Naryn-Kala Fortress in Derbent

The Naryn-Kala Derbent fortress or the Naryn-Kala Citadel is the main historical landmark of Dagestan, a place of attraction for all travelers in the Republic. This is a unique structure that has no analogues in Russia. It belongs to the cultural heritage sites of the peoples of the Russian Federation and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we confidently recommend it for a mandatory visit during a trip to Dagestan.

Translated from Persian, Naryn-kala means "Solar fortress". This huge fortress complex was built by the Persians and served as protection against attacks by neighboring states. The history of Naryn-Kal is rich in events and cultural influences. It belonged to the Sassanid Persians, the Arab caliphate, was the residence of the emirs and the parking place of the Russian garrison. Its construction dates back to the VI century, but in subsequent centuries the fortress was rebuilt and supplemented with new facilities, up to the XIX century.

Today Derbent Fortress is an open-air museum. It covers an area of 4.5 hectares, the thickness of the protective walls is about 3-4 meters, the height in places reaches up to 18 meters. You will have to walk along it a lot, and if you want to see everything here, then for a long time. Even an independent cursory inspection will take at least an hour, and with a good excursion even more, but time will fly by unnoticed.

There are many interesting historical objects inside the fortress walls that deserve attention:

• Naryn-kala-kapa gate VI-XIX centuries.
• The gates of Dag-kapa VI-XIX centuries.
• Khan's chancellery (commandant's house) XVIII-XIX centuries.
• The small underground prison (zindan) of the XVIII century.
• Underground prison (zindan) XIV-XVIII centuries.
• Construction of the Kala-bulag spring of the XVII-XIX centuries.
• Reservoirs are round, rectangular and cruciform VI-XVIII centuries.
• The guardhouse of 1827
• Khan's Palace XVIII-XIX centuries.
• Khan's bath of the XVI-XVII centuries.
• Stone sarcophagi of the XI-XVII centuries.
• Christian cross-domed temple of the IV century.

The entrance fee to Naryn-Kala includes visits to all these objects and fortress museums, you will not have to pay extra for anything. For example, at the entrance to the territory of the fortress, a museum with a collection of archaeological finds found within the fortress and urban surroundings is organized in the premises of the Khan's Chancellery.

Information signs with the name and description are installed at each attraction on the territory. There are information boards indicating the location of objects and the optimal route for their inspection. If you will inspect the fortress yourself, it is very convenient. You can also download the audio guide app for self-inspection.

Along the perimeter along the fortress walls, and in some places directly along the wall, you can move freely. From the walls there are good views of Derbent and its surroundings, you can see the sea.

A souvenir sale and a photo zone in traditional costumes are organized for visitors. In the cafe you can have a snack and quench your thirst with herbal tea, cool off with ice cream. There is a free toilet on site, however, there is always a queue.

In general, the Naryn-Kala Citadel is an incredibly interesting place, well-equipped to visit, and a must-visit. All the surviving buildings or their remains are in excellent condition, traces of restoration are visible.