The Ancient Aqueduct in Uchkulan: A Mysterious Structure at the Foot of the Mountains

Overview and Is It Worth Visiting

On the slope of the mountain along the Kuban River in the village of Uchkulan, the remains of an ancient stone aqueduct have been preserved — an engineering structure. It's hard to call it a major tourist attraction: there are no information boards, no designated tourist trail, and there's practically no reliable historical information about it. But if you find yourself in the Uchkulan Gorge, this site can certainly become an interesting addition to your route — especially since it's located right next to the folk narzan spring and the confluence of the Ullukam and Uchkulan rivers (one of the versions of the source of the Kuban).

As for the origin of the aqueduct, we know of at least two versions. According to the first, it's an ancient extended water pipeline built by the Turks to supply water to this region of the Caucasus. The second version states that the water channel was built by the ancestors of the Salpagarov family in the 19th century for domestic needs. It's possible that both versions are partially true: a new aqueduct could have been built on the site of an older, more ancient structure. But these are just our assumptions — unfortunately, there are no precise historical records. Even the age of the structure remains a mystery.

Despite the lack of historical clarity, the structure itself looks impressive. The stone masonry, in places preserved almost a meter high, stretches along the slope. It's clear that the builders approached the task thoroughly. If you're interested in history, engineering, or simply enjoy finding unconventional sights during your travels, it's worth setting aside 15–20 minutes to see this aqueduct. Especially since it's within walking distance of two other points of interest in Uchkulan.

Below, we'll tell you how to find the aqueduct, combine its viewing with the narzan spring and the river confluence, and what else you should know before visiting.