Astrakhan
Overview
Astrakhan is the capital of the Astrakhan region, and the oldest economic and cultural center of the Caspian region. It is located about 1,400 km southeast of Moscow, stretching along the Volga River coast for more than 45 km on 11 islands, connected with a large number of bridges.
The area formerly contained the capitals of Khazaria and the Golden Horde. Astrakhan was first mentioned by travelers in the early XIII th century as Xacitarxan. Tamerlane burnt it to the ground in 1395 during his war with the Golden Horde. From 1459 to 1556, Xacitarxan was the capital of Astrakhan Khanate. The ruins of this medieval settlement were found by archaeologists 12 km upstream from the modern-day city. The Astrakhan Kremlin is the city’s major historical and architecture highlight. It is a majestic ensemble of twenty-two monuments of defense, religious, and civil architecture of the XVIth – early XXth centuries. Saray-Batu is a tourist center dedicated to the history and culture of the Golden Horde Khanate, located in the Kharabalinsky district of the Astrakhan region, northwest of Astrakhan, near the village of Selitrennoye, on the site of the old capital Saray-Batu.
Other Astrakhan’s highlights include Dogadin State Picture Gallery, the largest art museum in the region, with a collection of works by famous Russian artists of the XVIIIth-XXth centuries, including the Russian avant-garde, and West European engravings of the XVIIth-XIXth centuries; the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater; the White Mosque – the oldest mosque in Astrakhan, built in the forms of late classicism; the Astrakhan State Natural Biosphere Reserve, that is included in the list of wetlands of international importance.
Sights
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ASTRAKHAN KREMLIN
The Astrakhan Kremlin is an architectural gem that has been standing since the XVIth century, which is unusual because during the XVIIth and XIXth centuries, many structures of the kind were demolished due to the need for building materials. The original wooden Kremlin was built in 1587, but was actually rebuilt as a stronger stone fortress in later years.
Visitors to the Astrakhan Kremlin can relax in the gardens surrounding its beautiful architectural ensemble, or go inside the unique two-floor cathedral built in 1699.
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FISHING (OR HUNTING)
The Caspian Sea provides plenty of fishing opportunities, while in the city you can catch sturgeon for their caviar or sterlet to smoke it afterwards. Another popular wildlife-related activity in Astrakhan (and in particular Astrakhan State Nature Reserve in the Volga River delta) is duck and goose hunting, which is a particularly nice choice during the cool
but not frigid early autumn months of September and October. -
LAKE BASKUNCHAK
One of Russia’s major salt basins, it supplies the nation with approximately 80 percent of its salt. In the past, people used to flock here to reap the health benefits of the salty water
and the clay, and legend has it that it is a healing place. A swim in the lake is comparable to a dip in the Dead Sea, although many swimmers bring their shoes because prickly
salt covers the bottom of the lake bed. The lake used to be an important stop on the Silk Route, as its seemingly endless supply of salt has long been a precious commodity. -
ASTRAKHAN NATURE RESERVE
Astrakhan Nature Reserve is one of the oldest reserves in Russia, established in 1919. It is covering an area including the islands and wetlands of the Volga Delta, where the Volga River enters the northwest sector of the Caspian Sea. Here tourists will be able to see various birds and rare aquatic plants as well as to visit the Museum of Nature. Established in order to preserve and research natural systems and genetic foundations of the Volga Delta and the Caspian coast, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve belongs to the International System of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO and is the part of the wetland of international significance Estuary of the Volga River. The “Ecological path” is organized in Damchik area of Astrakhan Nature Reserve (80-120 km from the city of Astrakhan). The route goes through 4 islands and visitors to get acquainted with diverse reserved inhabitants of the area. The
best time for visit is May-September.
Hotels
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GRAND HOTEL ASTRAKHAN
Number of rooms: 168
Distance to the city centre: 2 km
Distance to the airport: 10 km
Address: 69 Kuybyshev street, Astrakhan, Russia, 414056Grand Hotel Astrakhan is a 5-star business class hotel on the banks of the Volga river. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the main attractions of the city: the Kremlin, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Swan Lake, the Art Gallery. The hotel’s infrastructure features several restaurants and a lobby bar, Banquet and conference halls, a beauty salon and a SPA centre with a swimming pool, as well as car rental, 24h room service and free WiFi.
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AL PASH NOVOMOSKOVSKAYA HOTEL
Number of rooms: 54
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 9 km
Address: 18 Kirov street/4 Sovetskaya str., Astrakhan, Russia, 414000Al Pash Novomoskovskaya Hotel is one the greatest architectural monuments of the late XVIIIth century. It is a former trading house built according to the project of the architecture Alexander Digby in 1793 – 1795. Later the building became a hotel and was named “Novomoskovskaya”. The hotel was housed here up to the start of the rebuilding project in 2003; in 2014, the Hotel was restored by СС “MSD” founded by philanthropist and honorary citizen of Astrakhan Alikber Pashayev. And finally, the hotel threw its doors open again guests in February 2014. The new building is constructed with remaining of its historical looks and with due respect to modern quality standards.
The hotel is located in the very heart of the city’s historic and business centre. The main sight of the city – the Astrakhan Kremlin – is also nearby. The hotel’s luxurious interiors are
made in light colours. All guest rooms feature a satellite TV, WiFi Internet access, a minibar, a safe, air conditioning, a kettle, and an iron. The bathrooms are equipped with bathtubs and equipped with hair-dryers, bathrobes, and slippers. For your convenience Al Pash Novomoskovskaya Hotel offers a restaurant, several conference rooms, laundry, 24h room service, transportation to any part of the city, WiFi throughout the hotel. -
ZOLOTOY ZATON HOTEL
Number of rooms: 141
Distance to the city centre: 6 km
Distance to the airport: 2 km
Address: 60 Admiral Nakhimov street, Astrakhan, Russia, 414028Zolotoy Zaton is a four-star business hotel, conveniently located a few minutes’ drive from both the airport and the city’s major highlights, on the Volga riverbank. Guests have a chance to enjoy gorgeous views from their modern comfortable rooms, equipped with wireless internet access, satellite TV, air-conditioning, minibars, hairdryers, and mini-kitchens.
The hotel provides multiple options to help you organize your business meeting, conference or event. It also has two restaurants and a lobby-bar, a wellness centre with a gym, a sauna and a herbal bar to help you relax and unwind afterwards. -
PARK INN BY RADISSON ASTRAKHAN
Number of rooms: 132
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 10 km
Address: 29 Anri Barbyusa str., Astrakhan, Russia, 414056Right in the heart of the city, Park Inn Hotel is the perfect choice for your stay in Astrakhan. This stylish hotel is adjacent to the railway and bus stations, allowing easy access to all local attractions. This hotel’s contemporary rooms come equipped with everything you need, including free Wi-Fi and magnificent views of the Volga River. Enjoy fine dining at the on-site RBG Bar and Grill, one of the best restaurants in Astrakhan, and then unwind in the Lobby bar, open until midnight to treat guests with refreshing after-hours drinks and
picturesque views of the Volga River and the city landscape. The hotel’s amenities include a fitness centre, a 24h business centre, conference rooms, banquet halls, Airport shuttle, laundry and dry cleaning, 24h front desk services and free Wi-Fi. -
ART HOTEL
Number of rooms: 15
Distance to the city centre: 2 km
Distance to the airport: 11 km
Address: 81, Kurova str, Astrakhan, Russia 414000ART Hotel is located in the city centre, within a 10-minutes’ walk from Kremlin the Astrakhan Kremlin, the Drama Theatre and the Swan Lake. Each room features a TV, air conditioning, iPod dock, a private bathroom with a bath, a hairdryer and bathrobes. Extras include a DVD player. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel has a 24h front desk, a lounge, business centre amenities, a conference room, conference room, a gym, a restaurant and a bistro, an ironing room, parking with video surveillance, and a karaoke.
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AZIMUT HOTEL
Number of rooms: 200
Distance to the city centre: 1 km
Distance to the airport: 8 km
Address: 4 Kremlyovskaya str., Astrakhan, Russia 414000AZIMUT Hotel offers a panoramic view of the Astrakhan Kremlin and the Volga River. The hotel is just within a 10 minutes’ drive from the station and just 15 minutes away from the airport. The AZIMUT restaurant provides an opportunity to taste the local cuisine of the Astrakhan region for buffet breakfast and dinner. Fresh river fish and other quality ingredients will steal a way into your heart. AZIMUT Hotel offers facilities to hold your private or corporate business events. Four conference rooms for up to 350 people with modern equipment and air-conditioning as well as a team of professionals and banquet services to help you with it are at your disposal. We suggest that you enhance your event
with a group trip on fishing or barbecue party on the banks of the Volga River.
