The oldest fortress in Russia is Naryn-Kala in Derbent. Derbent fortress Naryn Kala What is the significance of Naryn Kala
The Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent is an ancient fortress that is an integral part of the walls and the surrounding landscape. Today this architectural and landscape site is protected by the state as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Construction
The history of the Naryn-Kala fortress goes back more than five thousand years. In the 6th century, an unusual structure was erected by Shah Kavad. A little later, his son Khosrow closed the passage between the Caspian and the Caucasus with a fortress wall, the length of which reached forty kilometers, strengthened the Naryn-Kala citadel and built a port. The Naryn-Kala fortress came into the possession of Russia in the 19th century.
The main part of the fortress is made of different stones, thanks to which Naryn-Kala is well preserved. In several parts of the fortress there were gates decorated with interesting decorative elements. By south side there is a staircase. There were on the walls observation platforms, which are now open to tourists. From here you can see old and new Derbent, the beautiful domes of numerous mosques.
Name
There are several legends about the name of the fortress. The most popular one is Naryn-Kala, translated as “Solar Fortress”. Most often it is called that way. The second legend is more romantic. The Persian Shah named the fortress in honor of his wife Naryn - translated as “tender”. Other sources claim that Naryn means “small”. Some legends say that on the territory of the fortress there grew a lot of orange blossom - narynch - and at first the citadel was called Narynch-Kala, and later the last letter was lost.
Description
Derbent fortress Naryn-Kala was built on a high hill. On its north-eastern side there are rocks. It was they who made the fortress more reliable. The citadel occupies a significant area - more than four hectares. The height of the walls reaches twenty meters, projections and two large towers are attached to them, the cross-section of which forms a square. In total, the fortress has 73 towers, which are located throughout the fortress.
On the central platform you can see the guardhouse, which was erected in 1828. Today this building houses paintings depicting Derbent. The outside of the guardhouse is decorated with cannons and anchors from Tsarist times. Above the gate there is a sculpture of a lion and two columns, a figure with a fox lying between its legs, and two stones on which lionesses are painted.
Today the gate looks the same as it did twelve centuries ago, as the lions and part of one of the columns have been preserved. At the northern wall you can see the mysterious passage “Doomsday Gate”. It was founded in the 10th century on the city side, resulting in the formation of a small room, fenced from the outside. In 2004, archaeologists found that more than a thousand years ago this place was considered a portal opening a passage to the other world.
Functions
The Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent had an administrative purpose. There was a court, an office, an underground prison, and also a church, which was an almost exact copy of Italian churches. The temple was built around the fifth century BC. Today there is little left of it.
The fortress preserved many original household items from different eras - tools, ceramics, jewelry, and jewelry. All of them are kept in the museum, which operates in Naryn-Kala. Active life here began in the Bronze Age; in the Middle Ages, valuable dye and opium were produced in Derbent.
Peculiarities
An interesting solution to the fortress was two water tanks, which made it possible to store a supply of life-giving moisture for a long time. Thanks to them, the citadel was strong in defense. Water was supplied to the reservoirs using pipes from a spring. Several times the fortress was conquered because the attackers added poison to the water.
Another structure that ensured the high viability of the fortress was the baths, where there was hot and cold water. Life here was relatively safe and comfortable.
At different times, palace complexes were created on the territory of the fortress, the ruins of which can still be seen today.
What to see
Part of this attraction of Derbent is a rectangular reservoir - this type of structure was common in the hot and arid areas of the country. At the northern wall you can see a structure - “Zindan” or an underground prison. Legends tell of the horrors of the gloomy structure. The people called him “Gedyan Gyalmyaz” - translated “he who enters will not return.” Experts believe that this is one of the underground reservoirs, which was later used as a prison.
Several stone anchors with holes for ropes or chains were dumped in the courtyard of the fortress. They were found in the sea near Derbent. Scientists claim that the history of stone anchors began in the first millennium BC.
The Caspian travel agency offers to visit Derbent and the Naryn-Kala fortress as part of tours and excursions.
Fill out the application on the website or call us and we will select a trip for you.
The Naryn-Kala fortress, located in Dagestan, is real business card Derbent. Today this legendary citadel is included in the UNESCO list as a significant historical and cultural monument global significance. Despite the fact that not all parts of the fortress have survived to this day, this unique structure surprises with its scale and beauty. Inside are the famous water cisterns and reservoirs, thermal baths, the Juma Mosque, as well as the oldest cross-domed church. The last two buildings are currently the oldest churches in the Russian Federation.
The exact age of Naryn-Kala is unknown. Scientists agree that the construction of the complex took several centuries. In particular, the earliest buildings date back to the sixth century, and the later ones were completed by the fifteenth.
History of the Naryn-Kala fortress
The history of Derbent itself goes back more than five thousand years. According to the facts, the construction of the citadel began in the sixth century under the leadership of Shah Kavad. The work started by the Shah was continued by his sons and grandsons. The fortress wall, which was built by the son of Shah Khosrow the First Anushirvan, reaches a length of 40 kilometers. As planned, it protected the territory from barbarians who reached the city from the northern part through shallow water.
Place and purpose of construction of the fortress
During the early Middle Ages, the Persian state was regularly attacked by barbarian nomads. That is why, over time, it was decided to close the Caspian Gate between the sea itself and the spurs belonging to the Dzhalgan ridge. This could only be done by building a huge and powerful wall, which was absolutely impossible to break through with weapons of that time. The citadel was built not far from Derbent and for a long time only guards lived there, guarding the passage inside around the clock. Subsequently, it turned into a significant commercial, administrative and cultural center.
Citadel Power
The impressive defensive capability of the fortress is amazing to this day. Moreover, it was built in such a way that all the features of the relief were taken into account. The thickness of the walls reaches three meters, and in terms of its shaped structure from above, the entire fortress looks like an irregular polygon. All this is located on an impressive territory of 4.5 hectares.
Naryn-Kala from the inside
Everything on the territory of the complex was thought out in such a way that it could withstand the longest possible sieges. In order not to leave the territory without water, underground channels were dug, which filled internal reservoirs directly from mountain springs. One of these reservoirs was the local Christian church, which was built back in the fourth or fifth century, but was later abandoned, as a result of which it gradually almost completely went underground. Surprisingly, this church has survived to this day. It is believed that this is the oldest Christian temple in Russia.
On the vast territory of the fortress, there is the Juma Mosque, which is also considered one of the oldest in Russia, since it was built here in the eighth century. Starting from the fifteenth century, a madrasah was built next to the mosque.
New buildings inside the Naryn-Kala fortress
The Middle Ages were remembered in the history of Naryn-Kala for the fact that the Derbent khans settled here, who made the citadel their main residence for some time. In the eighteenth century, the khan's chambers were built here, and a little later - a divan-khana (office), zindans (prison basements) and several more administrative buildings. Among the Russian buildings is the guardhouse, which was built in the nineteenth century.
Amazing archaeological site
Archaeologists began working in Naryn-Kale only in the twentieth century to find out the true age of the citadel. The excavations made it possible to obtain more detailed data about the local settlements. In particular, it turned out that a fortified settlement on the territory of Naryn-Kala existed back in the eighth century BC. In addition, a large amount of ash was generated, which indicates the numerous fires that occurred here.
A huge open-air museum
The citadel is part of the State Historical and Architectural Reserve, established in 1989. The protected zone includes 2.044 hectares of land. Such an impressive territory contains about 250 cultural and historical monuments. However, tourists will be interested to see not only the fortress itself, but also visit the Old Town. The name of Derbent is literally translated from Persian as “Locked Gate”. Since ancient times, the city has been closely connected with its legendary fortress. Many associate it with this citadel. In 2013, according to the results of a vote, it turned out that among residents of the Russian Federation, this fortress is in 15th place in the list of the most significant state attractions.
What to see on excursions in Naryn-Kale?
A small fragment of the Khan's palace, which was built in the eighteenth century, is open to tourists. Be sure to take a look at the baths - this is a unique semi-basement room, divided into two spacious halls with small rooms attached to each of them. You can look at the zindan-prison, which is made in depth (11 meters) and is distinguished by the shape of a jug. Sloping walls made it difficult for prisoners to climb up.
The Orta Kala gate, located in the southern wall, looks amazingly beautiful. You will also be amazed by the ancient water supply system of the citadel, which was mentioned above. To this day, even stone and ceramic pipes from that period have been preserved. And, of course, a must-see is the Juma Mosque, as well as an ancient Christian temple.
You can visit here as part of a tour to Dagestan Treasures of the Land of Mountains
Operating mode:
in summer from 9:00 to 20:00, in winter from 9:00 to 18:00
Naryn-Kala Citadel in Derbent on the map:
Address: Russia, Dagestan, Derbent
GPS: 42.0527979778902, 48.2742194831371
In the article we will talk about the Naryn-Kala fortress. Few people know about it, but this pre-Arab citadel really deserves attention. We'll look at her story and also talk about current state structures. In addition, the Naryn-Kala fortress is excellent tourist place, where you can plunge into the historical, ancient atmosphere.
It must be said that the ancestors of the builders of the Great Wall of China look with envy at the Derbent citadel, because its age is more than 2 thousand years. At the same time, new archaeological research gives us the right to think that the age of the Naryn-Kala fortress may be even greater. Early on, the main function of the building was that it protected a large section of the Great Silk Road, that is, it was an outpost. On this moment The role of the building is peaceful: it is a museum where interesting events are often held.
Fortress in the defense system
The citadel is part of the Derbent fortress. It, in turn, is connected to the Caspian Sea with the help of double walls that block the Caspian gate to the Persian state. Of course, the fortress performed this function earlier, but now it is a worthy architectural monument.
Derbent itself, ironically, was located in a rather vulnerable place from a strategic point of view. It was located near the Caspian Passage, where the Greater Caucasus Mountains are closest to the sea. Only a very narrow strip of plain remains. At the same time, the Derbent fortress itself is part of a huge defensive system, which in ancient times protected the peoples of Western Asia and Transcaucasia from enemies and attacks of nomads. This system included a citadel, sea and city walls, and a large Dag-Bary - Mountain Wall.
Location of Naryn-Kala fortress
The citadel is located on top of a hill that is closest to the sea. Previously, the path to the sea was blocked by parallel fortress walls of the Derbent building, which ran along the entire coast. They adjoined the citadel in the west, and in the east they went completely into the sea, thus preventing the enemy from bypassing the citadel in shallow water and creating a harbor for ships. Between the walls of the huge shelter was a city called Derbent. On the western part of the Naryn-Kala fortress there was a Mountain Wall, which stretched about 40 km. It ensured that the residents of the city could not be reached by bypassing valleys and passes.
Description
The Naryn-Kala fortress (Dagestan) has an irregular shape and occupies 4.5 hectares. Its dimensions are as follows: 180 m wide, 280 m long. Each wall has a small fortification in the form of a turret. They are located at a distance of approximately 20-30 m from each other. The southwestern corner of the Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent is decorated with a large square tower, which is a bow with a defensive wall. Steep mountain slopes on all three sides of the building provide additional protection.
The territory has suffered serious destruction and fires many times, but despite this it has not been abandoned. Until the Sasanian conquests, there were always settlements here, which indicates the strategic importance of the site. The walls were made of poorly processed shell rock, which was laid on a clay mortar or earthen embankment. This type of masonry has survived to this day in some places.
Of course, the fortress was not built in one day. Over the centuries, new premises have been created here: both external and internal. Many of them were completely destroyed or restored over time.
The first stage in the construction of any defensive structure was considered to be the construction of a mud wall. It was the spread of construction techniques and their improvement that allowed the people to defend their borders, especially during active enemy campaigns. Apart from minor changes, the fortress was finally built inside and outside during the reign of the Sassanid dynasty. Strong stone walls were built at the same time.
Sassanid masonry can be observed not only in the walls of the citadel, but also in ordinary buildings in the city. It is interesting that the outer part of the walls was laid dry, and when processing the inner part they used a very high-quality lime mortar. To strengthen the structure, alternating slabs were used. Elements of ancient masonry are more uniform, although they do not require the use of slabs of the same shape. The Sassanid masonry not only made the building incredibly strong, but also externally gave it pomp and inviolability.
What is inside?
There are still baths and separate water tanks inside the fortress. Also here you can find destroyed buildings, which, according to initial estimates by archaeologists, were erected in ancient times. There is a cross-domed church, which researchers date back to around the 5th century. It is known that the church underwent some changes. It was rebuilt into a temple of fire worshipers, and then into a mosque.
There is also a Juma mosque here - the oldest in Russia. Researchers claim that it was founded around the 8th century, however, over the centuries it has been updated many times. In front of it is a madrasah, which dates back to the 15th century. Let us recall that a madrasah is a Muslim educational institution that performs not only the functions of a school, but also a theological seminary.
Tourists especially love the Shah's Palace, which, unfortunately, has survived to modern times in the form of ruins. When the Russian-Persian War began in 1796, the fortress was taken by Russian troops under the leadership of Valerian Zubov.
Tourist excursion
The Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent, the photo of which is posted in the article, is a real storehouse of secrets and mysteries for the curious tourist. To begin with, I would like to say that the building seems to float above the entire territory of the city. By the way, she is the most high point in this region. Separately, it is worth noting the view that opens to everyone who looks into the fortress. The view from the fortress walls is difficult to describe in words, because a panorama of a vast natural territory opens up before the viewer. The entire area is occupied by small houses, and the horizon line runs along the Caspian Sea itself.
Tourists who like to walk and look for various unusual objects will be pleasantly surprised when they discover a large number of tanks, which the reader already knows about. They plan to open a tasting club here in the future. The indigenous residents of the city say that the first miracle of the world is Derbent cognac.
Wine production
It is known that wine production was carried out here during the reign of Peter I. According to legend, the ruler tried the local wine, but he did not like it at all. The point was not that the wine was bad, but that the culture of winemaking in these parts did not yet exist at that time. To change the situation, the emperor sent Astrakhan specialists to Derbent. A few years later, he was sent a batch of wine to sample, with which the ruler was completely satisfied.
Interesting fact: when the emperor visited these regions, it was a hot summer. He ordered a haircut for himself. Subsequently, the preserved hair was used to create a wax figure.
Prisons in the fortress
As we know, it is difficult to find a fortress that did not have prisons. The Derbent fortress Naryn-Kala is no exception. Here the prison looks especially scary. It is a stone bag into which a narrow hole leads. By the way, local residents call such underground prisons zindan. People suffering from claustrophobia should not go there. The underground room is located at a depth of 9 m and has an area of 20 m2. Mostly state criminals who had committed serious offenses were imprisoned here. It is not known exactly, but it is believed that even the President of Dagestan R. Abdulatipov visited this fortress. Director tourist center More than once he proposed making their prison a stylized museum, but so far the idea has not been translated into reality.
Secret
The Naryn-Kala fortress (Derbent), the history of which we examined, has its secrets. In 960, an underground chamber was built here. It was located at a depth of 10 m underground. Its shape is a strict cross, clearly oriented to the cardinal points. To this day, no one can say for sure what this building was intended for. There are two main versions. The first is that the room was a reservoir. According to the second version, the underground building was Christian temple, which eventually went underground and was abandoned.
As for ancient architectural monuments, there is an amazing Khan’s office of the 18th century and a guardhouse.
Modernity
In 2003, the Naryn-Kala fortress (photo in the article), as well as the old part of Derbent and the surrounding fortifications became part of World Heritage UNESCO. In 2013, the building known to us made it to the third round of the Russia 10 competition based on voting results. It was conducted by the Rossiya 1 TV channel and the Russian Geographical Society. According to the results of the competition, the fortress took 15th place among the main attractions of Russia.
The government plans to restore the fortress by the 2000th anniversary of the city, according to a decree dated September 12, 2013. According to preliminary calculations, about 616 million rubles will be spent on landscaping and repair work.
Operating hours of the Naryn-Kala fortress: every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Architectural complex is an integral part of the Derbent Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.
“Locked Gate” - this is how the name of the city of Derbent is translated from the Azerbaijani language. This ancient city of Dagestan passed through antiquity and reached modern times, changing its appearance. But one thing in its appearance remains unchanged - the stone fortress of Naryn-Kala, which once protected the Caucasian people from ill-wishers, and now attracts travelers from all over the world. What does the Derbent fortress prepare for its guests? What historical events are associated with it? This article will answer these questions and provide information useful for your visit.
The name of the citadel, according to different versions, means “Solar Fortress” or “Tower of Light”. The first mention of it dates back to the 6th century BC. Its author is the famous ancient Greek historian and geographer Hecataeus of Miletus. In those days, the structure was called the “Caspian Gate”. The impetus for the start of construction was the order of the Persian king Khosrow I Anushirvn, who came from the Sassanid family.
3D panorama of the Naryn-Kala citadel
The fortress was designed as an addition to the defensive system of the Caucasus, which protected Transcaucasia and Western Asia from raids by northern tribes. It deprived enemies of the opportunity to penetrate cities bypassing the mountains or from the side coastline Caspian Sea. In addition to the Naryn-Kala citadel, this included city and sea walls, as well as the mountain fortification of Dag-Bary.
The building material for the construction of the Derbent fortress was Upper Sarmatian limestone. Its length reached 700 m, height - from 6.5 m. It is impossible to determine the exact height, since the walls were preserved unevenly, but there is no doubt about their thickness - it is 3.5 m. The German traveler Adam Olearius once joked that The walls of the fortress are as wide as a road, and you can easily ride a cart along them.
The western section of the fortress ran in two parallel lines across the coast and went into the sea, forming a kind of bay that did not allow opponents to approach the city in shallow water. Subsequently, the level of the Caspian began to drop, and the walls were extended deeper into the sea.
For many years, the fortress played the most important role in security and defense. Centuries and millennia flew by, generations changed, the new owners of Naryn-Kala made changes to its appearance, modernized and restored its dilapidated fortifications. Traces of reconstruction over different years are still visible, and from them you can read the entire centuries-old history of this building.
Main historical events
In 735 Naryn-Kala received the title administrative center military actions of the Arab Caliphate. At the same time, Derbent developed to the status commercial port and took an active part in the spread of the Islamic religion in the surrounding areas.
In the 14th century, Timur Tamerlane, the great Turkic-Mongol commander and conqueror, set foot on the lands of the Caucasus. Many cities fell under his onslaught, including Nizhny Dzhulat (Kabardino-Balkaria). When the military leader approached Derbent, Naryn-Kala surrendered without resistance, tarnishing its reputation.
In the 20s XVIII century Peter the Great carried out a Caspian campaign, as a result of which Derbent was included in Russian Empire. Naryn-Kala passed into the possession of Peter I. However, ten years later, Russia returned the Caspian lands to Persia.
During the Russian-Iranian War (late 18th century), Russian troops made a second capture of the fortress under the command of Valerian Aleksandrovich Zubov. Later he placed the general headquarters in one of the towers.
The year 1867 was marked by the abolition of the fortification. A significant section of the Southern Wall (about half a kilometer) was completely demolished, which improved communication between the citadel and prosperous Derbent.
Legends and traditions
The majestic structure, which came from time immemorial, inspired the Caucasian peoples to compose a considerable number of traditions and legends. The plot of one of them says that when Khosrow I Anushirvan decided to build a fortress, he wanted to make peace with the Khazar Kagan and, in order to prove the veracity of his intentions, asked the Kagan’s daughter, the Khazar princess, to marry him.
The Khazar Kagan was incredibly happy to receive such an offer, because the conclusion of this marriage opened up a direct path for him to the throne of Persia. He immediately agreed and hastily sent the princess to Derbent.
In honor of the bride's arrival, a big celebration was held, she was given honors... but the wedding was not destined to take place. The cunning Anushirvan did not marry the princess, but kept it as a guarantee that the kagan would not attack his unprotected lands until the wall was built.
Having completed the construction, Khosrow returned the girl to her father. Anushirvan did not encroach on her honor, and she returned home virgin, but suspicions and gossip to the contrary tarnished her good name. The angry father gathered a powerful army and sent it to the Derbent fortress, but no forces, neither human nor heavenly, could conquer the indestructible Naryn-Kala.
Another legend comes from a distortion historical facts. In some documents the fortress is indicated under the name “Wall of Alexander the Great”. This name came from a rumor that it was built by the legendary commander, but in fact Alexander the Great never stood at the gates of Derbent.
Derbent fortress today
No one can say the exact age of the fortress. Some scientists believe that it appeared more than two thousand years ago, others argue that its walls were built at least three thousand years before the birth of Christ.
One thing is clear - the building is very ancient and needs regular restoration and reconstruction. The condition of sections of the fortress varies from ruined to average integrity. Despite the destruction, the citadel retained its outlines: powerful fortified walls, round towers with jagged roofs (there were originally 73 of them, but only half have survived to this day), long corridors and dungeons, worn-out staircases, outlines of former palaces, vaulted ceilings and domes.
During the period of activity of the fortress, there were fourteen gates within its walls, of which only nine survived. All of them are of architectural interest. The Northern Gate is especially impressive, indicating the grandeur of the structure. Their architectural image is harsh - on their “face” they bear unhealed scars, which serve as a reminder of numerous raids and attacks. The southern gate, Orta-kala, which means "middle gate", was less damaged in battle and still looks elegant and solemn.
Sasanian masonry is clearly visible in the city walls. It consists of several rows of large monolithic slabs forming the external and internal surfaces of the walls. The voids between them are filled with backfill material.
The Derbent fortress is conventionally divided into three components:
- Naryn-Kala Citadel (the best preserved section);
- The southern wall, the main part of which was destroyed in the 19th century;
- The northern wall is in good condition.
The walls run parallel to each other and “compress” each other old part cities. The Naryn-Kala Citadel is the symbol and main attraction of Derbent. The entire fortress and each part of it separately are protected by the state and are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Excavations on the territory of Naryn-Kala
Over the years, archaeological campaigns were carried out on the territory of the Derbent fortress. As a result of excavations, the remains of an ancient dwelling with perfectly preserved household items were discovered.
Among the stones and soil layers, archaeologists found intact ceramic jugs, a large kitchen vessel, beautiful craftsmanship dishes, and a hearth with burnt wood and traces of flame. It seems that the owners left the house in a hurry, forgetting about things. Presumably, the reason for their flight was the difficult political situation that took place in the second half of the 5th century (the construction dates back to this period).
A coal furnace with a practical structure and well-developed design was also opened here. Decorative items made of metal, glass and stone aroused great interest: spindle weights, figurines, beads, and especially a hair pin with a bird pattern. The image is drawn schematically, but experts saw a hoopoe in it. According to ancient Eastern mythology, it was a symbol of wisdom and prudence.
During another expedition, scientists explored the foot of the fortress walls and came across the skeleton of a teenage girl. The cause of death was an attack or accident. Next to her lay an earthenware jug. The age of the find is 1500 years.
One of the most important artifacts was found in the 80s. These are two rare figurines - household idols to the god of fertility. Similar sculptures were made from the 5th to the 3rd millennium BC. It was this find that prompted scientists to believe that Derbent and its fortress could have existed 5,000 years ago.
Excursions around the fortress. Features of the visit
The fortification area is 4.5 hectares. On its territory there are many objects of tourist interest. It is impossible to go around the entire fortress at one time - in order to fully explore it and not miss anything, you can divide the excursion into several days and use the services of a local or private guide.
An experienced guide will not only show best places citadels, but will also tell Interesting Facts from their history. In addition, a well-designed route will provide clear transitions from one attraction to another, eliminating confusion and long wanderings in circles.
The order of visiting the monuments of the Naryn-Kala citadel is determined by the guide, but the list of excursions always includes the following exhibitions:
The architectural creation “Khan Baths” is located in the north-west of the Derbent fortress. They were built between the 16th and 17th centuries. This is a semi-underground room with domed vaults reaching the surface. There are special holes in the roof that served as a source of lighting.
In the Caucasus, as in the East as a whole, the bathhouse was a symbol of care, as it contributed not only to washing, but also to the restoration of vitality and good mood. Friendly meetings were often held in such fonts, during which men relaxed, socialized, and played backgammon and chess.
The principle of operation of the bathhouse is simple: a stove located in the basement heated the water and the stone floors of the room. The air was filled with hot steam, and the lit incense created a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere.
They say that the baths of Naryn-Kala were visited by the Great Khan: on Thursdays he bathed himself, on Fridays the wives of his harem, and on other days - the guards and servants.
There is a legend associated with the Khan’s baths, according to which a man who looked into the bath while women were there had one of his eyes gouged out with an awl. And if a woman found herself in a bathhouse with men bathing, then she was completely deprived of her sight.
Cross Reservoir
In the literature, a false origin is attributed to this monument, as if it was carved into the rock. In fact, the cistern was built from large, smoothly polished stones. The assumption that the structure functioned as a reservoir is not the only one. According to another theory, an Albanian-Christian shrine was located here. The room is deepened into the ground and divided into several rooms connected by arches.
Rectangular reservoir
A small rectangular building with solid walls without a single skylight. This type of building layout is widespread in hot countries and arid regions of Russia. There is no exact date for the construction of the reservoir. It is not mentioned in documents and does not appear in historical events.
The western gate of the fortress, also known as the “Derbent Gate”. During operation, the passage was intended for pack transportation.
In addition, help came through the gates of Dag-Kapa during the siege of the citadel, which is why they were given another name - “Secret”. The third nickname, “Shameful Doors,” arose thanks to cowardly rulers who, in times of disaster, abandoned their people and fled from the city through this passage.
The wooden gate leaves are sandwiched between two projections of the walls; on top it is marked by a characteristic jagged border.
The building appeared in 1828 for employees of the Russian garrison. Then the fortress underwent another restructuring: the territory was expanded by destroying old buildings, where new ones were built. The stone guardhouse became the last element of the reconstruction.
The architects used the landscape features of the hill where Naryn-Kala is located to their benefit. They created walking terraces, spiral steps, and supporting columns. All this provided convenience when moving to the guardhouse on the eastern side of the city.
The Khan's Palace is one of the most significant buildings of the fortress complex. The palace ensemble is not a separate element of the fortress; it literally merges with its walls, forming a single structure. Once upon a time, the royal residence was a two-story building with domes and many rooms inside.
The walls and ceilings were decorated with mirror mosaics. Shimmering in the sun, it cast iridescent reflections, and the room shone like a handful of sapphires. Unfortunately, only a fragment of the castle structure has survived to this day, but even it impresses with its grandeur and praises the skill of the architects of that era.
Also known as "Divan Khana". A two-story house was built in the highest part of the citadel in order to maintain the economy. The lower floor consists of five rooms, the upper one of four. Here there was a reception room for the ruler, people's rooms and an office where meetings were held and political issues were discussed.
Passing by, many do not pay attention to the square openings covered with bars, thinking that these are some kind of medieval hatches.
However, in ancient times, criminals sentenced to life imprisonment lived out their days behind these bars. The prison was called "Zidane". Their depth is 9 m, and the internal area is 20-25 sq. m. m. The walls of the cells were designed according to the “pyramid” principle, which deprived the prisoners of the chance to escape.
During excavations, a huge number of human skeletons were discovered at the bottom of the prisons. Apparently, the bodies of dead criminals were buried right there, covered with sand.
Not a single excursion around Naryn-Kala is complete without visiting a museum dedicated to the past of the Derbent fortress. Exhibits include artifacts found during the process. archaeological excavations on the territory of the citadel.
Here you can see ceramics, clay jugs, armor and weapons, fragments of sarcophagi, forges, ancient coins, jewelry, as well as paintings depicting episodes from the daily life of the settlers of old Derbent.
Best time to visit
Peak tourist season in Derbent falls on June-September. These months are characterized by dry and very hot weather (up to +40 degrees). Naryn-Kala is located on the top of a hill - an open area, unprotected from the sun. Despite the presence of shady places and stalls with refreshments, a long walk around the citadel will be very tiring. Locals It is recommended to go on an excursion after 17:00, when the heat subsides and the air becomes fresher. If you decide to travel in the middle of the day, then do not forget about dark glasses, hats and sunscreen.
Where is Naryn-Kala located on the map. How to get there
GPS coordinates for the map – 42.053065, 48.274310
Getting to the Naryn-Kala fortress is easy. The nearest public transport stop, 900 m away, is “Secondary School No. 14”, where minibuses No. 6 and No. 8 go.
By car from the center of Derbent you can get to the walls of the bastion like this:
Naryn-Kala is an architectural monument, a historical monument and a reminder of the past of the great Derbent, which has passed through millennia. A visit to the oldest landmark of the city is an opportunity to immerse yourself in its history, become imbued with it and mentally transport yourself to distant eras, the memories of which are preserved by the ancient walls of the “Solar Tower”.
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Naryn-Kala is the famous ancient Derbent fortress, which turned the city into a “Closed Gate”. Its double walls, which descended to the Caspian Sea itself, made it possible to completely control the narrow coastal passage from the sea to the south, to Persia. The fortress was protected on three sides by steep mountain cliffs, and towers were built within the walls at a distance of about 25 m from each other. Naryn-Kala, together with the Dag-Bary wall, remains one of the largest today protective structures world and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The monumental structure of Dag-Bara, 42 km long, stretched through groves and hills and went into the mountains; it was impossible to get around it.
The territory of the fortress was about 4.5 hectares. Inside were structures necessary to withstand a siege: in particular, a voluminous tank for drinking water(6th century), mostly going underground. In the event of a siege, the defenders could have enough water for six months. True, the fortress was never considered “unconquered”: it did fall several times under the pressure of the besiegers. The western gate of Naryn-kal was called the “Gate of Shame”: dishonest military leaders escaped from the fortress through them when luck turned away from the defenders.
The Russians took the fortress in 1796, during the war with Persia.
In addition, you can find some even more interesting and older ruins here. For example, the remains of a 4th century Christian church, which was then converted into a Zoroastrian sanctuary, and then into a mosque. This church is considered the first Christian temple in the country. The ruins of the Khan's palace from the 18th century are also worth visiting. Also here are the khan's baths and the khan's office of the 18th century, which is occupied today by the Museum of Ancient Derbent. And also - the guardhouse building built in 1828, where it was opened Art Gallery with an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city.
From the building materials that went to Naryn-Kala and Dag-Bary, seven Cheops pyramids can be built.
The fortress is considered an absolute must-see also because of the stunning view of the city and surrounding area that opens from here.
The Dag-Bara wall was originally built around the 6th century. and in some sources it was called the “Great Caucasian Wall” - which is understandable and true. The monumental structure, 42 km long, stretched through groves and hills and into the mountains; it was impossible to get around it. The wall was made of shell rock, and forts with turrets were built along its entire length. The wall, like its Chinese companion, saved the inhabitants of Western Asia from the raids of nomadic tribes, but already in the Middle Ages it lost its significance. Today, less than a third of the original structure remains.
Now Naryn-Kala is part of the Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve.
Practical information
The fortress is located in the western part of the city and is clearly visible from afar. You can climb up to it via a long staircase on foot or drive up to the main gate by car ( public transport doesn't come here).
Prices on the page are for December 2019.
