North Ossetia: Information for tourists. North Ossetia Sights of Ossetia-Alania

The main riches of North Ossetia are picturesque natural landscapes, unique historical and architectural monuments and ancient settlements that have preserved the energy of those who once lived here. The real pearls of the region are its gorges. Tseyskoye, Karmadonskoye, Kurtatinskoye. They fascinate with their wild beauty and attract numerous outdoor enthusiasts.

Those wishing to get to know the rich history of the Ossetian region should definitely visit the Dzivgis rock fortress, the Dargavsky necropolis, ancient sanctuaries, and the mountain villages of Tsamad, Tsimiti, and Lats. The republic is also famous for its ancient churches. The majority of the population adheres to Orthodoxy, but buildings of other religions and denominations can also be found here. Vivid examples are the Sunni mosque and the Armenian church.

The most interesting and beautiful places. Photos with names and descriptions of the main attractions

Guide – what to see and where to go? Excursions and routes. List of the best cultural tourism and active recreation sites!

Midagrabin waterfalls

The main attraction of the Midagrabin mountain valley, located on the border with Georgia. Eight snow-white multi-cascade waterfalls tumble down from the surrounding mountain peaks. They have been known for a long time, but only in 1995 it became clear that one of the waterfalls, Bolshoy Zaigelan, is the highest in Europe. Its height is 750 m. The waterfalls are pulsating, their fullness depends on the ambient temperature. Tourists are advised to have a passport as this is a border area.

Tseyskoye Gorge

A magnificent corner of nature. It is located at an altitude of 1300 m, the length from east to west is 23 km. It is famous for its healing mountain air, beautiful snowy peaks and glaciers, waterfalls, mixed forests, and thermal springs. Steep slopes are attractive for climbers and skiers. There are cable cars, hotels and mountaineering camps. Excursions to Mount Monk, Tseysky and Skazsky glaciers, and the ancient Rekom sanctuary are popular.

Monument to Uastirdzhi

A unique monument in honor of the patron saint of male warriors and travelers revered by Ossetians, whose image echoes St. George the Victorious, an Orthodox saint. Installed at the beginning of the Alagir Gorge, on the side of the Trans-Caucasian Highway. A gigantic bronze figure of a rider on a horse bursts out of the rock at a height of 22 m. It seems that it is simply floating above the ground. The monument was erected in 1995; the author was the famous sculptor Nikolai Khodov.

Recom

A sanctuary in the form of a log hut on the banks of the Tseydon River in the Tseysky Gorge. One of the most revered in North Ossetia. The ancient deity Rekom was considered by the local population to be purely “male.” They asked him for a successful hunt, a rich harvest, and protection. The house has 2 rooms, one of them is a prayer room, the other contains broken arrows. Only men can get inside the sanctuary, and only twice a year - during certain holidays.

Dargavsky necropolis

It is located in the Dargavsky Gorge, on the slope of a mountain, in the vicinity of the village of the same name. Historical monument. The famous "City of the Dead". It consists of hundreds of stone crypts resembling small houses with black tiled roofs. This method of burying the dead was practiced by local residents until the 18th century. And the very first above-ground burial grounds appeared here in the 9th century. Watchtowers were erected along the perimeter of the necropolis.

Karaugom glacier

It is located in the Karaugom Gorge, on the territory of the Alania Park. Natural monument. The total length is about 13 km. One of the largest glaciers in the entire Caucasus. It descends to a height of 1830 m and wedges itself into a forest - this is the only glacier located so low. Has two icefalls. The upper one flows down from the peaks of the Karaugomsky ridge, 3500 m high, its tongue is 800 m long. The tongue of the lower icefall is about 500 m. The Karaugomdon mountain river begins from here.

Castle "Fregat" in the village of Khanaz

Located on the territory of the Digor Gorge. Cultural monument of federal significance. A rare example of mountain architecture of the XIV-XVI centuries. It consists of a residential tower and outbuildings built for defense against enemies. Located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. Even today the castle looks formidable and majestic. It really resembles a frigate cutting through air waves. The walls of the tower are dotted with loopholes. There is a stone basement where prisoners were probably kept.

Akhsinta Canyon

Natural monument. Gate to Digoria. A narrow gap in the Rocky Range, 1 km long and 2 to 15 m wide, along the bottom of which the Urukh River flows. The sheer walls of the canyon are formed by cliffs of Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs flow along them into the raging river, turning into beautiful frozen waterfalls in winter. The depth of the canyon is 100-150 m. A bridge is thrown across it, popularly called the Devil's Bridge. It leads to the abandoned village of Didinata.

Dzivgis cave fortress

It is one of the most powerful fortification complexes in the Caucasus. Located in the village of Dzigvis, on the slope of the majestic Mount Kariu-khoh. It consists of 6 towers with loopholes, attached at different heights to the entrances to natural caves. At the foot of the mountain is the main fortification. Communication with other towers is via paths carved into the rocks. Age – 700 years. Also worth visiting in Dzigvis are the medieval crypts, ritual pillars and sanctuary.

Khetag Grove

Relict forest area of 13 hectares. Located in the Alagirsky district, 30 km from Vladikavkaz. Sacred place for Christians. Connected with the legend about the son of the Kabardian prince Khetag, who did not want to convert to Islam and hid from his pursuers in the depths of the forest. There is a prayer house and places for offerings here. Every year in July, Ossetians celebrate the national holiday Khetag. It is forbidden to light a fire, drink, break branches or take anything out in the forest.

Mykalgabyrta

One of the three main and most ancient sanctuaries on Ossetian land. Located in the Alagir Gorge. The cult of the deity of abundance and fertility was especially revered among the local population. People turned to him with requests for a rich harvest, increasing the herd, and getting rid of diseases. To this day, every September, the Mykalgabyrta holiday is celebrated in Ossetia. Local residents of all ages come to the sanctuary with offerings and offer their deepest prayers to God.

Ski resort Tsey

A popular recreation area in the Tseysky Gorge, in the valley between the Kalperovsky and Tseysky ridges. It is always sunny here, there is no wind, the snow is dry and loose, and remains until April. There are trails of several difficulty levels for snowboarders and skiers. The total elevation difference is about 1 km. There are 7 lifts. Many camp sites, hotels, and boarding houses have been built. In addition to skiing, forests, rivers and waterfalls, mountain air, and developed infrastructure contribute to a good rest.

Skazsky glacier

One of the largest and most accessible glaciers in the Tseysky Gorge. Descends from the Skazsky pass with a height of 3910 m between two peaks - Lagau and Adai-Khokh. The total length is about 3 km. According to experts, it retreats on average by 5 m per year. At the very bottom of the glacier there is a grotto. This is where the mountain river Skazdon begins. Its waters rush down quickly, forming riffles. You can climb to the glacier by cable car. In 20 minutes a distance of 1600 m is covered.

Alan Assumption Monastery

Located in the mountains of the Kurtatinsky Gorge, in the village of Khidikus. Orthodox, male. The highest mountain in Russia. Located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. Founded in 2000. The monastery complex was built in the Byzantine style from gray stone with red tiled roofs. There are two churches and a fraternal building. A few kilometers from the monastery there is a chapel where a copy of the icon of the Mother of God of Mozdok, the main shrine of the North Caucasus, is kept.

Table Mountain

Located on the border with Ingushetia. It is clearly visible from Vladikavkaz and is present on its coat of arms. It has a height of about 3000 m - on the Rocky Range it is one of the largest peaks. It is shaped like a table, has a flat top and steep vertical slopes. The remains of numerous ancient sanctuaries are preserved on the mountain. There are hiking trails that do not require special preparation. The most convenient one - the “path of ancestors” - begins from Ingushetia.

Vladikavkaz Zoo

In a small cozy corner, animals from all over the world are collected, including exotic ones and those listed in the Red Book. Their collection continues to grow. Pets live in spacious cages and enclosures, and you can feed them. There is a poultry house and a terrarium. The territory of the zoo is decorated with wooden figures of animals, many of the pens are brightly decorated. Fun holidays are held for children. A visit to the zoo can be combined with a visit to the children's railway located nearby.

Karmadon Gorge

An amazingly beautiful and at the same time dangerous place, at an altitude of 1 km above sea level. It became notorious in 2002 after the collapse of the Kolka glacier and an avalanche, which overnight buried the village of Verkhniy Karmadon and 120 people, including the group of Sergei Bodrov. Today, the area is being cleared of rubble, and a new road is being built to bypass the dangerous area. A huge monument to all those who died was erected near the site of the tragedy.

Mukhtarov Mosque

It was built at the beginning of the last century with donations from believers, as well as from the well-known oil industrialist and philanthropist M. Mukhtarov in the Caucasus. Architectural monument. The magnificent building is very similar in style to the Cairo mosques of the 10th-12th centuries. It is decorated with a large dome, 2 slender minarets 33 m high with gilded crescents, and a pointed arch with a balcony. During Soviet times, the mosque housed a museum. In 1996, it was returned to the Muslims of North Ossetia.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It was founded at the beginning of the century before last and is considered the oldest Orthodox church on the territory of the republic. Rising on Ossetian Hill. During Soviet times, the bells and dome were removed, and the building itself was occupied by a school, then a museum. In the 90s, the temple was returned to parishioners and restored. And today its blue and white facades look fresh and elegant. On the territory there is a necropolis with the graves of famous residents of North Ossetia, heroes of the Caucasian wars.

Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator

The red brick building with narrow windows, a high bell tower and gray domes was erected in the second half of the nineteenth century. Belongs to the Armenian Church. It was built with donations from parishioners from the Armenian diaspora. Count M. Loris-Melikov, a prominent statesman of those times with Armenian roots, made a great contribution. In 2011, the temple was reconstructed, during which an altar was discovered, presumably created at the beginning of the 19th century.

Memorial of Glory

The official opening of the memorial complex in honor of the Great Victory over Germany took place in 2005. The high central column is surrounded by a ribbon with high reliefs depicting the exploits of the Ossetian people during the war. At its top is a statue of St. George. The large-scale mosaic panel depicts battle scenes. Nearby is a sculptural composition on the theme of the annexation of Ossetia to Russia called “Ambassadors to the Empress.”

Art Museum named after M. S. Tuganov

Museum exhibitions are housed in a beautiful two-story mansion, which was erected at the beginning of the last century and is a historical and architectural monument. The museum was founded in 1939. Its holdings include about 6,000 exhibits. These are works of Russian and foreign artists and sculptors. A separate exhibition is dedicated to contemporary art of Ossetia. In 1992, the museum’s collections were replenished with paintings and personal belongings of the famous Ossetian master of painting and graphics Makharbek Tuganov.

St. George's Cathedral

It was erected 3 km from the center of Vladikavkaz, on the site of an old Russian cemetery. The building design is made in the Russian-Byzantine style. The model was the Church of the Archangel Michael, completely destroyed during the revolution. The opening of the new cathedral with 5 domes and a hipped bell tower took place in 2003, interior finishing work continues. The relics of St. George the Victorious are the main shrine of the temple. A library, a private Orthodox gymnasium, and a children's Sunday school are open to parishioners.

Alanya National Park

The picturesque alpine park in the southwest of the republic was founded in 1998. Located at an altitude of 800-4650 m above sea level. Has an area of 55 hectares. The main territory is occupied by rocks, screes and glaciers, a fifth is forests. The main water artery is the Urukh River. Among the inhabitants are 34 species of mammals and more than 100 species of birds. There are many attractions: the Tan glacier, the Chifandzar mountain swamp, the Galdoridon waterfall, medieval towers, caves, catacomb burial grounds, sanctuaries.

Galdoridon Waterfall

Located in the Khare Gorge, on the territory of the Alania Park. Natural monument. A mountain white-foam stream roars down from a cliff 30 m high, forming 5 cascades. At the foot of the waterfall there is a bowl of black slates and granite with a diameter of up to 10 m. Nearby there is an area for relaxing and viewing the local landscapes. Other names for the waterfall are Zhemchuzhina and Kroshkina, in honor of a climber who died in these places. One of the most popular tourist routes leads to the waterfall.

“Path of Miracles” in Kadargavan

The narrow Kadargavan canyon in the Kurtatinsky Gorge area is one of the natural wonders of North Ossetia. Its depth is 60 m, width is no more than 3 m. Above the cliff, along one of the walls of the gorge, there is a path with railings, walking along which you can enjoy the local landscapes. Along the way, you come across interesting objects: a giant boulder hanging between the rocks above a rumbling mountain stream, a bloodline sword sticking out of a stone, cages with wild animals.

Memorial complex in Beslan

Beslan School No. 1 has turned into a memorial where all the victims of the terrorist attack committed here in September 2002 come to worship. The scene of the tragedy was a gym with broken windows, torn walls with bullet holes, and charred ceiling beams. There are photographs on the walls, a cross in the center, and flowers, water bottles and toys next to it. Among those killed at the school were 186 children. A golden frame in the form of a memorial wreath was built around the hall.

"City of Angels"

The memory of the numerous victims of the Beslan terrorist attack resonates with pain in the heart of every resident of North Ossetia. A memorial complex called the “City of Angels” is dedicated to this tragedy. Here there are graves with pink granite monuments in which the dead children, parents, and teachers are buried. A monument was erected to the special forces who died during the liberation of the school, as well as the Tree of Sorrow monument in the form of female figures holding child angels in their arms.

Monument to Kurtati soldiers

An unusual monument is located at the entrance to the village of Verkhniy Fiagdon. It was installed for Victory Day in 1971. Dedicated to soldiers who came from the Kurtatinsky Gorge, who did not return from the front to their native mountains in 1941-45. The immense grief of mothers and wives for the dead is embodied in the image of a lonely yearning horse, bowing its head low. The author was local sculptor D. Tsoraev. The monument is installed on a small hill and is visible from afar.

Village Tsamad

A highland settlement founded in the 13th century. It is located 66 km from Vladikavkaz, at an altitude of 1 km above sea level. Today almost no one lives here, although at the beginning of the last century the population of the village was about 700 people. Ossetians believe that this is where their ancestors came from. The main attraction of the village is the ancient tower and ruins of the fortress walls. This is all that remains of the once impregnable defensive fortress of the Cherchesov family.

North Ossetia-Alania is a republic located in the North Caucasus. The hospitable region attracts with its natural beauty, architectural and historical monuments. This is a land of endless mountain ranges, fascinating gorges, and pristine nature. Every tourist will leave a piece of their heart here.

Monument to St. George the Victorious

The full name of the sculpture: “St. George the Victorious Jumps Out of the Rock.” It was sculpted by sculptor Nikolai Khodov in 1995. Located at the entrance to Vladikavkaz.

The monument is made of iron. According to the idea, St. George is attached to the rock with the outer part of the cloak. The sculpture is located at a height of 22 meters, from the side it seems that the rider is flying through the air. The weight of the monument is 28 tons, the palm of St. George the Victorious can accommodate several people.

Armenian Apostolic Church

The Church named after St. Gregory the Illuminator is located in Vladikavkaz, on the right bank of the Terek. This is the only Armenian church in the city. Construction was completed in 1868.

The church received parishioners even in Soviet times; it was almost blown up in the thirties. In 1960, the temple received monument status. It is still in effect. Already today, restoration work has taken place in the church.

Sunni mosque

The mosque is located on the left bank of the Terek, near the foot of Table Mountain. It has become a symbol of Vladikavkaz. It was built in 1908. The mosque is an architectural monument.

The second name is the Mukhtarov (philanthropist) mosque. During the Soviet Union, the mosque housed a local history museum. In the 90s, the house of prayer was given over to Muslim administration. Today it welcomes all Muslim believers.

Holy Dormition Monastery

The Orthodox monastery is located in the village of Khidikus, Alagir district. It was founded in 2000 by Bishop Feofan. Holy Archimandrite – Leonid (Gorbachev).

It is famous for being the highest mountain monastery in Russia. Services are conducted in Ossetian and Church Slavonic languages. The monastery does its best to promote the development of the Ossetian language and translate liturgical texts into it.

Cast iron Olginsky bridge

The bridge is located in Vladikavkaz. It leads across the Terek River and connects the city center with the part beyond the river.

The bridge was installed in 1863. It was cast in the UK from cast iron. Received the name “Olginsky” in honor of the wife of Mikhail Romanov (governor of the Caucasus). In 1958, the bridge was demolished and replaced with reinforced concrete. Figures of leopards were placed on the bridge. Trams were opened on it.

Monument to Mikhail Bulgakov

The sculpture was opened in 2012, located in the central part of Vladikavkaz, at the intersection of Mayakovsky Street and Mira Avenue. The monument was sculpted by artist Vyacheslav Tavasiev.

The cat Behemoth stands next to Bulgakov, and sheets of covered manuscripts hover over the writer’s head. It was not by chance that the sculpture was placed in Vladikavkaz. In this city, the Ossetian doctor took his first steps into literature, and his writing career began.

City of Angels

Memorial cemetery in Beslan. Victims of the 2004 terrorist attack are buried there. Between September 1 and September 3, militants took students, teachers and guests of School No. 1 in Beslan hostage. During this time, 266 people died, all of them were buried in the city of angels.

On the territory of the cemetery there is a monument “Tree of Sorrow”, a khachkar, which was donated by children from Yerevan. There is a monument to special forces soldiers who died during the storming of the school.

Bloodline Sword

The monument is located in the Kardavan Canyon. In the Kurtatinsky Gorge, the Path of Miracles is stylized; on it there is a stone split into two parts. The bloodline sword is driven into the stone.

According to legend, a hunter was walking along a narrow road and saw a traveler who was in trouble. The traveler was his blood enemy, the hunter was supposed to kill him out of revenge. But after the rescue, the hunter and the traveler made peace and, in honor of friendship, stuck the sword of the bloodlines into the stone.

Dzivgis rock fortress

Defensive structures located in the village of Dzivgis. The fortress consists of six caves of varying degrees of preservation. Stone fortifications are attached to the caves. Estimated time of construction: 13th – 16th centuries.

The Dzivgissa caves vary in size (some can accommodate up to a hundred people). They are made of stone, overgrown with grass, and it seems that the fortress is one with Mount Kariu-khoh.

City of dead

Located in the village of Dargavs in the Prigorodny district of North Ossetia. Consists of 97 different crypts. The City of the Dead is an Alan burial ground where people dating back to the 1st millennium BC are buried.

Next to the necropolis there are battle towers - symbols of Ossetian stone architecture. They played the role of well-defended fortified houses.

Karmadon Gorge

The gorge is located in North Ossetia. The Genaldon River, geothermal springs pass through it, and mineral water outlets have been spotted. In the upper reaches there are the Kolka and Maili glaciers.

Residents of Vladikavkaz often go to the Karmadon Gorge, considering it a good vacation spot. It is famous for the fact that in 2002 there was a catastrophic collapse of the Kolka glacier; a film crew led by Sergei Bodrov Jr. died under ice and snow.

Tseyskoye Gorge

The gorge in which the Tsey ski resort is located. Located in Tseysky district. Impressive with its pristine nature and mountain ranges.

The gorge stretches for 23 kilometers. 18 of them can be completed by tourists without mountaineering skills. Before entering the gorge there is a monument to St. George the Victorious. Tourists can see the Rekom complex of two sanctuaries, Mount Monk and several waterfalls.

The Tseyskoye Gorge is a land of magical beauty - majestic snowy peaks and glaciers, stormy and swift mountain rivers, foamy waterfalls, protected forests and alpine meadows. Thanks to such exceptional natural conditions, Tsey is a hub for hiking, mountaineering, skiing and excursion routes of varying complexity. People of various ages and professions come here from the most remote corners of Russia, the CIS countries and abroad to see with their own eyes and enjoy the beauty and grandeur of this pearl in the depths of the mountains of North Ossetia. In the Tseysky Gorge there is one of the most famous historical monuments of North Ossetia - the ancient Alan sanctuary of Rekom. The entire Tseyskoye Gorge is a state reserve, and the figure of the patron, Afsati, at the entrance symbolizes protection and patronage for everything living in this beautiful corner of the Caucasus.

"Uastirdzhi"
From the city of Alagir, the Ossetian Military Road leads along the wide floodplain of the left bank of the Ardona River, among the mountains of the Lesisty Range. Approximately 8 kilometers from the outskirts of Alagir, on the right in the direction of travel, an extraordinary sculptural composition attracts attention. This is Nykhas Uastirdzhi, as they call him in North Ossetia. This place is a dzuar - a holy place. The sculpture is attached to the rock and weighs 28 tons!
Uastirdzhi is the patron saint of men, travelers and warriors. A deity that was similar in its functions to Saint George, who is also revered in Christianity as the patron saint of warriors, travelers and men. In the Nart epic, Uastirdzhi is described as a celestial being, depicted as a formidable warrior on a white horse, wearing a white burka. It is believed that Uastirdzhi constantly carries weapons with him. Descending to earth, he checks people to see if they help each other in need and grief.

HE appears among people in the guise of a beggar. Women were afraid to pronounce the name Uastirdzhi and spoke about him allegorically “lagty dzuar” - “god of men.” They did not even have the right to participate in the festivities held in honor of Uastirdzhi. He is considered the enemy of thieves, swindlers, oathbreakers, murderers; HE is the patron saint of honest, noble people.

on the way to Tsey..
mountains of the Alagir Gorge

On the way to Tsey we were “greeted” by Comrade Stalin himself

Tseydon River

Valley of the Skazdon River. Hard midday light...

Tseydon River

Mount "Monk"
Mount Monk is the motionless and stern guardian of Tsei. It is similar in shape to skufia (a round velvet cap, the headdress of Orthodox monks). Mount Monk is a spur of the Azish-Tau ridge, towering 500 meters above the surrounding landscape. Its cliff below is covered with screes and overgrown with broad-leaved forest, and at the top it is bare. From a distance, the reddish rocks resemble a human face. The name of the mountain is associated with a legend that tells that a monk once lived on its peak and in a small cave. According to legend, the monk, supposedly trying to atone for his sins, wanted to carve a figure of a saint into the rock, but was only able to make one head. And now you can see the old man’s high cheekbones and frowning face above. The slanted eyes look out from under their brows, a massive flattened nose protrudes sharply, and the mouth is tightly clenched. Thick hair is tousled above the low forehead, and there is a white bald spot on the top of the head.
The image of the face is not the work of a person, but the result of the action of water and wind in tiled sandstones. The top of the mountain is flat, it rises 1058.3 m above sea level, composed of platy sandstones. At the top of the mountain there is a cave about 3 m wide and 7 m long. In the upper part of the mountain there is a cave 8 meters long, and at the top several mound dolmens have been preserved.
mountain height 2990
another portrait on a stone (I don’t know whose portrait it is, but it looks like Issa Pliev)
path along the cliff leading to the holy place "Rekom"
Sanctuary "Rekom"
The well-known Ossetian sanctuary Rekom is located in the depths of the Tseysky gorge (the southwestern branch of the Alagirsky gorge), 9 km along a high mountain road from the village. Buron, at an altitude of 1946 m above sea level.
Rekom (Oset. Rekom) is a character in the Nart epic and Ossetian mythology, a fertility deity, one of three, besides Mykalgabyrt and Tarangeloz, Ossetian sanctuaries. Recom was asked to send a rich harvest, successful haymaking and hunting. Rekom was a multifunctional deity; in addition to requests related to agriculture, people turned to him for healing from illnesses and protection from evil forces. The cult of veneration of Rekom was widespread in the Alagir Gorge and a holiday dedicated to Rekom was celebrated in July. During this holiday, which lasted a whole week, Rekom sacrificed numerous livestock. Only men could be present at the sacrifice, because the Rekom sanctuary was the center of the cult of Uastirdzhi, who was the patron saint of men.
According to the Ossetian Nart epic, at the place where one of the three tears of God fell, shed over the death of the Nart Batradz, the Rekoma sanctuary was formed, called in Ossetian Rekoma dzuar or Rekoma Uastirdzhi.
On the side of the entrance to the Recom, wide boards like shelves are fixed along the wall. On them there are a large number of heads of sacrificial animals, deer antlers, ram and aurochs skulls and just bones.
"floating heart"
Tourist base "Goryanka", or rather all that remains of it..
located near the current emergency response team of the Ministry of Emergency Situations near Mount "Monk". you can see what this base looked like before it was abandoned - www.travelvlad.com/7835660655/3871441288
the sweet pollen of summer still attracts butterflies
Skazdon Valley
Mountains of the Tsey Gorge.

View from the bed of the Skazdon river
Alpine camp "Tsey"

Alpine camp "Tsey"
Cars)
mountains of the Skazdon gorge. Filmed during the cable car ride up
Skazdon river. Filmed during the cable car ride up

Climbing the Green Hill
cannon for forced release of avalanches in winter

a group of young girls walked along the paths of the Skazdon Gorge as if along Vladikavkazsky Prospekt after class, there were no adults with them :)
Skazskaya Dolina

The lower part of the "tongue" of the Skaz glacier

Jurassic Valley) ..shadows falling on the mountains excite the imagination)
an endless road up... Such winding roads are encountered on the way to an amazingly beautiful place in North Ossetia - Tsey
and there’s a party on Olympus again))
"Afsati"
Afsati (Ossetian Æfsati) - in Ossetian mythology and Nart epic, the deity of wild animals, the patron of hunters, a celestial being. Afsati is one of the most revered deities in the Ossetian pantheon. Afsati, being the patron of wild animals, which were called "Afsati cattle", especially patronized deer and wild boars. Afsati is depicted as a one-eyed old man with a white beard, sitting on the high mountain Adai-Khokh, where he lived. From this mountain he carefully observed his numerous wild animals. Despite the fact that Afsati was one-eyed, he kept a vigilant eye on his pets and severely punished those who violated his decrees and laws. One of the laws established by Afsati was that every hunter to whom he gave an animal during a hunt had to share with the first person from his village a part of the carcass of the hunted animal.

The way back home... there are about a hundred kilometers left to travel, the mood is amazing, there are a lot of impressions. I'm already dreaming about a new trip :)

The republic will delight you with amazing landscapes - majestic mountains, beautiful gorges, crystal air, fast mountain rivers, and mineral springs. These are the local residents, who are famous for their hospitality, Ossetian cuisine and Ossetian toast. And the abundance and variety of historical and cultural monuments will pleasantly surprise you! While relaxing here, you will enjoy the amazing climate and visit the very heart of the Caucasus.

1. Kel volcanic plateau

This is a real find for an experienced tourist and traveler. The picturesque plateau is a zone of extinct volcanoes and volcanic lakes; it is located in the valley of the Ksan River at an altitude of 2600-3000 meters above sea level. Here you will see a landscape unique to the Caucasus and incredibly beautiful views. The main attraction of the plateau is Lake Kelskoe, its length is 1.7 km, its depth is 75 meters, and the height of the volcanic lake is 2925 m above sea level. Most of the time the lake is covered with ice, so to enjoy its true beauty, the best time to visit it is August. As you ascend to the lake, you will be able to admire the mesmerizing views, and you may also notice that the water of Lake Kehl changes color. Today the plateau has become a popular tourist route, as it is excellent for mountain climbs of low and medium difficulty categories.

2. Mount Halatsa

What climber doesn't love mountains? Halaca attracts mountain lovers from all over the world. This is the highest peak in the Republic of South Ossetia. The height of the snowy beauty is 3938 meters, it adorns the Main Caucasus Range and is located on the very border of South and North Ossetia. The name of the mountain is translated from Ossetian as “covered with frost.” The top of the mountain is covered with eternal snow; these glaciers feed the Ardona (the left tributary of the Terek) and Jodzhora rivers. Every year mountain lovers try to conquer this peak.

3. Kudar Gorge. Lake Ertso

The Kudar Gorge or Kudaro is a gorge in the South Caucasus, located in the Dzau region of South Ossetia. This is the highest mountainous region of the republic. There are picturesque gorges, mountain rivers, waterfalls and one of the most beautiful lakes - Ertso. The beauty of the lake will delight any traveler who loves ecotourism, but the reservoir became famous not for its picturesqueness, but for the fact that it abnormally disappears every 5-6 years. This is associated with the presence of underground caves. For this anomaly, Erzo was nicknamed the ghost lake. Height above sea level is 1711 meters. The lake is unique; it is the largest karst lake in the Caucasus.

4. Tskhinvali

The capital of the Republic of South Ossetia is an ancient city, famous for its ancient architectural monuments. There are a large number of temples and churches in the city; Tskhinvali was called the city of 37 temples. Translated, Tskhinvali means “the habitat of the highest caste of priests.” Not visiting Tskhinvali, its restaurants and not trying Ossetian pies, Ossetian cheese and Ossetian drinks means not visiting South Ossetia.

5. Tira Monastery

This is an Orthodox monastery in the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia, literally a 15-minute drive from Tskhinvali. Official name: Tire Bogoroditsko-Nativity Monastery. The monastery is located in a very picturesque place. It is located on the side of a mountain, and to get there you need to go down a small stone staircase to admire the truly great Byzantine-style buildings. The Tira Monastery is a real relic of South Ossetia and is a must-visit.

The Trans-Caucasus Highway is the only route that connects the capitals of North and South Ossetia. For tourists, this route to South Ossetia may seem attractive and interesting. There's a lot to see here. These are mountains with their snow caps, various caves, ancient fortresses and buildings of past centuries. There are many bushes and trees here, and all this creates incredible landscapes. The path from Tskhinvali to Vladikavkaz is only 170 kilometers - this distance is called a journey along the “road of life”.

7. Source of "Baguiata"

South Ossetia is famous for its mineral springs. In Soviet times, there were many sanatoriums and various recreation centers. Today, mineral springs are no longer in great demand among tourists, but they are also useful. Each gorge has its own springs, differing in their chemical composition. One of the most famous mineral springs in South Ossetia is considered “Bagiata”. The source itself resembles a small volcano, because it waves waves directly from the ground. The source is located on the road from the border checkpoint to Tskhinvali. Healing water removes any stones from the body; its saturation with minerals is confirmed by the stones painted nearby in bright red.

8. Goat Lake

This is a unique mountain lake, one of the most beautiful places in South Ossetia. On the way to the lake, you will see many beautiful landscapes. The lake is located near the town of Kvaisa, Dzau region. Koz is the only lake formed as a result of deep tectonic processes that blocked the natural flow of the hydrological system of the Kedy-Koma-Don River. The river, having no flow, formed a mountain lake with an inflowing and outflowing river.

9. South Ossetian State Reserve

The reserve can be called the ecological museum of South Ossetia; its flora and fauna are amazing in diversity. It was formed in 1977, and is located about two hours from Tskhinvali, on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. Area 6804 hectares. The territory of the reserve is located at an altitude of 1200 to 2300 m above sea level. The terrain is mountainous and very complex, with many different gorges. The reserve is famous for its relict forests and a large number of lakes and reservoirs. Among the relict species in the park are Imeretian buckthorn, alpine oak, chestnut and boxwood. The park also contains rare herbal plants, such as Robert's geranium or sweet woodruff. The park's fauna is rich in mammals. Here you can meet roe deer, Caucasian deer, as well as predatory animals: brown bear and steppe wolf. In addition, the Caucasian black grouse, mountain partridge, snowcock and many others build their nest in the park.

10. Zyldy Masig Fortress

Zyldy Masyg is an architectural monument of antiquity, translated from the Ossetian language means “Round Tower”. This amazing place served as a defensive structure. The fortress is located in the upper reaches of the Urs-Tualta gorge in the Dzau region of South Ossetia. For several centuries, the fortress served as a refuge for the local population; its walls were made of huge uncut stones and reached 5 meters in places. Now all that remains of it are ruins. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to climb them and enjoy the beautiful mountain air. In general, there are plenty of fortresses and temples in South Ossetia, but many of them require urgent restoration, otherwise they will become history only in memory or on paper...

The material is compiled from open sources.

· 01/15/2016

Located in a harsh mountainous area, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, whose sights are interesting and varied, preserves numerous stories and traditions of ancient times. Ancient fortresses and temples, mountain settlements and other monuments included in the list of historical and cultural heritage of the republic have been preserved here. Today North Ossetia is considered a center of mountaineering and mountain tourism.The capital of Alania, Vladikavkaz, which emerged in 1784 at the intersection of two military roads (Georgian and Ossetian), became the gateway to Transcaucasia. To this day you can see buildings erected in the Art Nouveau style. The city has more than 60 historical, architectural and cultural monuments that are landmarks of North Ossetia-Alania and are under state protection.

Monument to St. George the Victorious.

The patron saint of Alanya is St. George the Victorious, a saint to whom many churches, chapels, sanctuaries, and monuments were dedicated. In Vladikavkaz there is an unusual monument - “St. George the Victorious Jumps Out of the Rock.” Located at a height of 22 meters and weighing 2.5 tons, the bronze sculpture seems to float in the air.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Among the republics and states of the Caucasus, North Ossetia is the only one where the majority of residents adhere to Orthodoxy. Although you can find temples of other faiths here.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, erected in 1815, is called Ossetian. Famous people of the city are buried in its necropolis.

Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Armenian Apostolic Church, built in 1868 on the right bank of the Terek, still operates today. A memorial sign with a carved cross was installed on its territory, dedicated to the memory of the genocide of the Armenian people. Not far from the church stands the Vakhtangov house, where he was born and then lived with his family.

Sunni mosque.

On the left bank of the river rises another landmark of North Ossetia-Alania - the Sunni mosque, built at the beginning of the 20th century with donations from oil industrialist Mukhtarov. During the struggle against religion, they wanted to destroy it, but the building was preserved. It is still in effect today.

Holy Dormition Monastery.

Temples are still being built today. The highest mountainous Alanian Holy Dormition Monastery, despite the fact that it appeared only in 2000, became the spiritual center of Ossetia and Southern Russia.

In addition to churches, there are many monuments and wonderful places in Vladikavkaz. For example, cast iron Olginsky bridge And monument to M. Bulgakov.

In the village of Dzuarikau stands obelisk dedicated to the seven Gazdanov brothers who died on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War.

City of Angels.

In Beslan, they began to build a memorial complex “City of Angels”, which does not allow to forget the tragedy that occurred on September 1, 2004. Here is the “Tree of Sorrow” and a monument to fallen special forces soldiers.

The sights of North Ossetia-Alania are also famous for their gorges, which are not only historical and cultural monuments, but also resorts with balneological springs, as well as recreation areas for tourists and climbers.

Bloodline Sword.

In the Kurtatinsky Gorge you can see the “Sword of the Bloodlines,” symbolizing the strict morals of the mountaineers.

Dzivgis rock fortress.

In North Ossetia, you should definitely see the famous Dzivgis rock fortress with old towers and burial crypts. You can quench your thirst nearby, in the Kuratinsky spring.

City of dead.

In the Dargavsky Gorge there is the “City of the Dead”, consisting of crypts of different shapes and types. The oldest of them date back to the 9th century.

Karmadon Gorge.

In the Karmadon Gorge there is a resort with mineral and thermal waters. Here you can see the Kolka glacier. The gorge became notorious after a glacier collapse and an avalanche, which killed 120 people. Among them was the film crew of S. Bodrov Jr.

Tseyskoye Gorge.

It attracts the attention of tourists with a cable car, from the height of which you can admire the natural beauty of the protected area and two glaciers.

Below you can see other interesting places in North Ossetia-Alania that are also worth visiting.

Alagir Gorge

Big Zeigelan Waterfall, Vladikavkaz

Mount Monk, Tsey

Ski resort Tsori, Vladikavkaz

Palace of Baron Steingel, Vladikavkaz

Ancient village of Lisri, Tsey

Zaki Gorge

Vladikavkaz Zoo

Kolka Glacier, Vladikavkaz

Mukhtarov Mosque, Vladikavkaz

Alanya National Park

Nuzal Chapel, Tsey

Monument to Uastirdzhi on Transkam, Vladikavkaz

Memorial crosses Khachkar, Vladikavkaz

Park named after Kosta Khetagurova, Vladikavkaz

Portrait of Stalin on a large stone in the Tseysky Gorge

River Ardon

Spring in the Kurtatinsky Gorge

Khetag Grove, Vladikavkaz

North Ossetian State Nature Reserve, Tsey

Tseyskaya cable car, Tsey

Shiite mosque, Vladikavkaz

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