Find the ancient necropolis

The Dargavs Necropolis is a strange place in every respect. It consists of “houses with windows”, with skulls, skeletons and mummified body parts inside. There used to be writing on the wall of one of the tombs that said: “Look at us with love. We were like you, you will be like us.”

So, who was the architect of this City of the Dead? Some researchers believe that the pyramidal tombs were built by the ancestors of the Ossetians - the Alans. Others argue that long before the Alans, mountain cemeteries of the Nogais and Mongols already existed in this place. It is not entirely clear, however, why different people chose the same mountain slope for a cemetery. 

Another mystery that puzzles archaeologists is why, instead of coffins, the deceased were placed in boats, because, in the mountains, such a thing is… useless. Perhaps, the deceased had to make his last journey on this boat, crossing the river of oblivion?

There is also a legend that during the plague pandemic, the infected moved into these crypts to protect their families. The relatives could leave food and necessities in those very small windows. This theory sounds credible, except for one thing: an adult would have a very hard time getting through such a small opening.

As you wander through the “streets” of Dargavs, looking at the different tombs with their tiled roofs staring upwards, there are even more questions than answers…

How to find an ancient necropolis?

• We start from the noisy and hospitable Vladikavkaz by car or with a tour group by bus. At first, the road runs through the flatlands, but, very soon, a breathtaking mountain “serpentine” awaits us. Even with photo stops, the journey will take no more than an hour and a half.
• The mountain cemetery has the status of an architectural complex. Before you go, check the calendar: you can visit Dargavs from Tuesday to Sunday. Monday is a day off. The cost of the entrance ticket is 100 rubles. The ticket office is open from 10:00 to 18:00.
• An interesting fact: locals never enter the territory of the necropolis after sunset. Any work, be it mowing the grass or cleaning, is carried out only in daylight. Would you dare to walk through there at night?