7 Miracles of Astrakhan Region

Nurmanov Radmir and Kildaliev RezvanMade by

1. Saray Batu Saray Batu was one of the most developed centers of Golden Horde.

Archeological expeditions have found out rests of potter’s craft workshop of manufacture of irrigation utensils. Some coins were found there too.

Decline of the city began in 1395. Saray Batu was destroyed finally in 1480 and was gradually left by inhabitants. The unique and richest city was situated on the coast of the river Akhtuba, approximately 115-120 km above Astrakhan. It’s rests are known now as Selitrennoe . Destruction of Saray Batu began at the end of XVI century because of extraction of bricks for the construction of Russian Astrakhan. Bricks and swept from the city were used in the construction of settlements and cities of the low Volga.

Now each person can get acquainted with the history of the capital The complex will consist of a stationary exposition in one of rural houses and covered glass pavilion on a place of the excavation. Soon a museum complex will appear in the area of excavation of this unique and the richest monument of archeology.

2. Church in Ilyinka village Ilyinka is one of small villages of Astrakhan region. There are only

14 yards in the village now. But it’ s known not only in our region. What is it famous for? A wooden old church is situated here. It has became a place of pilgrimage. People come here to recover from illnesses. This church has a wonder-working icon on which the wonderful image shows a face of Kazan icon of Bozheya Mater.

On September 25, 2002 a group of pilgrims found out that a substance called mirra began to appear on the icon . But it wasn’t the first case in this church.

3. The Astrakhan Kremlin

The Astrakhan Kremlin. The Astrakhan Kremlin. In 1558 a wooden citadel In 1558 a wooden citadel was erected on the left bank of the Volga. It was the was erected on the left bank of the Volga. It was the starting point of Astrakhan. 500 boats carried timber, starting point of Astrakhan. 500 boats carried timber, workers and streletses (members of military corps workers and streletses (members of military corps instituted by Ivan the Terrible and enjoying special instituted by Ivan the Terrible and enjoying special privileges) from Nizhny Novgorod down the Volga. privileges) from Nizhny Novgorod down the Volga. The manager of the construction works was the The manager of the construction works was the experienced architect Ivan Virodkov.experienced architect Ivan Virodkov.

Already in 1569 the wooden fortress could resist the Already in 1569 the wooden fortress could resist the siege of the Turkish and Tatar troops. The strategic siege of the Turkish and Tatar troops. The strategic interests of Russia in the South-East demanded interests of Russia in the South-East demanded further fortification of Astrakhan. The stone citadel-further fortification of Astrakhan. The stone citadel-(the Kremlin) was being built since 1582 to 1589. It (the Kremlin) was being built since 1582 to 1589. It was erected on the bank of the Volga by the was erected on the bank of the Volga by the architects from Moscow - Mikhail Velyaminov and architects from Moscow - Mikhail Velyaminov and Dei GubastyDei Gubasty. . All the towers of the Kremlin were All the towers of the Kremlin were divided into several levels which were connected by divided into several levels which were connected by thethe staircases inside the walls. staircases inside the walls.

The main adornment of the Kremlin The main adornment of the Kremlin is is the Uspensky the Uspensky Cathedral that was being erected from 1698 to 1710 Cathedral that was being erected from 1698 to 1710 by a surf architect Dorofei Myakishev who managed by a surf architect Dorofei Myakishev who managed to embody in his stone masterpiece the idea of the to embody in his stone masterpiece the idea of the spiritual strengthening of Russia.spiritual strengthening of Russia.

4. The Caspian lotus Lotus was a sacred flower of ancient Egyptians. It’s a

symbol of beauty, cleanliness, aspiration to the sun. Scientists don’t know, whether the Caspian lotus, has been kept from the tertiary geological period. Some people consider that the flower was brought in delta of the Volga by birds from the southern countries. Other people believe, that the lotus was delivered here by wandering Kalmyks-Buddhists.

Lotus fields in delta of the Volga are the biggest blossoming territories on our planet. They achieve 15 km at length and 3 km at width. The general area of delta of the Volga and the Caspian beach exceeds hundreds hectares! What is the force of this attraction of this flower? Some people consider lotus is an universal remedy from all illnesses. Other people believe, that it is a plant, which brings simplification in their painful sufferings to people. It removes stress and return immune system to balance and stability. It restores nervous system. Inhabitants of Astrakhan possess the greatest and the most beautiful natural miracle in the delta of the Volga.

5. The Mountain Bogdo

The mountain Bogdo is the largest sight of vicinities of the lake. It is a sole mountain, which represents a hydrochloric dome. The mountain is 150 meters above the sea level. Bogdo becomes higher and higher every year. Bogdo is the most esteemed mountain. Sometimes Bogdo is called signing mountain. Bogdo is some kind of a geologist-paleontologist museum in the open-air.

6. The sturgeon The sturgeon is one of the most ancient

alive essences on our planet. The Russian sturgeon is the most valuable fish in the Caspian Sea. It’s length can be up to two or more meters. It can weight 60-65 kgs. Our sturgeon lives till 45-50 years. Caviar of the sturgeon is a very valuable product. But the number of the sturgeon becomes fewer and fewer. So some fish-beading factories have been organized in the Astrakhan area.

7. The Oak of Peter I In June 1722 the Russian Tsar Peter I paid a visit

to sunny Astrakhan. The Tsar was getting ready for a march to Persia and that was why he was personally interested in the fortification of the southern outpost of Russia. On his initiative the Caspian fleet was created in the mouth of the Volga. Long before the fleet was founded the first Russian military ship “Orel” (The Eagle) was sent to Astrakhan to guard the trade routes.

The legend says that Peter I had planted an oak on Yablochkov Street and had left a print of the hand on a plate.

The END The Project was made by:

Kildaliev Rezvan and Nurmanov Radmir