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.
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.
KARAUGO GLACIER: THE FROZEN SILENCE OF THE MOUNTAINS
Karaugom is the largest glacier in Digoria.
Its area was previously about 35 square meters.
km., and now – no more than 20 sq. km. The ice tongue drops to 1,800 meters, confidently crossing the permafrost zone. Glaciers are natural attractions of Ossetia. The mentioned formation feeds the Karaugomdon River - it flows directly from the ice grotto. Karaugom has two rich icefalls,
one of which barely squeezes through the Karaugom ridge from a height of 3.5 km. The second, lower one is much smaller, the length of its tongue reaches only half a kilometer. The name of the canyon translates as “blind gorge”, since you can get into it only along the surface of the icefall. A trip to Ossetia invariably includes a visit to ancient Karaugom.
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, the cast-iron Olginsky Bridge and the monument to M. Bulgakov .
In the village of Dzuarikau there is an obelisk dedicated to the seven Gazdanov brothers who died on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War.
MIDAGRABIN WATERFALLS: FANTASTIC HORIZONS
The Midagrabin valley is called the tract of waterfalls,
because about fifty magnificent cascades flow from the local rocks.
The most famous in Ossetia is Big Zeygalan
- a recognized local landmark.
A delightful stream falls from a 750-meter height
and sometimes it seems that it flies into the depths of the gorge straight from heaven. When looking at the sights of Ossetia, tourists will encounter photos and descriptions of the Midagrabin waterfalls first of all. Although as recently as 10 years ago, their fame was much weaker. In 2002, a disaster associated with the sudden collapse of the Kolka glacier made travel through the Karmadon Gorge impossible. Therefore, now you have to get to the wonderful cascades along the mountain serpentine of the Kurtatinsky Canyon.
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.
What to see: sights of North Ossetia
Dargavs
The city of the dead, the ancient necropolis, is the most popular attraction of the republic. Crypt houses are scattered on the hillside against the backdrop of high mountains. Inside, through small windows, skulls, bones, and coffins in the shape of boats are visible. The spectacle is at once picturesque, impressive and thought-provoking. Dargavs is located 43 km from Vladikavkaz; by car you can cover this distance in about an hour, driving through the picturesque Karmadon Gorge.
Entrance: 100 rubles*.
Valley of Midagrabin waterfalls
From the stone wall of the mountains surrounding the valley, jets of eight waterfalls with a height of 120 to 750 meters fall down. In winter they freeze completely, and in November they dry out almost completely . By the way, the highest waterfall in Europe and the fifth highest waterfall in the world is located here - Big Zeygalan. We recommend visiting Dargavs and the Midagrabin Valley in one day - they are located not far from each other. The distance from Vladikavkaz is 55 km, you can overcome it in an hour and a half. True, you won’t be able to get to the waterfalls themselves by car; you’ll have to walk the last 3 km.
A tour of Dargavs and the Midagrabin Valley can be complemented by a stop at the swing over the abyss (42.837878, 44.330508) and the Kurt Tower (42.850484, 44.316506) on the descent into the nearby Fiagdon Gorge.
Tsey (ski resort and glacier)
The Tseysky glacier is incredibly picturesque. And most importantly, you can go up to its tongue itself, touch it, take a photo, see the thickness of the ice above your head... And all this - during a long walk, but accessible to almost everyone.
The duration of the trek is about 10 km. It takes about five hours, including rest at the glacier and return.
An alternative for those who are not confident in their abilities is to take the ski cable car up. It offers a view of the neighboring glacier - Skazsky (you won’t be able to get close to it, just look from the side).
The distance from Vladikavkaz to the Tsey resort is 89 km; by car you can cover it in about two hours. On the way, be sure to visit the monument to Uastirdzhi (the patron saint of men and the most revered saint in Ossetia) in the Alagir Gorge. His huge figure seems to be carried out on horseback from a cliff towering above the route (42.958899, 44.211817).
Ancient Ossetian villages (Lisri, Tib, Galiat, Kamunta, Tsimiti)
Mountain villages and watchtowers are a classic image of the Caucasus. The largest and most picturesque of the Ossetian villages:
Tsimiti (Alagir Gorge, 54 km from Vladikavkaz); Lisri and Tib (Mamison Gorge; 100 km from Vladikavkaz, on the road you will see the Zaramagskoe reservoir); Galiat and Kamunta (Digor Gorge, 120 km from Vladikavkaz).
Karaugom Glacier
Another very beautiful trek, but this time it requires a certain level of endurance: you will go on a hike for the whole day, you will have to walk 8 km in one direction only. It is necessary to obtain a pass to the border zone in advance on the State Services website or at the unit of the Border Directorate of the FSB of Russia in the village. Dzinaga (you will have to wait at least an hour for registration), where the track begins.
The path along the edge of the gorge goes through picturesque bridges, thickets of rhododendrons and leads to the tongue of the glacier. From the main vantage point (42.837078, 43.707899), watch the ice giant slide down the mountains into the valley.
You need to take water, a snack and a passport with you on the route to obtain a pass.
The distance from Vladikavkaz to Dzinaga is 120 km and three hours by car.
Ossetian art objects
Photo: Sergei Afanasev / shutterstock.com
For several years now, the guys from the Mah Kond creative workshop have been installing thematic art objects in the most significant and picturesque places in North Ossetia. They will perfectly complement any tourist route, become a backdrop for selfies, and at the same time introduce you to the culture of the region.
Currently, 10 objects are ready, the most famous of them are the letter of the Ossetian alphabet Æ, installed between Fiagdon and Dargavs, the “Scythian akinak” at the entrance to the Midagrabin Valley, the “Cornucopia” near the village of Buron and “Khisyn fandyr” near the Galiyat waterfall.
More details on the studio's Instagram.
Ossetian cuisine
The most popular dish in Ossetia is the pie of the same name. According to traditions, this dish must be served and placed on the table in a certain way.
For tourists, this is tasty, inexpensive and accessible food. The fillings are very different: meat, cheese, potatoes, pumpkin, beet tops and even wild garlic. Prices vary from 200-250 rubles* for a huge pie with any filling except meat (it will cost about 400 rubles*), and there will be more meat in it than dough.
Note: outside of Vladikavkaz, small cafes and points selling pies and kebabs close early, around 18:00.
*Prices valid at time of publication
Most popular resorts
North Ossetia is one of the calmest republics of the North Caucasus. The last armed ethnic conflict occurred in 1992. The only real danger for tourists is horsemen driving cars.
The recreational and tourist base “Harp” in the village of Akhsau, opened in 2015, has become incredibly popular.
Minimal but sufficient comfort, beautiful place, all-inclusive tours. Perhaps the ideal place for a family holiday in nature. The Taymazi sports and health tourism base is the best place for the young and active. A great chance to try your hand at paragliding.
Fiagdon is the closest mountain resort to Vladikavkaz. Here you can stay in one of the most famous art hotels - “Fiagdon”. The location and proximity to the best restaurant in Fiagdon, “Valley of the Sun,” make the choice of the hotel obvious.
An alternative to a serious hotel is a youth tourist hotel. The prices are moderate, everything is of good quality, but without comfort or frills. Fiagdon has a large selection of private houses that are rented out to vacationers - from modern designed villas to timber cottages and old dachas.
In Tsey, a favorite among tourists is the Vertical Hotel. The cost of living there is 4000 per room with breakfast and lunch.
Directly from the hotel, the trail leads to a beautiful waterfall. The only problem is that there is no Wi-Fi and the mobile Internet works very poorly.
An alternative to “Vertical” are cheaper ones:
- "Victoria";
- "Fairy tale";
- the iconic Soviet alpine camp "Tsey".
The options for overnight accommodation in Vladikavkaz are varied: from the hostel with the very accurate name “One” to the “Alexandrovsky” hotel with an honest four stars. This hotel is one of the best in the North Caucasus. We can also recommend the Imperial Hotel, it has a solid three stars.
There are several three-star hotels in the city that cost 2–2.5 thousand rubles per room - half the price of the Imperial. There is also an exotic place to stay overnight in the historical center of the city - a tent camp in the art space "Portal".
Preparing gifts
Gastronomic delights, clothing and products in the national style—travelers have plenty to choose from in Vladikavkaz as gifts for friends and relatives.
The markets also sell good woolen mittens, socks, sweaters and hand-knitted hats. And leather products - shoes, belts, bags, wallets - are best purchased in stores. The prices are quite affordable.
For women, we recommend buying silver or gold jewelry - earrings that look like thin lace, a bracelet or a pendant in the national style. There is a large selection of them in jewelry stores and souvenir shops.
Men usually carry decorative daggers, the handle of which is decorated with carvings and the blade with engraving. Prices for such gifts start from 800 rubles.
Ossetian dagger - as a souvenir of the trip.
Pay attention to locally produced ceramics - vases, wine jugs, mugs, plates. The prices are incredible - for example, a jug can be purchased for 400–500 rubles.
For these purchases, we advise you to look into the shops “Ossetian Souvenir” (Mayakovskogo St., building 15), “Souvenirs of the Caucasus” (Mira Avenue, building 46), “Fatima” (Mira Avenue, building 16).
Don't leave Vladikavkaz without delicious gifts. We advise you to buy local churchkhela at the market; it costs from 30 to 50 rubles. Also take dried fruits - apricots, dried apricots, figs, prunes. In October, these products are fresh - made from new harvest fruits.
Churchkhela is a sweet souvenir for relatives.
Don't pass by the spice counters. Take it by weight - with a reserve for all your relatives. This is beneficial because you will certainly receive a discount for a large purchase.
And don't forget about the cheeses. For them, it is better to go to the Central Market (Kuibysheva St., building 1). On the road it is better to take a chechil or a braid, but if the journey home is short, then you can bring both soft and pickled cheeses without loss. You will be surprised at the prices: a kilogram of these products costs on average 500–600 rubles.
Many tourists try to buy alcohol with them. But keep in mind that decent cognac is not locally produced, but of Georgian origin. But araka - Ossetian vodka - is worth attention. The homemade product is especially praised, not the factory product.
Araka - try it yourself and bring it to your friends.
If you want to buy local wine, take it not from the market, but from a cafe. There they will fill a container of the volume you need and pack it.
A wonderful gift is sweets. You can buy chocolate products from the small Damzoff factory in the supermarket.
Where to stay in Vladikavkaz
Arriving in Vladikavkaz for a few days, you can choose urban or suburban housing options. The first are hotels up to 4 stars, apartments and hostels, the second are country hotel complexes, tourist centers and guest houses. Most of them are located in the most popular tourist locations - the Fiagdon and Tsey gorges. In terms of the level of service and comfort, many are not inferior to the best hotels in Vladikavkaz itself, but will be very convenient for those who choose a route that includes getting to know the city and the richness of its surroundings.
- Vladikavkaz Hotels
- Hostels for Budget Travelers
- Flats and apartments
When booking accommodation on Booking.com there is cashback, details on the page: Cashback promotion for Tourist. RU
Photo: © Natalia Semchina
