Motsarkh
Public
ID:1a16•••1ed0
16.01.2025

The Motsarkh architectural complex is located in the village of Motsarkh, Urus-Martan district, 5 km east of Lake Galanchozh, northeast of the village of Khaibakh. Dated XIII-XX c.

It consists of dwelling towers of different centuries, rock towers and a mosque. The dwelling towers are in a dilapidated state. They have no covering and inter-storey ceilings. The mosque has been restored and is in good condition. To the east of the village in the rocky niche of the Nashkhoy-lam mountain there are rock towers, which are a niche in the rock built up by a stone wall with entrance and window openings and loopholes. They are in satisfactory condition. There are petroglyphs of various kinds on the walls of the towers, which are of great interest to researchers of pagan cults. The towers themselves are an example of Chechen medieval fortification and dwelling architecture.

According to legend, the village of Motsarkh was the cult center of the Chechen region, and its name is related to the Georgian “motskvari - pop”. According to some researchers, almost all medieval structures preserved here were built by masons from neighbouring districts.

The Motsarkh architectural complex is a cultural heritage site and is located on the territory of the Argun Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve.