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Earning its name 'the city of the dead,' Dargavs is considered the most enigmatic village in Russia, adorned with ghostly graveyards and tombs scattered along the hillsides, the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.
Exploring Russia - Unveiling the Secrets of Dargavs, the Ghost Village
A Remote and Desolate Land
Located in North Ossetia and about an hour's drive through winding roads, the village is nestled along the hillsides and slopes of the mountains, stretching approximately 17 km, overlooking the Fiagdon River.
In the 14th century, due to the scarcity of land, the ancestors of the Ossetian people migrated here and chose this harsh and windy land as their settlement. Over time, this place became the most populous in Northern Ossetia.
Unique Staircase-Styled Tombs Preserving the Essence of the Village with Remains Kept for Centuries, Including Skull Boxes and Human Bones.
Each tomb features a small door, just enough to slide a coffin inside, resembling charming little houses.
Distinctive Tombs
Constructed from white stone, the tombs are neatly arranged along the hillside. At the end of the cluster stands a tower with its pinnacle destroyed. Legend has it that this tower served as the resting place for those guarding over other souls.
Resembling pyramid-shaped tents, these tombs are built in the ancient Nakh architectural style, including towers for families, military units, and martyrs. This architectural style dates back 2,000 years, featuring a variety of sizes and shapes.
The walls, crafted from flat stones, are smooth on both the front and back, forming cube-shaped structures.
The deceased find their resting place in charming 'homes,' adorned with clothing and personal items, providing a peaceful and tranquil final abode undisturbed by external disruptions.
Some tombs have sleeping quarters, while others have two or three levels depending on the number of occupants. Additionally, numerous graves are designated for individuals without families and outsiders.
Legend of the Wooden Boats
The coffins, resembling wooden boats, symbolize a journey across a river to reach the heavenly realm, echoing ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian tales of reincarnation.
Between each tomb lies wells; scattering coins into these wells signifies that the soul has reached paradise if the coin hits the stone at the bottom.
Historians believe these graves date back to a major epidemic between the 16th and 18th centuries, affecting the entire Ossetia region. Tens of thousands perished, and the population dwindled from 200,000 to just 16,000 by the mid-19th century.
Present-Day Ghost City
Dargavas stands as the most impressive ghost city in Ossetia, renowned for its vast number of burial mounds and natural beauty. It serves as a repository of artifacts from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, preserving information about the Ossetian people who lived centuries ago.
Despite its beautiful and mysterious architecture, as well as picturesque landscapes, many structures have gradually succumbed to decay. Few tourists venture here, not only due to the challenging transportation but also the fear of encountering the deceased.
Source: Tuoi Tre
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourMarch 28, 2016
