Jeyrakh-Assin Reserve
Jeyrakh-Assin Reserve

The Jeyrakh-Assin historical, architectural and natural museum-reserve is located within the boundaries of the Jeyrakh district of the Republic of Ingushetia on the northern slopes of the foothills of the Central part of the Greater Caucasus Range. The reserve was established on June 2, 1988. The area of the reserve is slightly more than 627 square kilometers. The activity of the reserve is aimed at ensuring the preservation, restoration and study of territorial complexes of cultural and natural heritage, material and spiritual values in their traditional historical (cultural and natural) environment. On the territory of the museum-reserve there are 122 ancient architectural complexes, including more than 2,670 objects of cultural significance, including defensive and residential towers, burial crypts, Christian and pagan sanctuaries and temples. The oldest buildings of the megalithic type belong to the middle of the second millennium BC. Every year, significant scientific discoveries are made on the territory of the reserve, new objects are identified, archaeological expeditions are constantly working, scientists from all over the world come. Since 1996, the reserve has been a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Significant value in the reserve is given to work on creating conditions for the development of organized tourism, its educational and service component.

The historical and architectural complex “Pyaling” consists of Lower Pyaling and Upper Pyaling. It got its name from the river in the valley where it is located.

Lower Pyalin is a powerful castle complex on a rocky outcrop on the left bank of the river. It includes a semi-ruined battle tower and seven residential towers with outbuildings, with a defensive wall around the outer perimeter and a complex system of passageways with loopholes inside.

Upper Pyalin is a large historical and architectural complex located, like Lower Pyalin, under the Tsorey-Loam ridge, 1.3 km northeast of Tish-Evli. Four battle towers and 16 semi-ruined residential towers with farm buildings and defensive extensions are relatively well preserved here, united by defensive walls into a powerful castle complex, where each battle tower is in a separate castle complex.

On the mountain slope, there are three semi-ruined collective crypt tombs measuring 2.5 x 3.7 m, dug into the mountain slope. All three crypts are neatly built on lime mortar.

On the northeastern outskirts of Upper Pyalin, on a massive rock, stands a half-ruined sanctuary 1.5 m high. According to legend, this pillar-shaped sanctuary was built on the spot where a man was killed by lightning. And north of Upper Pyalin, there is a cult site dedicated to the pagan deity “Yelta.”

It is a cultural heritage site of regional significance, located within the boundaries of the Dzejrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve and subject to state protection.

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