Sights of North Ossetia. Cultural tourism

Ossetian history has its roots deep in the past. Mysterious and beautiful, secret and immense Ossetia attracts many tourists from all over the world. What is it that attracts tourists? What sights of North Ossetia deserve special attention? This and find out in our article.

Kazbek

This is one of the most famous sights of North Ossetia. The height of the Kazbek mountain is 5033 meters. It is located on the border with the Russian Federation and Georgia. The beauty of Kazbek attracts many tourists and beginners alpinists.

One Georgian legend tells that one day Prometheus (Pkharmat), who was a giant (nart), was chained to the mountain. He once stole fire for people. For this the gods were very angry with him and chained to the mountain with iron chains. But this was not the end of the punishment. Every day a bird called Udod came to him and pecked his heart. This is such a beautiful and tragic legend.

Kazbek is an extinct volcano, which, according to scientists, last erupted about 4000 years BC. E.

For the first time the mountain was conquered by the English mountaineer Frechfeld in 1868. And 21 years later, in the same place, the Russians installed a flag that is perfectly visible from Vladikavkaz.

What do experienced climbers say?

When climbing Kazbek, there will be no special difficulties. There are two routes, and they are both beautiful and attractive in their own way. The first is laid through the north, the second - through the south (Georgia). According to experienced climbers, Kazbek is an excellent option for beginners conquerors of mountain peaks. Positive qualities for beginners are more stable weather conditions and rapid acclimatization.

But do not think that this mountain is so harmless. It is known that many years of sleep did not prevent the tragedy from happening in the Karmadon Gorge (this terrible incident claimed the lives of 130 people, including the film crew, which included the famous Russian actor Sergei Bodrov). As scientists found out, the tragedy took place due to the fault of Kolka glacier coming down from its place.

However, many people come here not only to conquer the peak of Kazbek, but also to enjoy the natural beauties that are hidden in the territory of this mysterious mountain.

What can you see on Kazbek?

At an altitude of 4 km there is an ancient monastery called Betlemi. This cave was discovered in 1947 by mountaineer Levan Sujashvili.

It should be noted that the archaeologists who investigated Betlemi later discovered an invaluable church banner of the 10th-11th centuries, a high cross, coins of the 15th and 17th centuries, a bronze candlestick, monastic cells, a stone pillar and graves without names and inscriptions. Later, archaeologists and researchers concluded that previously living monks hid treasures and valuables.

It should also be remembered that people who suffer from increased blood pressure should not go up to the very top, otherwise discomfort and dizziness may occur.

At this point the sights of North Ossetia do not end, then there will be many more interesting things.

North Ossetia State Nature Reserve

The reserve is located on the northern slope of the eastern part of the Central Caucasus. The area of these beauties is 30 hectares. The North Ossetian Reserve was established in 1967 on the territory of the Tseisky National Preserve in order to conserve some species of animals and plants.

Fauna

North Ossetia - Alanya is famous for its diversity of flora and fauna. So, on the territory of the North Ossetian reserve there are about 1500 tours. In forests (and they occupy about a third of the entire territory) live roe deer, wild boar, whose number is only 60 individuals. On the territory of the reserve are also inhabited by bison, mainly in broad-leaved forests. They were resettled in the sixties. Now there are more than 200 individuals.

The main representatives of the reserve fauna are bears. There are about 35 of them. The jackal also occurs in this area (in the Unal hollow), but it is rather rare. On the territory of the reserve you can see a forest cat, marten, raccoon dog, American mink, hare-hare and squirrel.

Among the birds, it is worth noting the black stork, the singing thrush, the blackbird, the wren, the dawn, the buzzard, the wiggler, the eagle owl, the crow, the jay, the gray owl, the large lentils (dwells in the mountains), and several species of tits and woodpeckers.

What else is rich in North Ossetia? The territory of this region, in particular, the North Ossetian Reserve, contains about 200 species of insects. Among them, one can distinguish a steppe pedal, a Caucasian ground beetle, a fragrant beauty, an ascalaph of the motley, which are listed in the Red Book. Also here you can observe the tarantula, mantis, phalanx and other species of invertebrates.

What to see in the reserve?

The sights of North Ossetia, in particular, the North Ossetian Reserve, are numerous. Among them, it is possible to single out the second largest karst cave in the region called Shubi-Nykhasskaya. The walls of the cave are covered with stalagmites and stalactites (they grow very slowly - for thousands of years). And there live bats listed in the Red Book .

It will be interesting to look at the cave towns, the Mesolithic site of the Shau-Lagat, various historical and archaeological sites, catacomb cemeteries, etc.

Traveling along the routes of the reserve, you can see the church of the 12th century, the Tseisky and Skazsky glaciers, observe the life of animals and birds, etc.

Sights of North Ossetia: City of the Dead

This place consists of 99 crypts, located in 4 floors. The buildings here are partially dug into the ground, and there are also ground ones with a gable or pyramidal roof.

According to some historical references, this settlement was created during the outbreak of the plague epidemic. In those days, the family, which was struck by a terrible disease, was closed in one of the crypts and quietly waited for its fate.

Few people know that at that time it was considered to be an expensive treat for Ossetians to get into the crypt, so only a few could afford to die in this kind of room.

In this city and to this day there is a terrible legend that disturbed the peace of the dead ancestors can pay with their lives. However, despite this, many tourists still come to a terrible place to see the crypts, still smelling of death and pain of the deceased Ossetians.

It should be noted that, of course, not all are being solved, and only during the daytime. Indeed, earlier this was a fully justified hearing, because it is not known how many more harmful bacteria could be stored in the walls of the crypts. But for today all the premises have been thoroughly studied and investigated. Therefore, at the moment we can say with confidence that the crypts are absolutely harmless to visit.

This landmark North Ossetia and to this day excites the minds of tourists who have visited there, because it is rather difficult to convey the emotions that you feel when you look at the crypts where innocent people once died painfully.

It should also be noted that on the territory of the City of the Dead is the largest in Ossetia tower, named after the Mansurovs.

Conclusion

So many miracles and riddles, such a variety of flora and fauna can boast only North Ossetia - Alania. Numerous sights, architectural monuments, a huge number of caves, historically significant buildings and stunningly beautiful nature fascinate every person who arrived in this region. Having visited once in North Ossetia, you will want to return here again and again, because such miracles are rarely where you meet.