gas is extracted and processed at the gas condensation plant in Aksaraisk. It does a lot of harm to our nature. The Astrakhan reservation is in danger now. The rivers that used to be so beautiful and full of fish are poisoned. The air that used to be so fresh is polluted. It should be said that ecological problems are everybody's concern. Astrakhan is a big industrial center of our region. There are a lot of plants and factories in it. There are a lot of places of interest in Astrakhan. Our Kremlin is really a unique creation. It wasn't built in a day. Its creation dates back to the 16lh century. But it was only the beginning. In fact it was built and rebuilt, partially destroyed and restored again. The main attraction of the Cathedral of the Assumption was erected in the 17-18lh centuries. In 1722 Peter the Great paid a visit to Astrakhan and on his initiative the Caspian fleet was created in the mouth of the Volga There are two marvelous cathedrals in the Kremlin"-the Troitsky Cathedral and the Uspensky Cathedral. The Uspensky Cathedral is the main adornment of the Kremlin. . It was designed by D. Myakishev. By its artistic value unique beauty, wonderful harmony of proportions it ranks among the greatest world famous architectural masterpieces. They say that when Peter the First saw the Uspensky Cathedral he exclaimed that there was no other cathedral of such beauty in Russia and ordered to erect a similar cathedral in St. Petersburgh. The tower "Red Gates" was built at the end of the 16 century as a command post during the defence of the fortress. Its height is 18,8 m.The Astrakhan State History and Architecture Museum is situated in the Kremlin. It. is open daily except Monday from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. The Department of Nature of the Museum will acquaint you with the geology, climate, flora and fauna of the Lower Volga. On display are unique exhibits characterizing the .material and spiritual culture of the Astrakhan region in the periods of the primitive society and the Middle Ages. Many authentic objects show the development of.the culture and the most important branches of the regional economy: fishing, salt output, ship-building and others through centuries up to our days.Astrakhan is famous for its old mansions, which are situated in the center of the town and on the embankments of the Kutum and the Kanava. All these mansions differ from each other by its design, that's why they attract everybody's attention. The best is the old wooden mansions decorated with carving. We had a unique wooden summer theatre "Arcadiya", in our park. It was so beautiful, it was the main tourists' attraction. But unfrtunately it was burnt down not long ago and now we can see it only in picture post-cards. Our town is not very big but it has four theatres: the Drama Theatre, the Children's Theatre, the Summer Theatre and the Puppet Theatre. Our Drama Theatre is rather old and it was reconstructed not long ago. We also have a nice concert-hall, which is named after Maksakova. Every year thousands of tourists visit this town, ancient and ever young at the same time.

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