North Ossetia. Tsallati galuan
Published:
Took place on: 2024-09-18
Also known as "Frigate", it's the most conserved castle of Ossetia
From Alania national park, we'd factually begun our trip back to Vladikavkaz, moving down north along the Uruh river. This valley is rich in tsyrts, medieval towers and castle ruins. The people keep living here too.
Ossetian tsyrts. More info under this gallery
2Ossetian tsyrts. More info under this gallery
I see a castle out there!
3I see a castle out there!
The tsyrt is a tombstone, firstly men's, but later became a women's too. It symbolizes the person under, which can already be seen by its height, equal to such of human. The face of sun is held by a tree, under which lay items, necessary to the soul for heaven. The origins, like it's common for Ossetian culture, come from the Ancient Iranian culture.
The Frigate is open for anyone, without any security
1The Frigate is open for anyone, without any security
Hence this castle bears this exploration spirit, which one can feel inside abandoned buildings.
2Hence this castle bears this exploration spirit, which one can feel inside abandoned buildings.
Sometimes it doesn't look like ruins at all!
3Sometimes it doesn't look like ruins at all!
Besides the castle, there are ruins of more buildings, maybe farm buildings, maybe crypts
4Besides the castle, there are ruins of more buildings, maybe farm buildings, maybe crypts
I guess locals get used to such views
5I guess locals get used to such views
The Frigate, by some estimates, is built during XIV-XVI centuries. Nothing else is known as a fact. But there is a legend about a castle creator, Mansau, which got pushed by North Ossetian Museum of Local Lore in 1960s. According to it, he was kidnapping children and selling them in sea ports, where he got inspired by ships. With his money and inspiration, he built this castle here. And as gossip started spreading about his dark biography, he combatted it with a new story, where he was a brave shepherd saving people. What the fuck
I don't know, why, but this view, with such a brilliant angle on the Frigate, is always lit this way (on the other photos too)
1I don't know, why, but this view, with such a brilliant angle on the Frigate, is always lit this way (on the other photos too)
You can climb onto the upper level!
2You can climb onto the upper level!
Of course, no interior here. But you can imagine, what was here
4Of course, no interior here. But you can imagine, what was here
Btw, in the background is a freshly built hotel.
6Btw, in the background is a freshly built hotel.
