Ingushetia is a mountainous republic, on the territory of which you can visit many picturesque, beautiful and interesting places, and also capture them in photos and videos, for example, the amazing natural monuments of the Targim Valley, the gorges of the Assa and Armkhi rivers. There are many cultural and historical monuments here, the most significant of which are Thaba-Erdy, Albi-Erdy, Vovnushki Castle, architectural buildings Targim, Khamkhi, Egikal and others.
The towers of mountainous Ingushetia are unique in their architecture. They have stood for hundreds of years, soaring high into the sky. The monuments tell about the skill of ancient architects, about the traditions and customs of the highlanders, the people who once glorified this beautiful region.
Erzi Nature Reserve
One of the youngest reserves in the Russian Federation. This very beautiful and amazing place was created to ensure the preservation of the unique mountain nature. The territory of Erzi is about 6000 hectares.
These are mainly mid-mountain and high-mountain forests, alpine meadows and mountain rivers. In the middle zone of the reserve there are birches, hooked pines, lindens, oaks, and rowan trees. Willow and sea buckthorn grow near the rivers. Above are beautiful mountain steppes and meadows with a variety of flowers, and at the very top there are solid glaciers.
The fauna of the Erzi Nature Reserve is also quite diverse. Bears, foxes, wolves, martens, goats, wild boars, Dagestan tur, leopards, and forest cats live here. These beautiful places are also home to birds of prey - buzzards, vultures and golden eagles. The most rare bird species for this region is the yellow-headed kinglet.
For tourists, visiting Erzi will be an unforgettable event. Here you can admire the Armkha waterfall in a forest gorge and a pine grove. In addition, in this region you can see historical and architectural monuments. Various sanctuaries and crypts, fortresses and temples, as well as a historical and architectural museum-reserve.
National dishes
The dishes are simple and unpretentious, mostly meat:
- Khyaltam dulkh - meat with dumplings. There is a similar thing in Chechnya and Dagestan: they bring boiled meat with flour dumplings, garlic or potato sauce and strong hot broth in a glass. Meat and dumplings should be dipped in sauce and washed down with broth.
- Chiapilgash (chapilgash) - flatbreads with various fillings: cottage cheese, potato, cheese or with herbs. They look like khychins.
- Olgash - wheat flatbread without filling.
- Khyngalish - pumpkin cakes.
- Halva - can be made from corn or wheat flour with or without raisins and walnuts.
- Honey.
Read more about the national cuisine of the Ingush here.
Table Mountain (Maat Loam)
One of the most sacred and beautiful places in Ingushetia - Maat-Loam - is considered the highest peak of the republic, its height reaches 3000 meters. The mountain owes its name to its shape, which resembles a huge flat table covered with a green carpet of grass.
Table Mountain is a place where there is always a lot of sunshine during the day, and at night the sky is strewn with many stars and it seems that you can touch them. The top of Maat-Loam is crowned by Mat-Seli (Myatsil), an ancient temple to which the ancestors of the Ingush came to pay tribute to the God of fertility and agriculture.
Among the large number of grottoes and caves on Table Mountain, the Stalactite Cave attracts special attention. The length of the cave is about 34 meters, width – 25 meters, height – 10 meters. Artistic scenes are often filmed in this place: the ceiling of the cave is decorated with icicles made of stalactites, and huge stalagmites grow from the bottom, which are surprisingly beautiful and majestic under artificial lighting.
Vovnushki Castle
In the Dzheraikh region of Ingushetia, on the top of a cliff stands the amazing Vovnushki Castle, full of gloomy charm and ancient legends. Its name translates as “place of battle towers.” From the top of the rock there is a beautiful view of the gorge, where powerful streams of water hitting the rocks create a cascade of splashes and a sea of foam.
The entrance to the castle was from the second floor, so for a long time the enemies could not figure out how to get inside. On the third floor there were living rooms, on the top there was an observation deck, and on the lowest floor there was a prison. The towers were connected by suspension bridges on ropes, which were cut off during an attack. Vovnushki survived many battles; here was once a checkpoint of the Great Silk Road.
Hotels
For guests of the city, Ingushetia offers holidays in hotels of the highest class. You can find modest vacation options by paying no more than 500 rubles per night, or you can stay comfortably, having all the benefits of civilization at your fingertips.
Hotel Assa in Nazran
The hotel is located in the very center of the city at st. Shkolnaya, 5, at 10 min. from the railway station. From the windows of the rooms you can see the mountain landscape and a view of the pond. A double room costs 3,000 rubles/day, a single room costs 2,000 rubles/day, luxury rooms with a richer interior cost 7,000 rubles. from 1 person.
Each room contains:
- Internet;
- shower;
- Electric kettle;
- TV;
- hair dryer;
- refrigerator.
You can reserve a room by phone.
Hotel Artis Plaza in Magas
The hotel is located at st. Irdis Zyazikova, 6 and includes a full variety of services, including:
- billiards;
- Spa;
- conference hall;
- sauna;
- hamam;
- boutiques;
- VIP banquet hall.
Room rates, depending on the class, start from 4,000 rubles/day and up to 8,000 rubles/day for a double deluxe room. The interior of all rooms of any class is made in a chic English style. The rooms are equipped with household appliances, Internet and toiletries included in the room rate. Room reservations are made by number.
Business Hotel Magas
Another hotel on the street. Zyazikova, 2a, which has rooms adapted for people with disabilities. The pricing policy starts from 2,500 rubles/night for a standard room, ending at 15,000 rubles/night for a luxury apartment.
Each room, regardless of class, has:
- Wi-Fi with speeds up to 100 Mb/s;
- Appliances;
- safe;
- toiletries and bathrobe;
- fridge;
- mini bar.
In addition, the hotel has a 24-hour gym, a spa and a rooftop restaurant. You can also rent a conference room and use the services of a guide. The room can be reserved by calling the number.
Castle "Chateau Erken"
The majestic castle in the Romanesque style, located 20 kilometers from Nalchik, is called by the local population a new man-made landmark of the North Caucasus. Chateau Erken, built by a talented architect, is surrounded by a beautiful artificial lake inhabited by exotic fish and a dense forest inhabited by pheasants and deer.
In the traditions of Italy and France, the castle bears the family Kabardian surname of the Erkenovs, and their family symbol is printed on the labels. Erkenov in 1991 became the first entrepreneur to receive a license for the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the RSFSR. It was this year that became the date of the emergence of the family concern “ZET”, which owns “Chateau Erken”.
The Wine Palace is a very beautiful place and looks fabulous; many tourists come here who want to get to know “Caucasian Tuscany” better and try a high-quality aromatic wine drink.
What to do in Ingushetia in winter
- Go skiing and snowboarding at the Armkhi ski resort. Two routes with a total length of about one and a half kilometers are located in the mountains above one and a half thousand meters. An ideal playground for beginner skiers and snowboarders!
- Make snowmen and play snowballs at the Legends of the Mountains tourist complex nearby.
- Go ice skating at the Erzi skating rink in Nazran.
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Egikal
Ancient Egikal is a large tower complex in Ingushetia. Many buildings are scattered along the southern slope of Mount Tsey-Loam in the Assin Gorge. Egikal fascinates and surprises; it seems that history itself breathes in this beautiful place. This is the cradle of all of Ingushetia, it is from here that the settlement of the local people began, here are the oldest buildings (more than 100) and many burials dating back to the 12th-16th centuries.
The entire Egikala complex consists of residential towers with various outbuildings, crypts and 4 semi-combat towers. Unfortunately, most of the buildings have already been destroyed, but one of the battle towers has survived and been restored. Currently, this tower has become the main attraction of the complex, its pearl. There is a staircase attached to one of the walls, thanks to which tourists can look inside the building.
Transport
Public transport in Ingushetia operates the same as in any other city in Russia. The cost of a route taxi in Magas is 5 rubles, the price of a trolley bus is 15 rubles.
Taxi
The republic has its own Yandex.Taxi and other services. The price of economy class is from 20 rubles/km, business class from 200 rubles. for the trip. In the latter case, the trip includes various amenities for the passenger, for example, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, etc.
You can order a taxi in Nazran and Magas using the following numbers:
| Tesham | +7 |
| Economy | +7 |
| Nart (Yandex) | 8 |
| Metropolitan | +7 |
| Mansour | +7 |
| Azan | +7 |
Rent a Car
Car rental is not very popular in Ingushetia; mostly local residents prefer to travel by taxi. But you can find a few advertisements offering to order a car with a driver, it costs about 300 rubles per hour.
Don't miss the most popular article in the section: Metro Nizhny Novgorod. Diagram, map, description.
Hamhi
The village is located in the south of Ingushetia, in the Dzheirakhsky district, on the left bank of the Assa River. The settlement is striking in its originality: the ancient towers of the Ingush villages fit harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. They are proof of the nation's resilience and strength. This is the pride of the local population, which carries the memory of the heroic past of the people.
In ancient times, the castle complex consisted of combat, semi-combat and residential structures. Battle towers were the first buildings of the Ingush. Semi-combat structures were used not only as living quarters, but were also adapted for defense. They contained loopholes for archery. However, most of all there were residential buildings with multiple extensions. At the moment, almost all buildings have been destroyed, only 4 military structures have survived.
Let's sum it up
This city should be visited without fail by both young travelers and experienced tourists. After it you will be left with a lot of amazing emotions and unforgettable impressions. The city's population is hospitable and always responds well to requests for help. People are sensitive and responsible, they can help in any situation. There is an opportunity to participate in some marathons, competitions, and master classes. Some of them are free. Here we are glad to see tourists who are interested in this cultural sphere.
Targim
The ancient village in Ingushetia is located in the south of the republic in the Targim Valley on the right bank of the Assa River. This area is characterized by a particularly flat ground surface.
Currently, Targim is a deserted place, but it does not look abandoned. And now the ancient buildings are in excellent condition and amaze with their grandeur. Above the river there are 4 combat towers, 4 semi-combat and 16 destroyed residential structures.
How to get there
Ingushetia has well-developed transport links with various cities of Russia, and especially with Moscow, which allows tourists from all over the country to enjoy local attractions. You can get to the republic in any convenient way: on your own by car in 24 hours or by public transport, plane or train in a little more travel time.
By plane
The airport in Ingushetia “Magas” is located 32 km from the capital of the same name. Flights from Moscow operate every day, ticket prices range from 9,500 to 11,600 rubles, travel time is 2 hours 35 minutes. The flight from St. Petersburg will take 13 hours 35 minutes, the ticket price will be 12-13 thousand rubles.
By train
Railway lines from Moscow to Ingushetia are also relevant. The train leaves on odd days from the Kazansky railway station in Moscow and travels to the city of Nazran. From Nazran to the capital Magas can be reached by taxi in 15 minutes.
The travel time by train will be 33 hours, the price of a ticket in a reserved seat car will be 3884 rubles, in a compartment 3559 rubles, a luxury ticket will cost 11895 rubles.
By car
Ingushetia, whose sights can be observed by driving, has 2 routes to Moscow. The first runs through Voronezh along the M4-M29 highway, amounting to 1,760 km, the second lies through Volgograd along the M4-M6 highway, the travel distance will take 1,700 km. From St. Petersburg you need to move in the same direction to the south, the travel time will be 30 hours.
Dzheyrakh-Assinsky State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve
One of the largest museum-reserves in Russia is located in the south of Ingushetia on the border with Georgia. There are many towers, sanctuaries, crypts, and other structures and a very small population. At the entrance to the reserve there is a majestic arch built in the style of ancient Ingush towers.
The museum includes about 5 thousand architectural and archaeological objects, representing real masterpieces of the diverse culture of the Ingush people (from the Bronze Age to the end of the late Middle Ages). Of great interest are the ancient Christian temple of Thaby-Erdy, one of the most famous tower complexes in this area, the village of Egikal, the Vovnushki castle complex and many others.
Dzheirakhsky district of Ingushetia: attractions (photo, description, map)
Dzheirakhsky district is one of the main tourist destinations in Ingushetia. It includes natural attractions, historical and cultural monuments that are definitely worth seeing. This area is often called Ingush Switzerland for the beauty of the meadows covering the mountain slopes and the purest ecology. Tourists who have been here note the amazing lightness of the Dzheirakh climate: clean mountain air filled with the aromas of herbs and pine needles. This gives it healing properties. People come here not only to enjoy the cleanliness of the environment, to relax their soul and body, but also to explore the local attractions. If you look at the map, you can see that this region of Ingushetia borders on Georgia, therefore, in many architectural structures, along with Ingush ones, Georgian motifs are also visible.
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Dudarova Castle
On one of the streams in the Dzheirakhsky district stands the almost destroyed Dudarov Castle - a historical and architectural landmark of Ingushetia, which is now in danger of disappearing. It's all about destruction: time does not spare the buildings of long ago. That’s why it’s worth coming to see the castle and photographing it while it’s still possible.
Dudarova Castle
Now this Dzheirakh landmark consists of four towers - one combat and three residential. The residential buildings were almost completely destroyed, but the 4-story combat building has been preserved for now. The entire structure is surrounded by a fortress wall. To the west of the castle you can see the crypt. Its unusual jagged roof attracts the attention of lovers of original travel photos.
According to legend, the castle received its name from Dudara. Many legends are associated with his name, telling about his appearance in Ingushetia and the main milestones of his life. Some call him a brave warrior, the leader of the squad and attribute significant feats to him. Others call it a robber who devastated the local settlement of Kharp. Some of them claim that he comes from mountainous Chechnya. However, these assumptions were refuted. Be that as it may, Dudarov Castle is a family estate. You can look at it, take photos and hear the legends associated with it on excursions to this famous landmark.
Duhargisht Towers
Duhargisht Towers
This is an ancient settlement in the Dzheyrakh region. The towers are located on Mount Matlotam. Now this place is complete ruins, the buildings continue to collapse. Therefore, you should hurry up to look at this attraction before the mountain winds and precipitation completely destroy it.
Previously, the towers were surrounded by a stone wall. Now it is all destroyed. The castle included 4 residential towers and one semi-combat tower - its design has special compartments for storing supplies. Their size is impressive. Most tourists examine this particular structure with interest and take photos. Here you can still feel the spirit of those times, and it defies description: you need to see everything for yourself.
This is not all that can be seen here: two burial grounds are located nearby. They are rectangular crypts: two- and three-tiered. You can climb to the top of each of them using special square manholes.
Thaba-Erdy Temple
Thaba-Erdy Temple
Another attraction of the Dzheyrakh region. If you look at the map, it can be found on the border of Ingushetia and Georgia. The time of construction of the temple has not been established, but the first description dating back to the 18th century has been found. Who built the temple is also unknown, but its architectural style combines traditional features of Georgia and Ingushetia.
Studying the structure, archaeologists made the assumption that the temple could have been founded in the 8th century, and then repeatedly completed, which changed its appearance. This building with an apse is 17 meters long. The external walls are decorated with decorative relief elements. The unusual architecture of this basilica is worth examining it carefully and capturing it in a photo: like many ancient buildings in Ingushetia, it is being destroyed.
Tower complex Vovnushki
Tower complex Vovnushki
This Dzheyrakh landmark dates back to the Middle Ages. Translated from Ingush, the name means “place of defensive towers.” The complex consists of three towers, two of which are located on one rock, and the third on the other. The place for their construction was not chosen by chance: this created maximum visibility around and the convenience of repelling any raids. According to descriptions of ancient Ingush towers, many were built on rocky hills.
The towers, made of stone, seem to be a continuation of the rocks on which they stand (especially when viewed from afar): they fit so well into the natural landscape of these places. This attraction is both an architectural and natural monument. The towers are located in a very picturesque location: they are surrounded by numerous mountain slopes. Despite the fact that Ingushetia is a land of towers, and there are a lot of them here, these stand out among all. They are definitely worth a look: don't be content with just descriptions and photos.
Erzi Nature Reserve
Erzi Nature Reserve
If you look at the map, the Erzi Nature Reserve belongs not only to the Dzheyrakhsky, but also to the Sunzhensky district. The nature reserve is located on an area of 35,300 hectares. It was founded only in 2000, but it is no less popular natural attraction than others. It was created to protect a large number of representatives of flora and fauna that are found in the Republic of Ingushetia. Forest cats, aurochs, chamois and other rare animals live here, and more than 180 rare plant species grow. About a third of the reserve is occupied by forests, where mainly oak and beech trees, as well as Norway maple, grow. The rest of the area is covered by picturesque meadows. Tourists will love the beauty of the local nature, which is definitely worth seeing and capturing in photos when coming here on vacation.
Village of Falkhan
Falkhan is one of the ancient Ingush castle-type villages, located slightly north of the village of Lyagzhi in a gorge on the spur of Table Mountain. This is a little-known but very beautiful place.
Here stands the majestic Dzarakhov castle, consisting of a combination of residential and military towers, reaching a height of 25 meters. The construction of all buildings in the settlement dates back to the 16th-17th centuries. Currently, most of the structures are in a dilapidated state; the corner of one of the main watchtowers has completely collapsed.
On the mountain slope in the north-western part of the village there is a crypt necropolis. In total there are more than a dozen tombs, some are destroyed, but the bodies of the dead have been surprisingly preserved: thanks to the good ventilation of the crypts and the clean mountain air, natural mummification has occurred.
Resort "Armkhi"
What do beautiful views, leisurely walks, ski slopes and completely extreme base jumping have in common? The correct answer is the Ingush resort of Armkhi. In 1928, a sanatorium was built in these places, which fell into disrepair in the 90s and would have likely fallen into complete oblivion if not for investors who decided to build a year-round resort in the Ingush mountains. In winter, guests can enjoy ski slopes, in summer, swimming in an outdoor pool with spring water, walking along the wooden health staircase, consisting of 1,780 steps, jumping from the inaccessible Caucasian cliffs for base jumpers. Fresh air and stunning views are guaranteed all year round.
Thaba-Erdy Temple
In the mountains of Ingushetia, in the depths of the Assinsky gorge, there is an ancient Christian temple - Thaba-Erdy. This is a cult place for the local population; religious ceremonies important for the Ingush take place here, and wise elders help solve problems and give blessings for marriages.
Thaba-Erdy is a famous monument of religion and culture. The appearance of the temple does not have luxurious grandeur and pomp - it is a simple stone structure, decorated with carvings, drawings and bas-reliefs. However, despite its simplicity, the building attracts many tourists with its antiquity, mystery, location and legends associated with it.
Mausoleum of Borg-Kash
An amazingly well-preserved ancient architectural monument of Ingushetia. The mausoleum is located 11 kilometers from the village of Nazran. It is built from a rare, but strong and reliable stone with a yellow tint. The structure itself is small, about 3 meters high. The entrance is made in the form of a regular, exquisitely folded arch, and its roof is decorated with a dome in the form of a hemisphere.
Borga-Kash, in addition to the above-ground part, also has an underground part, the hole into which is closed with a heavy stone slab. The inside of the crypt was decorated with ornamental paintings, but after the fire and repair work there were clean whitewashed walls. For the Ingush, the mausoleum became sacred; in this unusual place, the population performed pagan fertility rituals and prayed for good luck in hunting or rain.
Climate
The climate of the city is not too severe, but it cannot be called soft either. Nazran receives quite a lot of precipitation. The general climate can vary from temperate to steppe. There are very few sunny days in this glorious city. There are only about 50 or 60 of them a year. The rest of the time it either rains or the weather is cloudy. Summer is short. The hottest months are July and August. The end of spring and even the beginning of summer are more like early autumn with lingering drizzles and cool weather.
Dudarova Castle
Dudarova Castle is located in a picturesque location on the bank of a mountain stream. It consists of 1 combat and 3 destroyed residential towers, surrounded by a defensive wall. There is a moat around the complex, which was once filled with water from a stream.
To the right of the dilapidated building there is a crypt with a beautiful jagged roof. According to legend, the castle was named after the brave warrior Dudara. It was he who became the founder of the castle. After the death of his sons, the warrior left the walls of his home, but a few years later he returned and brutally took revenge on his enemies.
Duhargisht Towers
Another ancient landmark of Ingushetia is the Duhargisht towers. They can be found on the spur of Mount Matlotam. Previously, the building was surrounded by a high stone wall, and the castle itself consisted of 1 combat and 4 residential towers.
Today the castle has been destroyed, and in its place there are complete ruins. The most interesting place in this complex is the battle tower. It contains large compartments for storing supplies. Near the castle there are 2 ancient crypts covered with a slate roof: a 3-tier and a 2-tier.
Memorial complex to victims of repression
In 1997, a monument was unveiled in Ingushetia in honor of people who became victims of repression and the political regime of Stalin. The memorial complex consists of 9 towers surrounded by barbed wire. According to the designer, each of the towers symbolizes the architecture of the affected peoples.
In the highest tower there is a museum where various factual evidence of that tough and sad time is collected. Photos, names and surnames of people who died during the deportation, documents and paintings. In total, the museum displays more than 1,320 exhibits.
Every day the museum hosts excursions that tell about the events that took place in 1944 and the armed conflict in 1992.
Shopping
It is better to make purchases immediately in the central or large cities of Ingushetia such as Magas, Nazran, Malgobek and Karabulak, where all trade is concentrated, aimed at a population with high purchasing power and tourists.
Guests of Magas can find a wider selection of goods by visiting the store on the street. Mutalieva and "Megapolis" in the Nasyr-Kort district, traveling around Nazran. These shopping centers contain construction goods stores, a children's world, grocery departments and recreation areas with cafeterias.
There are many specialized stores in the capital, for example, the Korean cosmetics store Lalik on the street. Borova, 2 or the Ingushet branch of the IKEA furniture store at st. Khrushcheva, 3.
Guests traveling with children should visit the specialized children's store "Madagascar" on the street. Gorchkhanov, where the main assortment of children's goods is collected, so as not to waste money on small retail outlets throughout the city.
Alansky Assumption Monastery
Near the village of Verkhniy Fiagdon in the Kurtatinsky Gorge stands the majestic Alan Assumption Monastery. This is the highest mountain Orthodox monastery in the Russian Federation.
The first refuge of the Alan Monastery was a former hotel for drivers in the city of Beslan. Since the beginning of its foundation, 2 monks served in it. Then the temple moved to the Kurtatinsky gorge, and within a year a monastery was built here in the name of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. The monks also built a fraternal building and a temple in the name of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
As of 2011, 14 monks served in the monastery. Today, the Assumption Monastery has become famous among residents of Ossetia and other countries. Tourists often come to this place to admire the majestic temple and the beautiful nature around it.
Ecology
In 2016, the environmental situation in Ingushetia improved significantly due to the closure of some enterprises that emitted harmful substances into the atmosphere. Inspections are also carried out frequently throughout the republic.
In 2016 alone, they were carried out 86 times, and 2.5 million rubles were recovered from violators. fines for environmental pollution. The authorities are loyal to improving the environmental situation; regular raids are carried out to clear areas of debris, purify groundwater and eliminate forest fires.
