The history of Derbent, the oldest city in Russia, goes back centuries. It appeared on a narrow flat isthmus between the spurs of the Caucasus Mountains and the shores of the Caspian Sea more than two thousand years ago. Centuries passed, powerful powers arose and disappeared, but Derbent continued to exist without losing its significance, because possessing a citadel made it possible to control a key section of the Great Silk Road. The city grew and became a large trade and logistics cluster, the capital of the Khanate, annexed to the Russian Empire in 1813. In modern and recent times, the policy has developed as a center of the manufacturing industry. The sights of Derbent are of great interest to tourists, photos and brief descriptions of which are presented in the article. The historical center of the city is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
The main attractions of Derbent: TOP-3
The unique sights of Derbent are considered the hallmarks of the ancient Dagestan polis. These historical monuments are truly priceless.
Naryn-Kala Citadel
- Opening hours: daily, in summer from 9:00 to 18:00, in winter from 10:00 to 16:00.
- Ticket price: adult 150 rubles, children 50 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://narin-kala.ru
- Address: st. Rzaeva, 7. Transport stop "Bayat-Kapy".
The main link of a powerful defensive system that protected Transcaucasia from attacks by nomads from the northern lands for almost 1000 years was the Naryn-Kala citadel. The garrison of the fortress, built on a high hill near the Dzhalgan ridge, could withstand a long siege. The dimensions of the fortification are impressive. It covers an area of about 4.5 hectares. The fortress is surrounded by high walls with towers. The citadel, built in the 6th century. at the behest of Sultan Khosrow I, it withstood many sieges, however, its garrison was forced to capitulate several times. So, in 1796 Naryn-Kala fell to the troops of the Russian commander, Chief General V. Zubov.
Details about the Derbent fortress
Khan's Palace
- Address: Naryn-Kala fortress. Transport stop "Bayat-Kapy".
The colorful building is considered the main architectural pearl of Derbent after the ancient fortress. The palace was erected in the last third of the 18th century. for the powerful Crimean Khan Fet-Ali, who made the complex of buildings his main residence. Most of the structures of the unique architectural ensemble have not survived to this day. However, even today you can admire the elegant portal of the main entrance to the palace and other traces of its former splendor.
Derbent wall
- Address: from the Naryn-Kala citadel to the coast along K. Mamedbekov Street.
The name of the city literally translates from Persian as “Narrow Gate”. Indeed, the width of the passage between the Caspian Sea and the spurs of the mountain range here is only 3600 m. Only through Derbent was it possible to get from Asia to the Caucasus by land in the Middle Ages. To protect the empire from attacks by warlike neighbors, the sultans from the Sassanid dynasty erected a fortress in a strategically important place, and the isthmus itself was blocked with a powerful double wall made of stone blocks. 73 towers protected the approaches to the fortifications. The height of the masonry is about 12 m. Interestingly, it runs not only on land, but also on the seabed. The walls, cutting 500 m into the waters of the bay, reliably protect the entrance to the city harbor.
Where is the Old Town in Derbent
On a paper or electronic map of Russia, the oldest city in Dagestan should be looked for on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, 130 kilometers south of the capital of the republic.
If you don’t know how to find the Old Town of Derbent on the map, enter the geographic coordinates 42.0765006418, 48.2793561753 into your navigator. For tourists, the eastern border of the historical center will be Salman Street, lined with modern high-rise buildings. In the west, the back wall of the Naryn-Kala fortress became the border of the historical part; there are no city buildings behind it. From the south, the Old City ends on Tagi-Zade Street, from the north - on Kerim Mamedbekov Street.
Architectural sights and monuments of Derbent
The amazing Dagestan city has preserved many ancient buildings and structures. Therefore, connoisseurs of ancient architecture and fortification art will find something to see in Derbent.
Derbent lighthouse
- Address: Primorsky microdistrict, st. Tagieva.
Since the times of Persian rule, Derbent has been considered an important port center. At the same time, the city managed without a lighthouse for several centuries. Meanwhile, the coastal waters were preparing many unpleasant surprises for the captains of ships entering the harbor. A much-needed navigation object with a height of 18.6 m appeared in Derbent only in the middle of the 20th century. The fate of the lighthouse was very difficult. The building was seriously damaged by the earthquake of 1892, and 20 years later it was heavily damaged by Turkish artillery fire. However, the elegant octagonal tower made of white stone was carefully restored each time and continues to perform navigation functions.
Passage
- Address: st. Tagi-Zade, 30. Transport stop "Cinema Rodina".
The advantageous geographical position of Derbent on the way from Persia to the Caucasus, coupled with the presence of a convenient harbor, automatically made the city a significant trade and logistics center. Therefore, in the middle years there were as many as three caravanserais here. The main portal of one of them has survived to this day. A brick building was added to the medieval pointed arch at the beginning of the last century. At the same time, the architects tried to bring the appearance of the extension as close as possible to the historical surroundings of the gate. Therefore, the exterior of the building is very harmonious.
New embankment
- Address: Primorsky district.
For its 2000th anniversary, Derbent received a wonderful gift. In the summer of 2017, the entertainment reaction on the city embankment was inaugurated. Graceful gazebos and an elegant balustrade appeared here, and the promenade was covered with light stone. The dominant feature of the architectural and landscape composition was an elegant two-tier colonnade with a fountain. The embankment immediately became a favorite place for evening walks for citizens and guests of the city. Many people come here to admire the beautiful views of the Caspian Sea from several observation platforms.
Bayat-Kapy Gate
- Address: st. Orta-Kapy. Transport stop "Bayat-kapy".
Several gates included in the defensive complex of Derbent have been well preserved to this day. The most colorful is the fortification in the southern wall, erected during the time of Emir Maslam-bek Abdul-Malik. The structure is a wall with loopholes and an arch connecting two powerful semicircular bastions. Even now, the medieval monument of fortification architecture looks very impressive.
Battle Glory Park
- Address: recreation between Tagi-Zade and Kurbanova streets.
In Derbent, the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for their Motherland during the Second World War is sacredly honored. On the eve of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, the Park of Military Glory with the Alley of Heroes is solemnly celebrated here. The dominant feature of the composition is the bronze statue of the Mother. At her feet the torch of the Eternal Flame burns, and behind her back a wedge of cranes goes into the sky - personifying the souls of soldiers who died on the battlefields. The composition is completed by an elegant colonnade.
Temples of ancient Derbent
In Derbent, which arose and existed for several millennia at the junction of great cultures, representatives of different religious faiths get along well. There are Muslim and Christian churches, as well as a synagogue.
Juma mosque
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 19:00.
- Address: 7th Magal, block 127, building 10.
Even for many experienced travelers, it will be a real discovery that the oldest mosque in Russia is located in Derbent. According to ancient Arab historical sources, the first prayer in this religious building was performed in the winter of 733. Earthquakes and wars caused serious damage to the temple. 600 years after its discovery, it had to be restored. The work was supervised by the architect Taj ad-Din bin Mussa from Baku. The mosque looks impressive. The total length of the temple complex, which also includes the madrasah building and outbuildings, is 67 m. The main building is covered by a 14-sided dome, rising 17 m. The vaults of the halls are supported by four dozen square columns. The temple is deservedly one of the main attractions of ancient Derbent.
Church of St. Grigoris
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Address: outskirts of Derbent, village of Nyugdi.
Taking a half-hour journey from Derbent by bus or car, you can see a unique architectural landmark. Here, in the small village of Nyugdi, there is an ancient Armenian church, built in 1916. The temple was consecrated in the name of the Bishop of Iberia and Albania, killed in the 4th century. leader of the Huns, and later canonized. The building, which immediately attracts attention with its impeccable proportionality of forms, is a magnificent example of Armenian religious architecture.
Church of the Intercession
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Address: st. Lenina, 22.
The appearance of the main Orthodox church of Derbent is very unique. The fact is that the building was originally built as a parochial school. In 1902, a new building was erected for the religious educational institution, and the old mansion was consecrated as a church. Already in modern times, the temple first had a new bell tower, then a building for the priests to live. Tourists now enjoy taking pictures against the backdrop of the elegant church.
How to get there
From central Russia, the easiest way to get to the historical landmark is for Muscovites; they can travel the whole way by rail. Direct train No. 133M leaves from the capital’s Paveletsky station daily (at 19:27) to Derbent. The travel time is 44 hours, the ticket costs 3500–5500 rubles.
If you arrived in Makhachkala by plane, you can leave in the Derbent direction:
- By train. Electric trains leave from the Makhachkala railway station at 8:30, 9:00, 12:45, 17:45; a ticket costs 133 rubles.
- Bus or minibus. You shouldn't count on transit buses or early morning flights. It’s easier to go south by minibus. They leave from three bus stations in Makhachkala (North, South, Novaya) every 30 minutes. Minibus drivers do not adhere to a strict schedule; the minibus leaves when it is full. The cost of travel by minibus and bus is 650–700 rubles, travel time is about 3 hours.
- Taxi. By taxi you can go south directly from Uytash airport without stopping in Makhachkala. The cost of the trip depends on the carrier and the class of car and usually ranges from 2200–3200 rubles.
The distance from the railway station to the gates of the Naryn-Kala fortress is 3 kilometers. This path can be walked in 40 minutes.
Motorists traveling around Dagestan in their own car can find out how to get to the Old Town in Derbent using a navigator or electronic maps Google Maps and Yandex. To get to the historical landmark, motorists need to travel south from Makhachkala along the E119 highway. After passing Kaspiysk, Izberbash, Mamedkala, you will see the Northern Fortress Wall, in front of which you need to turn right onto Omar Khayyam and Gagarin streets.
You will reach the gates of Naryn-Kala along Buinaksky Street. The entire journey from Makhachkala (130 km) will take no more than three hours.
Where to go with children in Derbent
A visit to the ancient city will be extremely useful for a young tourist. Some interesting places in Derbent are ideal for visiting with the whole family.
Caspian Nature Museum
- Opening hours: daily, from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Ticket price: adult 100 rubles, children 50 rubles.
- Address: st. Lenina, 64.
Any child will remember a visit to this wonderful museum for a long time. Young and adult travelers will enjoy an educational excursion into the world of flora and fauna of the Caspian region. The exhibition is divided into several sections dedicated to the forest, mountain and steppe zones of Dagestan, the Caspian Sea, and migratory birds. The exhibition halls house reconstructions of the natural habitats of animals, stuffed animals, and birds. A separate section tells about the same age as dinosaurs - fish of the sturgeon family.
Samursky reserve
- Opening hours: daily, 24 hours a day
- Ticket price: 50 rub.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.dagzapoved.ru
- Address: Nyugdi village, Mollahalil.
Just 50 km from Derbent there is a wonderful place where you can spend an exciting weekend with the whole family. The Samursky nature reserve is located here. The unique natural recreation covers an area of more than 11 thousand hectares. Under the canopy of oak forests and hornbeam groves covering the territory of the reserve, about 300 species of birds live, wild boars, roe deer, jungle cats, and Mediterranean turtles in the coastal lagoons. Special safari tours are organized for travelers, visiting the most picturesque places of the reserve.
Read about the sights of Kaspiysk and Makhachkala
This amazing city, in whose appearance Caucasian, Arab and Russian flavors are intricately intertwined, can rightfully be considered the pearl of the Caucasus. You should definitely visit here. The beauty of incredibly expressive nature, the charm of unique attractions, the cordiality and hospitality of the local residents will be remembered by the traveler for a long time.
