Iraf District: Natural Sites and Ossetian Cultural Heritage

Natural sites and Ossetian architectural history are two defining themes of Iraf District. Glaciers, gorges, lakes, a sphagnum bog and mineral springs are set alongside historic villages, towers, shrines and burial sites. This provides a helpful starting point when looking for a vacation rental: first consider whether nature and a particular hike, or architecture and history, will play a bigger part in your trip.

Glaciers, Gorges and Lakes

Karaugom Glacier lies in Iraf District, in the Karaugom Gorge. The Urukh Canyon near Akhsinta is also in the district, in the Digor Gorge. Other sites illustrate how closely place names are tied to their valleys and gorges: the Gular Lakes are in the upper reaches of the Gular Gorge, Lake Mikelai in the Kharesidon Valley, Lake Fastag in the Fastag Gorge, and Lake Donisar in the Dargongkom Valley. Urukh Cave is in the Urukh Valley; the Chifandzar sphagnum bog and the Masota mineral springs round out the picture. Masota is in the upper reaches of the Kharesidon.

The Urukh is the largest river in Iraf District and a tributary of the Terek; it rises in the district. Numerous rivers flow down from the mountain slopes. Together with the named glacier, valley and gorge landscapes, they offer a specific selection for anyone who wants to plan their trip around natural sites.

A Hike with a Specified Distance

The round trip to the five-tiered Galdoridon Waterfall is 8.2 km long. It follows the upper left terrace of the Khare(s)idon Valley to its confluence with the Aikhvadon. There, the waterfall cascades over the rocky ledges of the Aikhvadon. The distance refers to the entire round trip, making it easier to gauge the length of the hike.

Villages, Towers and Ossetian Architectural History

Examples of traditional Ossetian architecture dating from the 15th to the 18th century have been preserved in Galiat, Khanaz, Fasnal and Makhchesk. They include crypts, tower complexes, shrines, houses and estates belonging to noble families. Galiat offers a distinctive perspective on this architectural history: its medieval architectural complex comprises terraced houses, and the residential buildings there are dated to the 10th century. This date should be distinguished from the 15th- to 18th-century examples of traditional architecture in the villages mentioned above.

The large architectural complex in Galiat is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. It includes the shrines of Avd-dzuar and Dzuar Faron, the Church of St. George, the Gadzoyev family watchtower and a necropolis of burial chambers. Other notable buildings include the Fattsaev-Tsallaev family castle in Khanaz and the fortified Levanov family estate in Lezgor. The castle is in the Digor Gorge, is considered a unique example of medieval mountain architecture, and is a federal cultural heritage site dating from the 14th to the 16th century. The Levanov family estate is also a federal cultural heritage site; it dates from the 14th to the 18th century.

On the hills between Donifars and Lezgor lies an Ossetian burial ground commonly known as the Donifars-Lezgor Necropolis. It comprises 64 burial chambers of various types and is considered an important monument to Ossetian history and culture. Donifars is also home to the Yese Kanukov Battle Tower in the Digor Gorge. The Zadalesski Nana Museum is in the village of Zadalessk and honors a woman regarded as a heroine of times past.

If you are planning together, you can base your vacation rental search on which of these themes interests you most: mountain scenery and hiking, or villages and cultural heritage. The named sites give you a concrete starting point for your decision.

Discover More Places

Other places to discover include Akhsau and Stur-Digora.

Discover more destinations: Ardon District, Alagir District, Prigorodny District, Vladikavkaz City, Alagirsky District.

Back to the main travel overview: Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.