Derinkuyu underground city. City or village? Is it worth moving to the village?

General information and history

Derbent is located in the southeast of the Republic of Dagestan on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is the oldest city in Russia (438). The total area is 69.63 km².

During its existence, the city experienced many destructions and assaults, prosperity and decline. Its significance was also explained by the fact that the Great Silk Road lay through it. They tried to different time capture Parthia, Roman and Byzantine Empire, as well as the Sassanids. Starting from the 5th century, the city began to develop intensively, and it was also more fortified. In 552, the Khazars attacked Derbent.

In the next century, the city was conquered by the Arabs. They made it the most significant stronghold in the Caucasus, as well as a political, military and ideological center. Then Derbent was significantly expanded, which turned it into the most Big city in the Caucasus. Agriculture developed there, international trade and crafts. After half a millennium, the city came under the rule of the Seljuk Turks, and in the 12th century it remained independent for a hundred years, after which it became part of the Golden Horde. After this, the city became poorer.

In March 1668, Stepan Razin began his campaign from here.

At the beginning of the 18th century the city began to belong to Russian Empire, after signing a peace treaty with Persia. But in the 30s, Derbent again passed to Iran. In 1813, the city, forever, became part of the Russian Empire. Within three decades, he had become wealthy, largely from the cultivation of poppies and madder (the plant from which the dye was made). Also local residents engaged in viticulture, gardening and fishing. Before the 20th century, the city appeared Railway from Baku to Makhachkala.

Districts of Derbent

The city has no official administrative-territorial division. Local residents highlight such areas as Quarry, Magaly, Prospect, or the Twelve-Story District, the Station District, the Cognac Factory District, the Center and the Central District Hospital.

Population of Derbent for 2018 and 2019. Number of residents of Derbent

Data on the number of city residents are taken from the federal service state statistics. The official website of the Rosstat service is www.gks.ru.

The data was also taken from the unified interdepartmental information and statistical system, the official website of EMISS www.fedstat.ru.

The website publishes data on the number of residents of Derbent. The table shows the distribution of the number of residents of Derbent by year; the graph below shows the demographic trend in different years.

Graph of population changes in Derbent:

The total population at the beginning of 2014 was approximately 120 thousand people, and the density was 1615.2 people/km². In terms of population, Derbent ranks 136th in the list of Russian cities and third in Dagestan.

Every ten years the number of citizens increases by about 20 thousand. Every year, the birth rate is twice as high as the death rate.

Most of all there are minors in Derbent. The national composition, as of 2010, is distributed as follows: Lezgins (33.7%), Azerbaijanis (32.3%), Tabasarans (15.8%), Dargins (5.6%), Russians (3.7%). ), Aguls (3.2%), Armenians (1.2%), Jews, including mountaineers (1.1%), Rutulians (0.8%) and other peoples (2.6%). The city of Derbent is located on the territory of the state (country) Russia.

, which in turn is located on the territory of the continent

Europe

Which federal district does the city of Derbent belong to? The city of Derbent is part of the federal district: North Caucasus..

Federal District is an enlarged territory consisting of several entities

Russian Federation

In what region is the city of Derbent located? The city of Derbent is part of the Republic of Dagestan region. A characteristic of a region or subject of a country is the integrity and interconnection of its constituent elements, including cities and other

settlements

, included in the region.

The region of the Republic of Dagestan is an administrative unit of the state of Russia.

Population of the city of Derbent.

The population of the city of Derbent is 123,162 people.

Year of foundation of Derbent.

Year of foundation of the city of Derbent: 438.

What time zone is Derbent located in?

The city of Derbent is located in the administrative time zone: UTC+4. Thus, you can determine the time difference in the city of Derbent, relative to the time zone in your city. Derbent city telephone code Telephone code city ​​of Derbent: +7 87240. To call the city of Derbent from

mobile phone

Website of the city of Derbent, official website of the city of Derbent, or as it is also called “Official website of the administration of the city of Derbent”: http://www.derbent.org/.

Internal division:

4th millennium BC e.

Former name:

Bab al-Abwab

Climate type:

Subtropical climate

Population:

112,466 people (2010)

Population:

1607 people/km²

National composition:

Lezgins, Azerbaijanis, Tabasarans, Dargins, Mountain Jews, Russians, Armenians

Confessional composition:

Islam, Christianity, Judaism

Ethnic burial:

Derbents, Derbentets, Derbentka

Timezone:

UTC+3, in summer UTC+4

Telephone code:

Postcode:

Vehicle code:

Official site:

Geographical position

City `s history

Ancient period

Capital of the Derbent Emirate

From Seljuks to Safavids

Between Russia and Persia

Bab al-Abwab

Chronology

Coat of arms of Derbent

Description of the coat of arms

City population

Attractions

Notable natives

Derbent athletes

Twin Cities

Derbent- a city in Dagestan on a narrow passage between the Caspian Sea and the foothills of the Caucasus. Derbent is the most Southern City Russian Federation. The city and the adjacent Derbent region are located in the semi-arid subtropics.

Derbent is one of the oldest “living” cities in the world. The first settlements arose here in the Early Bronze Age - at the end of the 4th millennium BC. e.. The first mention of the Caspian Gate is the most ancient name Derbent - dates back to the 6th century. BC e., it is cited by the famous ancient Greek geographer Hecataeus of Miletus.

Geographical position

The city is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, near the mouth of the Samuri Rubas River, where the Greater Caucasus Mountains come closest to the Caspian Sea, leaving only a narrow three-kilometer strip of plain; closing it, the city formed the so-called Derbent or Caspian passage. The role of Derbent and the Derbent Passage was great; it was located in one of the most strategically important and topographically convenient places of the famous Caspian route connecting Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

City `s history

Ancient period

The importance of this passage was the reason for the aggressive aspirations of the Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans, Huns, Khazars and others. He experienced turbulent historical events, assaults and destruction, periods of decline and prosperity. One of the most important sections of the Great Silk Road lay here, and Derbent acted as a crossroads of civilization, connecting East and West, North and South.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus was one of the first to provide information about the “Derbent Passage” in the 5th century BC. e. The Roman Empire also showed great interest in the city, the first expedition of which was organized under Seleucus I in 290-281 BC. e. In 66-65 BC. e. Lucullus and Pompey carried out military campaigns in the Caucasus, one of the main goals of which was the capture of Derbent.

The successors of Rome and Parthia in the struggle for the Caucasus in the early Middle Ages were Byzantium and Sasanian Iran.

An important fact in the history of Derbent, which was part of Caucasian Albania under the name Chola, was the adoption of Christianity in 313. From the 5th century, the active development of the city began, as well as grandiose fortification construction, designed to protect Western Asia from a new wave of nomads - the Turkic tribes of the Huns and Khazars. 439-457 - construction of fortifications by Yazdegerd I; in 488-531, the adobe walls were replaced with stone masonry by Khosrow I Anushirvan. The fortress begins to take on the appearance that has survived to this day.

The growing power and wealth of Derbent could not help but attract powerful neighbors. In 552, the Khazars attacked the city. The Patriarchal throne, for the purpose of salvation, is transferred from the city of Chola (Derbent) to the city of Partav. According to Yu. D. Brutskus, some of the Jews moved from Persia to Derbent during this period.

Capital of the Derbent Emirate

During the collapse of the Caliphate, the residents of Derbent in 869 proclaimed Hashim ibn Surak as their emir, who became the founder of the Hashemid dynasty. During the reign of his son Muhammad I in 901, the Khazars, led by King K-sa ibn Buljan, attacked Derbent, but were repulsed. In 969, Emir Ahmad built a citadel and fortified himself in it.

From Seljuks to Safavids

In 1067-71 the city was captured by the Seljuk Turks. In XII, an independent principality was again formed in Derbent, which existed for a relatively short time - until 1239, when Derbent, conquered by the Mongols, became part of the Golden Horde. The city is gradually falling into economic decline.

In 1395, Tamerlane entered the Terek Valley through the Derbent Passage and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Golden Horde troops on its banks. In the same year, he handed over Derbent to Shirvanshah Ibrahim I, entrusting the protection of the Debent Pass.

In the XVI-XVII centuries. Derbent is the scene of fierce wars between Ottoman Empire and the Safavid state, until in 1606, under the Persian Shah Abbas I, Derbent became part of Persia.

Between Russia and Persia

At the beginning of the 18th century, when the threat of the Persian and Turkish-Ottoman conquest of the Caspian regions loomed, Peter I undertook the famous Persian (Caspian) campaign. On August 5, 1722, the Russian army under the command of Admiral General Apraksin moved towards Derbent, and on August 15, a transport flotilla (21 ships) with artillery and provisions under the command of Captain Verdun arrived at the city. On August 23, the Russian army occupied the city. On August 30, Peter I wrote to Admiral Kruys from Derbent:

On September 12, Russia concluded a peace treaty with Persia, according to which Russia received the city of Derbent and the adjacent regions.

At the beginning of the 18th century, when the threat of Iranian and Turkish conquest of the Caspian regions loomed, Peter I undertook the famous Persian (Caspian) campaign (1722-1723). Derbent occupied a special place in the plans of Peter the Great. On August 23, 1722, Peter I with a large army arrived in Derbent. The population of the city, led by the local naib Imam Kulibek and the Muslim clergy, solemnly greeted the Russian emperor and presented him with two silver keys to the city gates and the book “Derbent Name”, which tells about the history of the city. Peter I paid special attention to its historical monuments. The scientists and specialists who were in his retinue: Kantemir, Gerber, Soimonov gave the first description of historical monuments and laid the foundation for the study of Derbent.

Measures were taken to protect and improve the city, it was ordered to build a harbor according to the drawing, food warehouses, hospitals, and trading posts of Russian merchants were opened. Peter I granted the people of Derbent the right to free trade within Russia, and planned the development of viticulture, winemaking, and sericulture here. But a storm began, which destroyed 30 cargo ships. There was not enough food, and it was not possible to get bread in the rebellion-ridden lands of Shirvan and Mushkur. An epizootic began - 1,700 horses died in one night. As a result, the military council decided to suspend the advance to the south, and Peter I turned back, leaving a small garrison in the city. In 1735, according to the Treaty of Ganja, Derbent again ceded to Iran. In 1747, the city became the center of the Derbent Khanate, the residence of Nadir Shah. from 1758 - the reign of Fet Ali Khan.

In the spring of 1795, Persian troops led by the founder of the Qajar dynasty, Agha Mohammed, invaded Kakheti, and on September 12 captured and plundered Tbilisi. Fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty of Georgievsk of 1783, the Russian government sent the Caspian Corps (about 13 thousand people) from Kizlyar through Dagestan to Persia.

On May 2, 1796, the commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Count Valerian Aleksandrovich Zubov, approached Derbent and began storming the city. On May 10, a white flag was thrown out on the fortress wall, and after that Khan Sheikh Ali Khan appeared in the Russian camp. On the same day, Major General Savelyev was appointed commandant of the Derbent fortress, and on May 13, Commander-in-Chief Zubov solemnly entered the city. Sheikh Ali Khan remained in the Russian camp as an honorary prisoner until he escaped. Zubov restored calm in Derbent, and transferred the khanate to the management of the khan’s uncle, Kassim. With the accession of Paul I to the Russian throne and the change in course foreign policy, in December of the same year, Russian troops were recalled from Transcaucasia, and all conquered regions were returned. In 1799 younger son Cuban Khan Fatali Khan - Hasan was proclaimed Khan of Derbent. Having gathered a strong army, Sheikh Ali Khan moved to Derbent, but the twelve-day siege of the city did not bring him success and he was forced to make peace with Hasan Khan and recognize his rights to Derbent. After the death of the Derbent Khan in 1802, Sheikh Ali Khan annexed the Derbent possession to the Kuba Khanate.

In 1813, according to the Gulistan Peace Treaty, it was annexed to Russia; from 1846 it became a provincial town and was part of the Dagestan region. Since the 1840s experienced a rapid economic boom, associated, in particular, with the development of madder farming (growing madder, a plant from which a cheap dye was obtained). In addition to the cultivation and processing of madder and poppy, the occupations of the residents of Derbent in the 19th century. there were gardening, viticulture and fishing. In 1898, the Petrovsk-Port (former name of Makhachkala) - Baku railway passed through Derbent.

Climate

Continental, transitional from temperate to subtropical.

The average annual temperature in Derbent is positive: +12.5 °C, the average monthly temperature in January is +3.1 °C (minimum −35 °C), the average monthly temperature in July is +23.3 °C (maximum +44 °C). The duration of the warm period is 270 days. Precipitation averages 800 mm per year; the rainiest month is October.

• Average annual air temperature - 12.5 °C
• Relative humidity air - 69.5%
• average speed wind - 6.0 m/s

Average daily air temperature in Derbent according to NASA

Derbent water temperature

Bab al-Abwab

Bab al-Abwab- often given in abbreviated form as al-Bab, the Arabic name for the city of Derbent.

Literally Bab-al-Abwab (al-Bab) meant the Main (Great) Gate, Gate of the Gate. It was named so because of the role that Derbent played in the geopolitics of the early Middle Ages, being the most important strategic point on trade routes from Europe to Asia.

Derbent was renamed Bab-al-Abwab (al-Bab) after the Arab conquest in the early 8th century. Appeared under this name in Arab historical and geographical literature. For some time it also became widespread in Iranian and Turkic-language literature. After the fall of the Arab Caliphate and the formation of independent states in the region, the city began to be called in the old way, Derbent.

Chronology

• From about 5-4 centuries. BC e. on the site of Derbent there was a nomadic camp of the Massagetae tribes.
• Around the 2nd century. BC e. a city was built on the site, known in ancient and medieval sources as Chola.
• From the end of the 1st century. BC e. Chola is the capital of the Maskut (Massaget) tribal union, often called the Kingdom of Maskut in historical sources.
• From the 1st century n. e. The Chola, like the entire Maskut kingdom, were in vassal dependence on the kings of Caucasian Albania.
• In the 6th century n. e. The Sassanian Shah Kavad, having subjugated the Maskuts to the Sassanid authorities, began rebuilding and strengthening the Chola.
• In the 6th century n. e. Sasanian Shah Khosrow Anushirvan, completely completed the reconstruction of the Chola fortress, at the same time changing its name to Derbent. The fortress guarded the passage between the Caucasus Mountains (Tabasaran Range) and the Caspian Sea, located on the route between Europe and Western Asia, which is reflected in the name: the Iranian “derbend” means “road junction”.
• During this period, some of the Jews moved from Persia to Derbent. The beginning of the formation of a community of Jews, the first monotheists in the region.
• In the 630s. Derbent was captured by the Khazars.
• Under the Grand Duke of Caucasian Albania, Javanshir, Derbent, like the entire Maskut region, was annexed to Caucasian Albania.
• Since 652 Derbent has been part of the Arab Caliphate. Mosques were built in the city, 24 thousand Syrians were resettled here, the city was divided into mahals (neighborhoods), most of the residents converted to Islam.
• 730 - adoption of Judaism by the Khazars (presumably under the influence of the Jews of Derbent).
• In the 8th century Derbent is a major military-political center of the Caucasus, in which the residence of the governor of the caliph was located. In the 10th century, with the collapse of the Arab Caliphate, Derbent became the center of an independent emirate.
• From the 9th century Derbent under the influence of the state of the Shirvanshahs.
• In 1071 the city was captured by the Seljuk Turks.
• From the 12th century Derbent was part of the state of the Shirvanshahs, which was in vassal dependence on the State of the Great Atabeks of Azerbaijan.
• In the 13th century Derbent, like the entire state of the Shirvanshahs, was conquered by the Mongols.
• In the XVI - early XVIII centuries. Derbent is part of Safavid Iran.
• August 23 - September 6, 1722 - Peter I in Derbent.
• Since 1743, the center of the Derbent Khanate of the Safavid and Afshar state, the residence of Nadir Shah.
• In the 18th century With the death of Nadir Shah Afshar, the Khan of Derbent declared his independence.
• In the 18th century Derbent with the Khanate was annexed by Fatali Khan of Kuba to the Kuba Khanate.
• In 1796 it was conquered by Russian troops.
• in 1813 it was annexed to the Russian Empire.
• Since 1840 Derbent has been a district town, and since 1846 it has been a town town.
• Since the 1840s experienced a rapid economic boom, associated, in particular, with the cultivation of madder, a plant from which a cheap dye was obtained. In the 19th century Gardening, viticulture and fishing were also developed.
• In 1898, the Petrovsk-Port (now Makhachkala) - Baku railway passed through Derbent.

Coat of arms of Derbent

The coat of arms of the Derbent district was approved on March 21, 1843, along with other coats of arms of the Caspian region of the Russian Empire, to which the city then belonged. Later, this coat of arms, without changes, became the coat of arms of the city of Derbent.

The city's flag has not yet been approved.

Description of the coat of arms

In the upper half of the shield, which has a golden field, part of the coat of arms of the Caspian region is repeated: on the left is a standing tiger, and on the right is ignited gas flying out of the ground in streams; in the lower one, which has a silver field: on the left - an old fortress wall with a gate, resting on one side against the ridge of the mountains, and on the other adjacent to the sea, on the right - the intertwined roots of a madder plant and several stems of poppies tied with a golden rope, as a sign that Residents are processing madder with great success and growing poppies to make medicinal opium (shiryak) from it. The cultivation of madder, a source of valuable dye, was given to the world by Derbent resident Kelbalay Hussein.

City population

According to the Russian historian S. M. Bronevsky,

According to Encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron:

According to the 1897 census, 14,649 people lived in the city. (of which Azerbaijanis, called at that time Aderbeijan Tatars - 9,767 people, Jews - 2,181 people, Russians - 1,092 people).

The population of the city is currently about 130 thousand [30% Lezgins, 25% Tabasarans, 24% Azerbaijanis. 5% Dargins] people, the increase is mainly of a natural nature (+5 per 1000 people per year), although the fastest population growth occurred in the 1950-1980s.

National composition according to the 2002 census

Lezgins - 30,955 - 30.62%;

Tabasarans - 29,606 - 25.45%;

Aguls - 2,956 - 2.93%;

Rutuli - 715 - 0.71%.

• Azerbaijanis - 29,064 - 24.74%;
• Dargins - 5,582 - 5.53%;
• Russians - 5,073 - 4.02%;
• Jews - 2,038 - 2.02%;
• Tatas - 2,038 - 2.02%;
• Armenians - 1,534 - 1.52%;
• Kumyks - 552 - 0.55%;
• Avars - 442 - 0.44%;
• Laks - 436 - 0.43%.

Attractions

A monumental witness to the era of the Great Migration of Peoples and an outstanding monument of defensive architecture, the Derben fortress complex performed defensive functions for 1,500 years. It includes the Naryn-Kala fortress, where two long city walls lead, which completely blocked the passage and went into the sea, forming a port. In 2003, UNESCO recognized the old part of Derbent with traditional buildings as a World Heritage Site, highlighting the following monuments:

• Derbent wall- a double wall from the Sassanid times, blocking the Caspian Gate. The wall was used for defensive purposes by the Persians, Arabs and Mongols (Ilkhans, Timurids) for 15 centuries. It is the only surviving monument of ancient Persian fortification architecture.
• Naryn-Kala- an ancient fortress with an area of ​​4.5 hectares, which rises above Derbent from the mountain. Inside there are baths, water tanks in case of siege and ruined buildings that suggest great antiquity. These include a cross-domed church of the 5th century, later rebuilt as a temple of fire worshipers and a mosque. The Shah's palace has survived to this day in ruins.
• Juma Mosque is the oldest mosque in Russia. This is a temple seized by Arab invaders and converted into a mosque. The temple was created long before the Arabs arrived in Derbent. Therefore, this mosque has an entrance from the south, and not from the north, as mosques should have. Amri Shikhsaidov first wrote about this in his book “Dagestan Shrines”. In front of the mosque is a 15th century madrasah.

The importance of the city for the Republic of Dagestan and the Russian Federation

Derbent is the oldest cultural center of Dagestan, the crucible of its spiritual and material culture, from where art, artistic craft, writing, and the values ​​of Islam and other world religions spread. A combination of unique historical, architectural and archeological monuments with splendor natural landscapes and favorable climate impart importance to the entire region major center domestic and international tourism.

Notable natives

• Al-Lakzi Mammus (approximately 1040-1110) - an influential sheikh of Bab al-Abwab (Derbent), author of the chronicle “The History of Derbent and Shirvan”, was born into a family of immigrants from the Lezgin country - Lakz.
• Abramov, Shetiel Semyonovich - (November 11, 1918 - May 14, 2004) - Hero Soviet Union(1945), lieutenant colonel (1995).
• Alekberli Mamed-Kasir Alekberovich is the head of the Department of General History of DSU.
• Aliyev, Shamsulla Feyzulla oglu - Hero of the Soviet Union.
• Gaidarov, Naum Kasyanovich - major general, participant Caucasian War and Central Asian campaigns.
• Gasanov, Genrikh Alievich (born May 1, 1900) - rear admiral, doctor technical sciences, chief designer ship steam boilers and steam generators, nuclear reactor engines sea ​​ships, Hero of Socialist Labor (1970). Lenin Prize (1958), USSR State Prize (1942).
• Gasanov, Gottfried Alievich - composer, founder of Dagestan professional musical creativity, Honored Artist of the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1943), Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1960). Author of the first Dagestan works of musical and theatrical genres (opera, ballet, musical comedy). The Makhachkala Music College is named after Gottfried Hasanov.
• Gut, Fortunat Ferdinandovich (October 6, 1861 - after 1935) - famous Siberian builder and architect
• Jasmine, née Sara Manakhimova, is a singer, Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan.
• Zeynalli, Assef Zeynalabdin oglu - the first Azerbaijani composer to receive professional education within the walls of the Azerbaijan State Conservatory.
• Kazembek Mirza is a prominent linguist and orientalist, three times awarded the Demidov Prize, a member of the Royal British and Irish Society in London, the Society of Royal Northern Antiquaries in Copenhagen, etc. In 1869, he was elected an honorary doctor of St. Petersburg University.
• Kaziakhmedov, Felix Gadzhiakhmedovich - head of the administration of the city of Derbent since August 2000, for services to the republic in 1999 he was awarded the honorary title “Honored Economist of the Republic of Dagestan”, chairman of the Dagestan branch of UNESCO.
• Rasulbekov, Huseyn Dzhumshudovich - Lieutenant General of Artillery, Commander of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces of the Baku Air Defense District; Minister of Communications of the Azerbaijan SSR.
• Suleiman Kerimov (born March 12, 1966) is an entrepreneur, member of the Federation Council from Dagestan. Controls the financial and industrial group Nafta-Moscow.
• Mamedova, Shafiga Gashim kyzy - theater and film actress, People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR.
• Sadikhov Nedzhmeddin Huseyn oglu - lieutenant general, chief General Staff Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
• Shikhsaidov, Amri Rzaevich (born in 1928) - one of the founders of the modern Dagestan school of Arabic studies, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Dagestan, laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation.
• Eldarov, Omar Hasan oglu - sculptor-monumentalist, People's Artist of Azerbaijan, full member Russian Academy arts, president of the Azerbaijani State Academy Arts
• Yusufov, Igor Khanukovich - Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, former minister energy industry of the Russian Federation.
• Ragimova Duriya Gulbaba-kyzy is an actress of the Azerbaijan State Theater. People's Artist of the Republic of Dagestan

Derbent athletes

• Erzi Babaeva(arm wrestling) - Champion of Russia among students (2009). Captain of the Derbentsky team medical school. The champion is trained by Javid Mirzakuliev.

• Agamirza Alimirzoev(checkers) - Bronze medalist of the Russian Championship among the visually impaired, Silver medalist of the Championship of the Republic of Dagestan in Russian drafts (2009), Winner of the Dagestan Cup in Russian drafts (2010), Bronze medalist of the Championship of the Republic of South Ossetia in blitz (2010). Candidate Master of Sports of Russia.

– Are you planning to move to the village? You are mad, are not you? What to do there, in this hole?... - these were the words of my former bass guitarist, who became an ex not because of these words. Similar words came out of the mouths of many, many of my friends, relatives, acquaintances and colleagues. But desire moving to the village turned into the move itself for seven long years... Much was changed, revised, weighed, rejected, brought back to life. I had no fear. Unlike his wife. But it’s understandable. I, one might say, from my youthful nails and baby teeth was almost a full-fledged village resident . And my wife only knew about the village that it existed somewhere, since books were written and films were made about it. There is dirt, complete unsanitary conditions, a drunk sits on a drunk and drives the drunk. And in general, everything is terrible and bad. True, this is only at the very beginning. Before your first visit to the purchased plot of land. Then everything became easier. The wife was imbued with understanding and decided for herself that moving from the city to the village was something she needed too.

Is it worth moving to the countryside?

And now to the practical side of things. But really, Is it worth moving from city to village? The main issues, of course, are income, access to a hospital and education for children. I will say that everything VERY much depends on what exactly you want. But in any case, life in the village is a step only for brave, independent, self-sufficient, enterprising and smart people. Only truly free people who do not need relatives, the government, deputies, officials or aliens to take care of them can live well in the countryside. They don’t need to count on their neighbors to help, the locals won’t leave them in trouble...

What to do in the village?

Anything! The choice is quite wide, but it is tied to your own business activities much more strongly than in the city. In the city you can find “a stable, well-paid job, where everything is officially paid, even sick leave.” True, you can just as easily be kicked out of this job. So a stable job is a fairy tale for those who live on credit and are afraid of being left without their usual job. There is little or no work in the village, in the urban sense. The entire burden of survival and making money falls on your shoulders. If you think this is scary or unrealistic, then remember that just a century ago people lived like this even in cities. Do you want to earn a living? Learn to do something useful and necessary for others and work on creating customer base. Hard? Scary? So what to do? Dying from hunger is much worse. There will be no business ideas here, and they are not needed. You can do small work - cut people's hair at home, weave baskets, or do artistic forging. You can do equipment repairs and welding work. Yes, at least dig holes. And, of course, not engaging in agriculture in the village is the same as not swimming in the sea when living on the coast.

There is no entertainment in the village ?

What kind of entertainment do you need? Cinemas? Restaurants? Night clubs? Firstly, if you need all this almost every day, then you have just visited the wrong site. Secondly, if you did go to that very site, remember how often you go to cinemas in the city? I only went to the cinema in the city for the premieres of some really interesting or outstanding films. About twice a year. I stopped going to restaurants altogether, because, being a musician, I often perform in restaurant-like establishments. I can eat anything in them, and drink too. These are the conditions. I have long been convinced that restaurants are pure foppery. And they are created for dudes. Now also in order to replenish content on Instagram. The only good reason for me to come to a restaurant is to enjoy good live music, which is rare these days. All! I went to cafes much more often. But, as a rule, it’s just to eat when you’re not at home and really want to eat, or when you’re meeting a friend you haven’t seen for several years. It seems to me that if you don’t eat in a cafe every day, then this is a very dubious obstacle.

And there is entertainment in the village. Even a lot. Only they are unusual for a city dweller. And they may simply not even occur to him. For example, the simplest thing is to take a walk in the nature around you. It's not the same as in the city. You don’t have to pack your bags, load them into the car and go to hell in the middle of nowhere, and then indulge in setting fire to meat of unknown origin bought in the supermarket and drinking alcohol in quantities that would make even a seasoned pirate from Tortuga blush. You don't need any of that here. We put on our shoes, got dressed and went out the gate. You don't need to carry anything with you. Everything you might need can fit in your pockets. And you are not limited by anything or anyone. Exploring the area around where you live is an amazing experience. You can go fishing and hunting without going on an expedition. You can ride horses and even keep your own horse. You can exercise outdoors all year round. You can indulge in any hobby or work that brings you pleasure. And, as a rule, it won't cost you a penny. In addition, in some villages, locals organize fun local holidays, when the whole village walks. It's fun and not at all life-threatening, as many people imagine. Contrary to established stereotypes, hillbillies are quite friendly people, and holidays do not turn into unbridled drinking bouts with obligatory massacres. Although, in some areas this is possible. But I didn’t see it with my own eyes.

Medicine in rural areas

What about medicine? Medicine in the village , in most cases, leaves much to be desired. As a rule, due to a chronic shortage of specialists. The same notorious problem of “dying villages”. So, as with everything in your life, all of your healthcare risks fall on your shoulders. If you have normal health without chronic and dangerous diseases, then there is nothing wrong with that. In addition, it has long been proven that life in the village greatly strengthens that same health.

Education in the village

Education in villages is usually represented by high school and some half-dead vocational school. Because of all this confusion with the Unified State Examination, village schools are quite equal to city schools in terms of the quality of education. But in terms of the quality of teaching, there are often phenomena when rural teachers can give city teachers a head start even to the horizon. But, of course, the opposite happens.

So is it worth moving to the village? ? What to choose city ​​or village? I answered this question to myself a long time ago. And I don’t understand at all how you can live normally in the city, especially if it’s industrial city. If you want to become another villager, then accept independent decision. Calculate everything very well and act. It's like building a house. Only here you will also need to build your other life.

Ilya Gladilin, Kotovets village, Kursk region.

Derbent is called differently. Some people like to repeat that this is “the most ancient city Russia", others emphasize that this is a city-"open-air museum", the Arabs - the founders of the oldest districts of the city called it "Bab al-Abwab" ("gate of the gate", "main gate"), and some contemptuously The city's name is Bombay (referring to the dirty, noisy bazaars and the huge number of Ant scooters on them, reminiscent of taxi-rickshaws).

But no matter what this city with an area of ​​7.1 km2 is called, Derbent has been around for 5 millennia (established exactly in 1971 when archaeological excavations) stands unshakably and proudly on the western shore of the lake called the Caspian Sea. In the place where Derbent is located, there is almost no land left between the mountains and the sea, only a narrow strip of 2-3 km along the coast. This is where this second largest city in Dagestan is located. And once upon a time, a very, very long time ago (even when there was no city here), this strip of land was a caravan route from Europe to Asia and was called the Caspian Passage.

Over the 5 thousand years of its existence, no one has visited Derbent and tried to capture it: both mythical tribes (Yajuja and Majuja) and countless real conquerors (Arabs, Mongols, Sasanians, Turks). They shouldn’t have claimed power in the city, which was one of the main trade and craft centers of the Caucasus. Only (!) through Derbent in ancient times was it possible to get to the Middle East, which was actively used for some time by various kinds of steppe nomads (Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans, Huns, etc.), devastating everything in their path.

Finally, the landowners who lived in these places, unable to calm the inhabitants of the steppes, decided to block the Caspian passage. So, in the 6th century AD. a whole defensive complex appeared here, completely blocking the entire passage. These fortifications began with a citadel located on the top of a hill (where it still stands to this day), and stretched with two parallel walls that went down and closed far into the sea (now only fragments of these walls have survived). Since then, Derbent has been completely protected from any attacks, and in 1813 the city, along with the rest of Dagestan, became part of.

Ecology and climate of Derbent

In Derbent, thanks to the temperate continental climate, almost all days in summer are sunny. Temperatures often reach +35°C in the shade. On such days, the townspeople are saved only by the proximity of the sea, and they do not get out of the water for whole days. Fortunately, the swimming season lasts from May to September, but even in October you can see people swimming in the sea. The coast of the Caspian Sea is not covered with pebbles, but with yellow sea sand with small shells.

Autumn in the city is warm and long. Cold weather (serious for local residents) begins only at the end of November (+8°+9°), and real winter with snow occurs for a maximum of 3 weeks in February (+2°+3°). Spring in Derbent is a little late, starting only in April (+10°+11°).

It would seem that the city can become a wonderful resort place. Here you have mountains, and the sea, and ancient buildings, and a mild climate. Come and relax to your health! But the city’s happy tourist future (at least the immediate one) is hampered by some ecological problems. More precisely, there are only two of them: water pollution in the sea and the poor condition of the streets in terms of cleanliness.

The city is small, there are large industrial enterprises and huge amount There are no cars here that could pollute the environment. But what Derbent residents have not been able to cope with for many years is dirty streets and pollution sea ​​water. It is not clear who is to blame for the fact that the streets of Derbent can hardly be called clean: either the municipal services do not collect garbage on time, or local residents are accustomed to leaving their waste on the street near their houses without taking it to the trash cans. Probably, there is a share of guilt on both sides. But the fact remains a fact.

Campaign “Clean Coast”

Well, as for the problems with clean water, in the 1980s, treatment facilities were built that were supposed to purify water in the sea. But already in the 90s they failed and do not work to this day. The administration does not have enough funds to restore their work. And at this time, all sewage is dumped straight into the sea, where there is no purification...

Population of Derbent

After the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala and the city of Khasavyurt, Derbent is the third largest city in terms of population. About 120 thousand people live in the city (and according to unofficial data - up to 140 thousand). Every 10 years, approximately 20,000 people arrive in Derbent. For example, in 1989, 78.4 thousand residents lived in the city, in 2002 - already 101 thousand, and 120 thousand people were counted in Derbent according to data at the beginning of 2014. Every year, the number of births in the city almost doubles more people than dies. Children and teenagers make up the majority of the population here. Although there are a lot of older people.

Since Derbent is considered the unofficial capital of Southern Dagestan, there are not many Avars, Kumyks and Laks (nationalities of Dagestan living mainly in its northern part). Most of all in the city are Lezgins, then - Azerbaijanis and in third place - Tabasarans (a people who recently began to settle in Derbent).

Interestingly, under Soviet power the situation was completely different. By national composition the city was then dominated by Russians and Jews. And the Azerbaijanis were in first place. In general, Rutulians, Agulians, Armenians, Dargins, and many other nationalities live in Derbent (but not in such large numbers).

There are educational institutions in Derbent different levels: primary, secondary, higher. Something, but institutions higher education there is more than enough in the city (considering that the city itself is not that big)! Judging by their number (12), almost the entire population of Derbent should be literate. But, alas, most of the young people graduating from local universities cannot boast of knowledge. And it's not that teaching here is at a low level. The point is in the young people themselves, among whom it is now fashionable to boast about cars and outfits, and not about their honors diploma.

It would be appropriate here to talk about such a new “fashion” among Derbent (and Dagestan too) youth as “a return to the true path of Islam.” During the years of Soviet power, Derbent residents lost the habit of unconditionally following religious dogmas. It is all the more strange for them now to see how more and more young people begin to perform namaz. In Derbent, people are accustomed to the fact that prayers are performed by old people. This is why modern parents find it difficult to come to terms with their children's lifestyle. In addition, every second of the praying young Derbent residents now are adherents of a radical movement in Islam - Wahhabism. Therefore, of course, the parents are against it: after all, the power structures of the republic are destroying the Wahhabists.

There is a problem. But this does not mean that all the youth of Derbent are terrorists and murderers. Basically, these are the same teenagers and young people as in other cities. Maybe they show a little more respect to elders (but this traditional character trait of the Dagestani is gradually disappearing). In general, when compared with other cities of Dagestan, Derbent residents are more tolerant, hospitable and even sincere.

Districts and real estate of Derbent

Derbent is not officially divided into districts. But Derbent residents have their own thoughts on this matter. So, the residents themselves divided the city into several districts with the following (unofficial) names.

Center

This area was indeed the center of the city, but in last years Derbent began to expand greatly to the north, so now such a name for this area is not entirely justified (even completely unjustified!). Nevertheless, Derbent residents stubbornly consider Buinaksky, Pushkin and Lenin streets to be the center of the city.

Here are: the only stadium in the city, clinics, the Derbent branch of Sberbank of Russia, a little further - the main city square and the building of the head of the local administration.

There are both apartment and private houses in this area. A one-room apartment here can be purchased for between 900 thousand and 1 million 200 thousand rubles. A two-room apartment costs from 1 million to 1 million 600 thousand rubles. A three-room apartment will cost 1 million 300 thousand - 2 million rubles.

Magali

Magali (translated from Arabic as “neighborhoods”) is the area from which the history of Derbent as a city began. The oldest urban area. Magals are located directly under the Naryn-Kala citadel, in the upper western part of the city and are neighborhoods with one-story stone buildings. There are no apartment buildings here.

There are 8 mahals in total. The eighth is the highest located, right under the fortress. This part of the city is quite unique. Magals give the city an oriental flavor, reminiscent of Derbent’s special past. One-story houses stuck to each other, leaving almost no space for passage. The streets here are narrow and crooked. Just like some ancient Baghdad.

Behind long history Magala cities have changed little. Tall mansions have just appeared in some places, and even billboards on the walls of houses make you remember that you are not in a medieval eastern city, but in modern Derbent. Most of the city's mosques are located here.

The Magals are inhabited (as in ancient times) mainly by Azerbaijanis. The people in this area are a little different from the rest of the city. They, like their homes, are truly oriental: they love to talk, make trouble, are more temperamental, more spontaneous. It is also believed that there are unfortunately many drug addicts in the area. In general, the rest of the city is quite dismissive of the Magal inhabitants. And “outsiders” (those who don’t live in the area) practically don’t look there. Because to do this you have to climb a steep slope.

Prospect, or Twelve-Story District

The full name is Agasiev Avenue (named in honor of the Dagestan revolutionary). But since there is only one avenue in the city, it is simply called “prospect”. This area is located in the northern part of the city.

This part of the city is relatively young. Previously, the avenue was considered the outskirts, but due to the expansion of the city to the north, this area has become almost the center. Almost the entire business part of the city is concentrated here: various kinds of offices, photo studios, beauty salons, modern large stores, one of the two bus stations in the city, one of the three main markets - “Northern”, the city department of internal affairs, as well as the highest ( until recently) in the city there was a 12-story building - an apartment building. Previously, this house was visible from anywhere in the city. Therefore, the avenue area was sometimes called (and is still called) the 12-story building area. Now there are others in the city no less high buildings, so the second name of the area is gradually losing its relevance.

On Prospect, unlike other areas of the city, life is in full swing at any time of the day (except late at night, when all of Derbent is sleeping). Most of the residential buildings here are multi-storey buildings. There are few private houses.

Prices for apartments in the Prospect area do not differ from prices in the city center.

Station area

The area is named after the railway station located here. In this area, basically all the houses are private. There are several shops, a driving school, flower markets and a railway hospital. Quiet area, activity is noticeable only on the streets immediately adjacent to the station.

The station area of ​​the city is located in a lowland, which is why various incidents sometimes happen here. For example, in the summer of 2010, due to prolonged rainfall, water gushing from the upper part of the city (the level of the canal in the Magal area rose) flooded houses located on the streets near the station.

Central District Hospital

The central district hospital (including the only maternity hospital in the city) is located here, and this part of the city is named after it. The Central District Hospital area is one of the most remote, located in the south of the city. There are both private houses and high-rise buildings here. The houses are located almost on the seashore. The city of Derbent ends here, and an urban-type settlement begins - “K. Marx’s state farm”.

Housing prices in the Central District Hospital area due to the distance from the city are 300-400 thousand rubles. below urban ones.

Career

Another young and rapidly developing district of Derbent is located in the extreme northern part of the city. Previously, there was a quarry here, where workers mined stone from morning to evening. At first, the area was inhabited only by the workers of this quarry and their families. Gradually, this part of the city began to become more and more settled. And now this is a whole area that has come to be called the Quarry.

The quarry area has its own market, its own large shops, its own clinic, and the main city beach - “Breeze” - is also located here. In summer the main street in this area - Kh. Tagiyev Street - can be crowded with cars and people who came to the sea.

There are many private and multi-storey buildings in this area. Housing prices are on average 100 thousand rubles lower due to the distance from the city. Although in recent years people have not been averse to settling in the quarry area, because here there is everything they need for life, and they don’t have to go to the center so often.

However, in the section on the purchase of housing in local advertisements you can often read a note: “Do not offer the quarry area.” But during the swimming season, the owners of rental apartments reap their “harvests”, thanks to the numerous visitors who are ready to pay well for an apartment near the sea.

Cognac Factory District

This area is located in the southern part of the city. The Derbent Cognac Factory operates here, which is why the area is called that. This part of the city is considered a residential area. The Derbent nobility loves to live here. In the evening, life in the “cognac district” practically comes to a standstill. There are many private and apartment buildings in this area. Housing prices are the same as in the center.

City infrastructure

The problems of the housing and communal services complex in Derbent are the same as throughout Russia. The housing and communal services sector in the city is experiencing the same difficulties with a shortage of finances and a weak material and technical base. As already noted in the story about ecological situation in Derbent, sanitary and hygienic conditions and the purity of water in the city are at a terribly low level. But let's start in order.

Water pipes

Water is today the main problem in the city. Water is supplied according to an hourly schedule. For example, in the quarry area, water is supplied from 6.30 to 8 am, during the day - from 11.30 to 12.30 and in the evening - from 18.00 to 20.00. Derbent residents were forced to somehow solve this problem, and therefore every second apartment owner has a tank in the basement (or attic) for storing water and a pump that pumps water into the apartment. Naturally, residents buy all this at their own expense.

The city administration recently began trying to somehow resolve the issue of continuous water supply. A project for the construction of a new water pipeline was even conceived. But something went wrong with them, and the people of Derbent lived and still live, using water “by the hour.” For water the Derbent resident is the owner two-room apartment, in which 1 person is registered, pays 93 rubles. per month.

Sewerage

Derbent's sewer networks are badly worn out, and in the Magal area there is no normal drainage system at all. The canals through which water is discharged there are thousands of years old. This was the main reason for the emergency that occurred in August 2010 in Derbent. At that time, the houses of residents of the streets near the station (which are located in lowlands) were full of water that had descended from the mahals after several days of incessant downpours.

The sewage treatment plants located at sea have not been working at all for several years. One way or another, for sewerage, a Derbent resident - the owner of a two-room apartment in which 1 person is registered - pays 20 rubles. per month.

Major renovation of premises

In Derbent, work to improve the condition of buildings is carried out very rarely, apparently at the personal request of housing department employees, who have a special love for individual houses, and do not recognize other buildings at all. It is impossible to explain otherwise the almost complete lack of work on major repairs of premises.

Meanwhile, for major repairs, every Derbent resident - the owner of a two-room apartment in which 1 person is registered - pays 128 rubles. per month.

With this type of housing and communal services, the story is the same as with major repairs. The entrances are swept, washed and painted by the residents themselves. The residents themselves also change the lamps in the entrances. In general, all maintenance work on the entrances of residential buildings is carried out by the residents themselves.

It’s good that at least the residents don’t have to monitor the condition of their yards. At least housing and communal services employees do this work. True, when residents contact us about accidents in the water supply system, etc. Housing and communal services respond without delay. For the maintenance and repair of housing, a Derbent resident who owns a “kopeck piece”, in which 1 person is registered, pays 363 rubles. per month.

Heat supply

The central heating of city apartments is quite weak at sub-zero temperatures. The radiators are hot only in those houses that are located next to boiler rooms (and there are only 10 of them in the city). For this service, the owner of a two-room apartment with 1 person registered in it pays 475 rubles. per month.

Garbage collection and disposal

To evaluate the work of housing and communal services on this point, it is enough to visit Derbent once. On almost all streets, garbage is not collected on time. Therefore, Derbent remains the most dirty city Dagestan.

Electricity supply

The Derbent City Electricity Networks enterprise is responsible for supplying Derbent with electricity. The lights in the houses of Derbent residents, especially in winter, are turned off often - about once a week. But to be honest, you shouldn’t blame the power grid alone. Since debts for electricity in Derbent (as throughout Dagestan) exceed all permissible standards.

Roads and transport

The condition of the roads in Derbent causes nothing but indignation. Further evidence of this is the inscriptions on the city walls left by desperate residents.

“Roads are a disgrace.” District Central District Hospital

The roads in the area of ​​the city center and the avenue are in satisfactory condition. In all other areas (and worst of all, in the area of ​​the quarry and the central district hospital), there is practically no asphalt. Traffic jams in Derbent occur only in the area of ​​​​the avenue and market No. 3 due to very narrow roads.

Transport in Derbent is increasing every year. The only public services here are “gazelles” that serve as minibuses, and very few buses. There are a total of 12 routes in the city. But how do they transport people? Sometimes there is literally no room for passengers to stand, and the minibus keeps stopping (to take one more passenger “on board”) and stopping.

Enterprises and work in Derbent

Derbent is considered the second city in terms of production volume in Dagestan. The main industrial enterprises in the city are winemaking, processing and food industries.

One of the main “attractions” of Derbent is the cognacs produced by the Derbent Cognac Factory. Derbent cognac is known for its quality not only in Dagestan and Russia, but throughout the world. It’s not for nothing that an entire district in Derbent is named after the presence of a plant in it. The enterprise was known before 1917 as a plant, and then (in 1960) it became a combine. Despite such a considerable age, this enterprise is in excellent condition and has withstood all the storms and restructuring in the country.

Another large industrial enterprise in the city is the Derbent Sparkling Wine Factory. Its products are also highly valued in Dagestan and beyond. The company uses the most modern technologies. The plant is the only one in Russia producing champagne in souvenir and even crystal bottles. In addition, the plant management often sponsors sporting events in the city.

The next enterprise that makes a significant contribution to the development of the economy of Dagestan is the Elektrosignal plant. The company specializes in the production and repair of sophisticated equipment, is engaged in charity work and generally actively participates in the life of the republic. But the plant’s development is hampered by the lack of government orders for its products.

The Derbent Construction Plant also participates in the development of the region’s economy by assembling panel houses. The enterprise is in good condition and has already built an entire microdistrict in the city.

And another enterprise important for the city’s economy, also in excellent condition, is the Volna Research Institute. The research institute is engaged in the development and production of aviation intercom devices for aircraft civil aviation. It also produces infotainment systems for different types aircraft cabins and modern digital equipment.

These are, perhaps, all the city-forming enterprises of Derbent. Before the collapse of the USSR, there were many plants and factories here, which, although now considered operational, have long been producing meager volumes of products.

There are no office centers in the city; there are small office premises with a maximum of 2 floors. But in Derbent, especially in Lately, many large and modern shopping centers are appearing. For example, in the Prospekt area, the Derbent shopping center has been operating for 5 years - a beautiful three-story building with clothing boutiques and a cafe on the second floor.

The Panorama shopping center is about to open, which will sell wine and vodka products. Large food centers - "Central", "Orpheus", "Karavan" - have been operating in the city for several years.

There are 3 large markets in Derbent. One of them is located in the upper part of the city (before reaching the mahals) - “Market No. 1”. Locals call it the “upper bazaar”. Moreover, trade is carried out here not only inside the market, but also around it on the adjacent streets. These are the “famous” Derbent bazaars.

The second market, the Edelweiss clothing market, is located closer to the city center. It was recently founded on the site of the Arzu market that burned down several years ago. This market is young, so they trade here in neat pavilions, with wide aisles between them (unlike other Derbent markets, where 2 people cannot fit in the aisle).

The third market - "Northern" - is located in the Prospect area, near the "Northern Bus Station". Here, too, they mainly sell clothes and generally everything necessary for the home, and because of low prices, many people flock here from all over Southern Dagestan.

In general, there are many different private enterprises in the city, there are also government agencies. It would seem that there should be a lot of vacancies. But finding a job here is not easy even for young people, not to mention those over 45. Most young people, after graduating from schools or universities, remain out of work, and they have to go “to Russia” (as they say here) to earn money. In Derbent, without “connections”, rarely does anyone manage to find a job.

In local advertisements in the “Vacancies” section there are only offers for waiters (who must work from morning to night) and presenters on local channels (with a salary not exceeding 5,000 rubles). Working 10 hours a day for a private entrepreneur, the average Derbent resident earns 7-8 thousand rubles. And getting a government job in the city is considered a great success.

Crime

Over the past 5-6 years, Derbent has increasingly appeared in crime reports. This is due to the penetration of an extremist movement in Islam – Wahhabism – into Dagestan. People calling themselves true Muslims are blowing up police departments, police cars and, in general, all unwanted people associated with the authorities in the region. Many Derbent children 15 years and older take this path, falling under the influence of terrorists. And only a few manage to return alive.

Before this “mess” with terrorists started, Derbent was considered the calmest city in Dagestan. There were practically no high-profile crimes here; people lived peacefully and quietly. If someone killed someone (mostly in a drunken fight), then the whole city talked about it for a long time after the murder.

Today in Derbent the situation is completely different. Residents are already accustomed to the explosions (if you can get used to such a thing) that sometimes happen here. The most notorious criminal events occurred in the city in the last 5 years.

So, on May 7, 2010, an explosive device went off at the Derbent station. Several people were injured, 1 was killed, many were wounded. The bomb went off at the moment when passengers were boarding the train, and many people crowded on the platform where the device was planted.

On August 26, 2011, unknown persons fired at the FSB building. After committing the crime, the attackers tried to escape in the 99, but the police managed to get on their trail.

On January 17, 2012, a police car was blown up in Derbent. The police officer who was driving received multiple injuries.

These are the kinds of messages the Derbent news has been full of lately.

Sights of Derbent

Despite the many problems here, Derbent residents love their city and are proud of it. And there really is something to be proud of in Derbent. Take, for example, the main attraction of the city, thanks to which part of Derbent was included in the heritage of UNESCO world values ​​in 2003 - this is the Naryn-Kala fortress. From the grandiose defensive complex that the fortress served, only a few fragments have survived today. But the most important thing is that the citadel has been preserved.

The fortress offers a wonderful view of the city. And inside the citadel there are ancient buildings that have survived to this day, which are now cultural treasures: the Khan’s palace, the guardhouse, the dilapidated Khan’s baths, an ancient Christian temple and many other beautiful buildings with more than a thousand years of history.

To reach the citadel, you need to climb 211 ancient steps. Having overcome them, you find yourself in an indescribable world. To feel it, you have to be here.

Another one of the many architectural monuments Derbent - Juma Mosque, built at the end of the 7th century. The Juma Mosque is the very first mosque to appear in Russia and one of the 5 most ancient mosques in the world. There is a point of view that this mosque was rebuilt from an ancient Christian temple. The dome of the Juma Mosque, located in the area of ​​mahals with their one-story buildings, stands out against the background of houses (17 m from the ground) and is clearly visible from the fortress.

The Kirkhlyar cemetery is also one of the most revered Muslim shrines in Dagestan. Here are 40 graves of the first Arab martyrs (Muslim warriors who died in the battle for their faith at the end of the 7th century). The cemetery is located in the upper part of the city and is surrounded by a stone wall. Believers come here to ask for the fulfillment of their cherished desires. Married couples who have not had children for a long time make a pilgrimage here to pray and rock the stone cradle that stands here. It is believed that if they succeed in rocking it, it means that the couple will have a child.

In addition to the listed ancient monuments, Derbent also has a lot of interesting things for lovers of antiquity. Well, if, tired of admiring the antiquities, you want to eat and have a good rest, then the city has many modern restaurants and entertainment centers for this. The most popular of them are “Khayal”, “Moryana” and “Derbent”. At the Khayal entertainment center, located near the Edelweiss market, you can eat and play bowling, shoot at a shooting range or go ice skating. The banquet halls “Moryana” (in the area of ​​the Central District Hospital) and “Derbent” (in the area of ​​the quarry) will deliciously feed every visitor and delight him with good music.

The favorite place of many Derbent residents is also the Lezginsky Theater, located almost in the city center. Local pop stars often perform here and interesting plays are staged in Lezgin and Russian.