Russia Travel Blog | All about Russia in English

Jun/22

5

Derbent – the southernmost city in Russia

Derbent is a city with a population of about 126 thousand people located in the very south of European Russia in the Republic of Dagestan on the shores of the Caspian Sea, 127 kilometers southeast of Makhachkala.

The city stands in a narrow passage between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. This geographical position made Derbent one of the most important points of defense for many countries, since only this 3 km wide strip of land can be used to easily bypass the Caucasus Mountains. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 1

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 2

The first mention of the Caspian Gates – the most ancient name of Derbent – dates back to the 6th century BC. Today’s city was founded in 438 AD as a Persian fortress consisting of a citadel (Naryn-kala) built on a hill and two stone walls going from it to the sea, which blocked a narrow passage between the sea and the mountains.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 3

Naryn-kala with defensive walls is the main symbol of Derbent. The dimensions of the citadel are approximately 180 meters wide and 255 meters long. The height of the walls ranges from 6.5 to 20 meters.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 4

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 5

Khan’s baths of the 16th-17th centuries.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 6

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 7

The ancient walls more than 1,500 years old have long become part of the urban landscape. In some places, the walls were dismantled, but walking areas were made along each of them.

Kerim Mamedbekov Street stretches along the northern fortress wall of Derbent. This is one of the city’s attractions. 10 of the 43 fortress towers of the northern wall are located on this street.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 8

Armenian Church of the Holy Savior (Surb Amenaprkich) built in 1860-1870.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 9

Central Mosque of Derbent.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 10

Old residential areas. When Derbent was limited by walls, it was necessary to build very compactly. That’s why narrow streets are almost indistinguishable from above.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 11

Derbent Lighthouse (1853). During its construction, the Caspian Sea was much closer to it. Today, the lighthouse is located almost in the center of the city.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 12

The walls of some apartment buildings in Derbent are decorated with graffiti style murals. They were created during the All-Russian street art festival. Most of them are dedicated to ethnic scenes associated with Dagestan.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 13

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 14

Graffiti with Khabib Nurmagomedov. When Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement, graffiti appeared on one of the buildings depicting the UFC champion and his deceased father and coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Khabib fought his last fight without his father.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 15

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 16

Embankment of Derbent.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 17

Derbent Railway Station.

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 18

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 19

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 20

Derbent city, Dagestan, Russia, photo 21

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Tags:  ·

<<

>>

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply