Astrakhan is one of the colorful cities in southern Russia. Many peoples lived in this territory. Walking along the streets, you can find traces of different peoples - Persians, Armenians, Hindus, Tatars. There is even a huge variety among religious attractions - from a classical Orthodox temple to a Jewish synagogue.
Many guidebooks call Astrakhan a city of merchants and fishermen. And this is not easy. Trade was active here for several centuries. During the Ottoman Empire, the city was at the crossroads of trade routes. When Astrakhan became part of the Russian state, it became the gateway to Asia.
With fishermen, everything is much simpler - Astrakhan is located on the banks of the Volga and the Caspian Sea. Back in Soviet times, the city turned into a center of fishing tourism. Astrakhan still retains this status.
What to see in Astrakhan first
Astrakhan Kremlin
It is best to start your acquaintance with Astrakhan with the main attraction of the city - the Astrakhan Kremlin. The construction of the defensive structure began during the life of Ivan the Terrible. Troubled times required decisive measures - and so the idea of building a Kremlin in Astrakhan appeared.
The Astrakhan Kremlin is located on an island washed by the waters of the Volga, Kutuma and Tsarev Erik. There is a museum attached to the Kremlin where you can learn more about the history and construction of the Kremlin. You can also sign up for a master class and have a photo shoot in historical costumes.
Tickets: for children under 3 years old - from 20 rubles, for students - from 30 rubles, for adults - from 50 rubles
Address: Trediakovskogo street, building 2
City embankment
The embankment of the Volga River is another attraction that is worth visiting during your holiday in Astrakhan. The total length of the embankment is 2 kilometers. During your walk you will see a bronze Lady with a dog and fountains.
If you are on a walk with children, they will definitely like the “Fish” and “Water Attraction” fountains. In the evening, the light and musical fountain turns on - it looks very impressive.
Address: embankment of the Volga River
Nikolskaya street
In the 19th century, Nikolskaya Street appeared on the city map during the construction of the Kos quarter. This is one of the oldest streets in Astrakhan.
Every house on Nikolskaya Street is a real architectural monument. For example, merchant mansions in the Art Nouveau style.
Nikolskaya Street stretches from the Astrakhan Kremlin to the city embankment. After visiting the Kremlin, you can stroll to the embankment and have a snack in one of the cafes.
Address: Nikolskaya street
House of merchant Tetyushinov
As you already know, in the old days Astrakhan was a shopping center. To this day, many merchant estates have been preserved on the streets of the city. One of them is the house of the merchant Tetyushinov.
You will not pass by this building, it is different from the typical buildings of that time. Wide two-tier panels with carved oak columns and rich decoration.
The house did not bring happiness to the merchant, and in Soviet times it became the property of the city. Since the 1930s, the building has housed communal apartments. Later the question of demolishing the house arose. But, fortunately, it has survived to this day. This is the only surviving wooden building from the late 19th century in the Lower Volga region.
Address: Kommunisticheskaya street, building 26
Market "Selenskie Isady"
If you want to feel the real atmosphere of Astrakhan, go to the Selenskie Isady market. This is one of the most famous markets in the city, which has existed for more than 150 years.
Local fishermen caught a lot of fish - they needed a place to sell. This is how the market appeared in Astrakhan. The market still sells local fish - dried, smoked, and caviar. You can try everything before purchasing.
Address: Pokrovskaya Square, building 3A
Astrakhan Kremlin
The Astrakhan Kremlin is a majestic fortress built at the beginning of the 16th century. as the first fortifications. Now it is a historical museum, which houses 3 temples, a torture tower, a green cellar, a place of execution, other exhibition halls and buildings that perfectly convey the atmosphere of past centuries.
The Kremlin is located on the street. Trediakovskogo, 2. You can get to it by bus from the railway station to the “Lenin Square” or “Oktyabrskaya Square” stops.
Brother's Garden
Opposite the Bell Tower of the Astrakhan Kremlin is the Brotherly Garden, a memorial park on the territory of which there is a monument and grave of Red Army soldiers. In the 1960s, the Eternal Flame was lit in the park and an obelisk was installed, which symbolize the memory of the soldiers who defended the fortress from the invasion of German troops in 1943.
Museum of Military Glory
The building is located at st. Akhmatovskaya, 7. Public transport stop - “Oktyabrskaya Square”. The museum tells about the exploits and life of the Astrakhan people, showing their way of life and weapons.
Exhibitions are available for visiting on any day from 10:00 to 17:00, except Wednesdays (closed).
What to see in Astrakhan with children
If you come to Astrakhan on vacation with children, then be sure to visit the Planet Park. This is the largest amusement park in Kazan. In addition to the attractions, there is a petting zoo, a pond with catamarans and a small waterfall.
There are many attractions to choose from, both for little ones and adults. Ferris wheel, autodrome, Ermark swing, Sparta carousel...
Address: Nikolay Ostrovsky street, house 146
Museum of Local Lore
In the museum you can get acquainted with the history of Astrakhan and the Astrakhan region, as well as with the local fauna and flora. Children will be interested in looking at the guns and military ammunition in the Armory Room.
Address: Sovetskaya street, building 15
Architectural landmarks
The sights of Astrakhan are not only a landscaped embankment and parks, but also architectural structures, most of which were built in past centuries.
Tetyushinov's house
The house of merchant Tetyushinov is a carved wooden building made in accordance with the standards of Russian architecture of the 19th century. In this place you can get acquainted with the traditions of leisure, crafts and folk culture during the reign of the All-Russian Emperors.
The house-museum is located on the street. Raskolnikova, 9 at the stop “st. Raskolnikov”, to which minibuses run with numbers 4, 13, 52, 26, 25, 43.
Monument to Prince Vladimir
The monument to Prince Vladimir, 10.5 m high, is installed directly opposite the Cathedral of St. Vladimir, which is located near the “street” stop. Radishcheva” (route taxis: 7с, 63р, 85с).
Vladimir was depicted in princely robes and wearing the famous Monomakh hat with his hand raised in a blessing gesture.
Monument to Kurmangazy
The structure was built in honor of the Kazakh folk musician and composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev. The height of the entire composition, including the pedestal, is 7 m. The sculpture of a rider on a horse fits perfectly into the space and forms a small square at the intersection of Sovetskaya and Kalinina streets.
The monument is located near the “Kaspiy Square” stop, which can be reached:
- by bus number 25;
- on minibuses No. 25s, 33s, 33sk, 47r, 86s.
Next to the sculpture is the Annunciation Convent and the Sea Garden, across the road from which is the Astrakhan State Conservatory.
Monument to Peter I
The majestic sculpture of Peter I is located in the center of the embankment, which can be reached in 5-10 minutes. from the “Peter Square” stop (route taxi No. 14c).
Architects and sculptors managed to fully convey his image: the king, looking towards the river, is dressed in ceremonial uniform, decorated with ribbons and imperial orders.
Sculpture “Lady with a Dog”
Not far from the Wedding Palace is “Lady with a Dog” - a bronze sculpture of a woman wearing a hat and holding an umbrella, next to which stands a miniature dog. A hotel of the same name with all amenities and low prices was built nearby.
Fountain "Petrovsky"
The sights of Astrakhan, including fountain complexes, are worth seeing if only because at night they take on an even more solemn and majestic appearance.
The “Petrovsky” fountain on the embankment (not far from the “Lady with a Dog”) is a multi-level water feature with musical accompaniment, whose repertoire changes every 60 minutes.
What to see in the vicinity of Astrakhan
Saray-Batu
There are attractions not only in the center of Astrakhan, but also outside the city. 130 kilometers from Astrakhan there is a historical one. Scientists suggest that the capital of the Golden Horde was once located here.
Now Saray-Batu is a real open-air museum. For the film "Horde", real scenery was recreated, which was preserved after filming was completed.
It is better to come here on a tour with a guide who can tell you more about the Golden Horde and the creation of the city.
Ticket: for adults - 400 rubles, children under 12 years old - free
Address: Selitrennoe village
Sturgeon farm "Beluga"
There is a sturgeon farm 45 kilometers away. An area of 20 hectares contains about 250 tons of sturgeon fish!
The sturgeon farm operated back in Soviet times. In 1990-2000, the number of sturgeon fish decreased so much that the production of this type of fish was limited. The Beluga farm was one of the first to raise sturgeon and beluga in captivity.
At the farm you can buy hot smoked sturgeon, fish pates, fish soup sets, frozen fish and caviar.
Address: Narimanov city, Water divider, lock No. 32
Astrakhan embankment
The sights of Astrakhan give the city a European look: in addition to cathedrals and temples, travelers note the long and cozy embankment, which originates at the Wedding Palace. A walk along the river offers views of the local beauty that residents are proud of.
Square named after Heydar Aliyev
The square is an area with installed fountains, flower bushes and a monument dedicated to the President of Azerbaijan (1993-2003).
For family entertainment, the park has a children's playground “Dream”, which contains a large number of different slides and attractions.
Cathedral of St. Vladimir
Walking further along the embankment, you can see the Cathedral of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir - one of the main Orthodox cathedrals in the city. The building resembles structures from the 19th century. with white walls and light green domes. Opposite the cathedral there is a monument to Prince Vladimir. The area around the temple is always clean, cozy benches and flower beds invite you to walk in this place.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a favorite vacation spot for local residents. In the middle of the lake you can see a snow-white arch surrounded by real swans. Nearby there is a planetarium with fairly low prices (about 250 rubles per ticket) and fascinating exhibitions.
The attraction is located in the very center of the city, at the intersection of Lenin Square and Admiralteyskaya Street.
The area named after Lenin
The area named after Lenina is the main walking alley in Astrakhan, which has a European appearance: light granite pavement, combined with the white walls of the nearby Kremlin, sculptural compositions. The main pride of this square is the Neva-Volga fountain complex, evenly distributed throughout the territory.
Assumption Cathedral and Bishop's Compound
Address : st. Trediakovskogo, 2, Kremlin Telephone Website : astrsobor.ru Opening hours : 08.00-19.00, seven days a week Cost : free
Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Church is located on the territory of the Kremlin; when built in honor of the 900th anniversary of the baptism of Rus', it was the largest building in all of Astrakhan. Coincidentally, the illumination of the construction site coincided with the day when the Synod adopted a decree on the solemn celebration of the religious holiday.
During Soviet times, many churches were destroyed and blown to the ground. But the Assumption Cathedral survived, although it was closed for a long time and played the role of the city’s bus station. They say that the preservation of the historical monument was facilitated by one riot that occurred in the 60s of the 20th century. To protest the demolition, one woman climbed up and tied herself to the cross on the topmost doll. The rest of the Astrakhan residents stood in a ring and lit fires, not allowing the equipment to approach the temple.
Bishop's Compound
The courtyard began with the construction of the Bishop's house in the 17th century on the territory of the Kremlin. The building then grew and became chambers. In the 18th century, a temple named after the Savior Not Made by Hands was erected there.
Then the third and fourth floors of the main building were completed.
It is noteworthy that on the façade you can see ancient tiles with scenes of Alexander the Great. Reconstruction of the building is still underway, with plans to demolish the top two floors to restore the house to its 17th-century appearance.
On the façade of the building, original tiles with scenes from the life of Alexander the Great have been preserved. They plan to reconstruct the bishop's courtyard in Astrakhan and give it its original appearance by demolishing the superstructure.
Planetarium
It is located on the territory of the Druzhba Park in a building known as the “pavilion”. It was built in the mid-20th century in the traditions of classicism and resembles buildings of the 19th century.
Guests are invited to visit the “Star Hall” , where, sitting comfortably in a chair, you can admire the view of the starry sky.
Planetarium
Circus
Close to the stop of the same name on the street. Kakhovsky, 1a there is a circus building in the form of a round structure with a large dome on top. Circus performances are held all year round, their cost is more than 500 rubles, depending on the type of show.
You can get to the “Circus” stop by any public transport:
| Bus | Minibus |
| 9n, 118 | 81C, 82C, 85C, 86C, 92R, 101, 108, 113, 139, 140, 183, 190.47 rub, 47C, 53C, 61C, 62C, 63R, 64R, 66C, 67C, 70C, 72C, 76C, 77C, 77C, 77C, 77C, 77C, 77C. 80s, 1p, 2s, 5s, 11s, 12s, 14s, 16s, 17s, 17s, 21s, 24s, 27s, 30s, 30s, 38s, 43s. |
Circus opening hours: from 9:00 to 18:00, and the ticket office - from 10:00 to 19:00.
Children under 5 years old are admitted free of charge, but are not provided with a separate seat.
Stories, routes and tips from tourists with photos
What to see from the sights of Astrakhan in 2 days is a must, and what is not worth attention - you will find tips in the reviews of tourists. Travelers share their honest impressions of the city and its tourist attractions. In reviews, tourists write about unusual locations in the city, tell how to plan a route by the hour and where to spend leisure time. From tourists' reports you will learn where to buy branded Astrakhan souvenirs more profitably and where you can try local cuisine at an affordable price.
- “Shall we take a walk around Astrakhan?” — photo album from Vladimir.
- “Travel from Volgograd to Astrakhan...” - a report from Vladimir about a trip to Astrakhan during the May holidays.
- “Astrakhan Sketches”: day 1 and day 2 - a series of reports from Sergei Makhinin.
All reviews about trips to Astrakhan
Photo: © Sergey Makhinin
John the Baptist Monastery
Address : st. Magnitogorskaya, 9 Phone : 8 (8512) 510536 Website : https://www.ioanno.ru/ Opening hours : 09.00-18.00, seven days a week Cost : free
St. John the Baptist Monastery was founded by Metropolitan Savvaty outside the walls of the White City, right on the banks of one of the tributaries of the Volga - Kutum. Over its long history, it was rebuilt several times, rebuilt, remodeled, in the 18th - about 4 years there was an infirmary here, and in Soviet times, the 20s of the 20th century, there was a dormitory in the premises. At the end of the 90s of the twentieth century, the territory was again given to the monks.
Now the monastery is famous on Astrakhan soil not only for the beauty and originality of its churches, but also for its active Orthodox activities. Since 2000, there has been a Sunday school for children, catechetical courses of the Astrakhan diocese for novices from other monasteries, services and liturgies are held regularly.
The Skimen choir, whose harmonious voices resound within the walls of the temple, actively performs outside it, in various competitions and festivals.
Lover's Bridge
The Lovers' Bridge crosses the Kutum River and connects the two banks of the Red Embankment. According to tradition, the newlyweds, after visiting the Wedding Palace, walk along the embankment to the bridge, where they tie ribbons on a stylized tree with spreading metal branches.
Map of attractions in the central part of Astrakhan
Nearby, on opposite sides of the bridge, there are comfortable 4-star hotels with clean and spacious rooms.
The city of Astrakhan has an amazing history that is felt in each of its attractions. Numerous architectural structures of a religious and entertainment nature turn the city into the main cultural center of the Lower Volga region.
Article design: Mila Friedan
Churches, temples, mosques
What to see in Astrakhan in one day for those who are attracted by churches, churches or mosques? See for yourself!
- Intercession Cathedral – Pokrovskaya Square, 6.
- John the Baptist Monastery - st. Magnitogorskaya, 9.
- Blagoveshchensky Novodevichy Convent - st. Sovetskaya, 29.
- Temple-Cathedral of St. Prince Vladimir - st. General Epishev, 4.
- Kazan Church of the Mother of God - st. Chekhova, 10.
- Temple of St. John Chrysostom – st. Donbasskaya, 61.
- Roman Catholic Church, Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the church is not permanently active, but masses and organ music concerts are regularly held here. Address: st. Babushkina, 81.
- Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery - after the Trinity Cathedral in the Astrakhan Kremlin, this was the second monastery in the city. Unfortunately, the only thing that remains of its former grandeur is the northeast tower. Address: st. Communist, 11.
- Worship cross Khachkar is an Armenian worship cross and three-arched stele. Address: Park "Armenia".
- The White Mosque is the oldest Muslim mosque in Astrakhan. People of any religion can visit it. Address: st. Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, 41.
- The Red Mosque is currently the permanent residence of the Mufti of the Astrakhan region. Address: st. Kazanskaya, 62.
- Black Mosque – Address: st. Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, 48.
Nikolskaya street
Nikolskaya Street is a unique monument of Astrakhan, in addition to the fact that it is simply pleasant to walk along it, looking at buildings preserved from the 17th century, it is also notable for the fact that it was here that Leonid Gaidai’s wonderful film “Cupid” from the trilogy “It Can’t Be!” was filmed. At that time it was called Rosa Luxemburg Street.
By modern standards, the street is short and starts from the Volga embankment. Here are some notable structures on it:
- Tavrizov's apartment building is the most noticeable building with a spire in the film frame. From the back it looks like an impenetrable fortress due to the powerful brickwork. Now the Academy of Water Sports, Astrakhan branch, is located here.
- Mochalov's tavern and Churbakov's house. Spectacular buildings appear in the frame behind the backs of the main character Anatoly Amursky and the cleaner boy.
- Puppet Theatre. He is also featured in the film. Young spectators will be very interested in attending the performances of the troupe. The façade of the theater is overloaded with details and a bit chaotic.
Triumphal Arch
To the left of the planetarium is the Arc de Triomphe, which opens the entrance to Governor Anatoly Guzhvin Avenue. The arch, built for the arrival of Emperor Alexander II, stood until 1980.
A new one was built on the same site using more reliable materials in 2017. A musical fountain is installed next to the arch .
Triumphal Arch
Trinity Cathedral
Address : territory of the Astrakhan Kremlin Opening hours : closed
The Trinity Cathedral was erected on the territory of Astrakhan back in 1576 by Abbot Kirill. The latter was the first missionary in these places, whom Ivan the Terrible sent here. The temple burned several times and was rebuilt. Next to it they built the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Church of the Most Holy Presentation. In those days, it was customary to build several religious buildings nearby, since, as a rule, one was a warm temple for winter services, and the second was a cold one, intended for summer liturgies.
After 1700, when the Trinity Cathedral was under the jurisdiction of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, it underwent difficult times, gradually falling into decay. Only in 1819, at the expense of the local wealthy merchant Lev Fedorovich Abezyanin, the building was restored. But in the first period of Soviet power, all the interior decoration was destroyed, the iconostasis was burned, and warehouses were built inside.
Now it stands dilapidated, looted, closed to the public. Only the outer part of the temple has been restored: helmet-shaped domes, crosses and white stone walls reaching towards the sky.
