Assumption cathedral of Astrakhan Kremlin

The construction of the Assumption cathedral began in 1699. It was consecrated 12 years later, in 1711. In that time this 75-meter cathedral was one of the brightest examples of Moscow Baroque in Russia. And it remained intact to our days.

At the end of 17 century it was not easy to build such a magnificent cathedral but wealthy Astrakhan merchants could afford this. Peter I was amazed by the beauty of the cathedral during his visit to Astrakhan in 1722.

The Assumption Cathedral is a two-floor building. The burial vault of Astrakhan bishops and the warm winter church is on the lower floor and the roomy summer church with two tiers of windows is on the upper floor. The enormous original iconostasis did not survive to our days but this did not detract from the grandeur of the cathedral.

The relics of the priestly martyr Metropolitan of Astrakhan Joseph and Georgian tsars Vakhtang VI and Teymuraz II are kept in the burial vault of the cathedral. The Assumption Cathedral also has the vast Lobnoye mesto (place of execution). But as in Moscow, it was intended not for executions but for announcing tsar ukases or decrees.