Fiagdon is a quiet idyll in North Ossetia. Despite its relative proximity to large cities, the village has preserved a quiet and measured way of life - there are few roads, no noisy industries and very few residents (about a thousand people).
Cozy corner of Fiagdon
The name “Fiagdon” refers to the quiet mountain village, the river passing nearby, the gorge and the valley - in a word, the locals mean the whole area, not just the settlement. Going to Fiagdon, one should take into account a certain confusion. There are two settlements here - one is located to the north and is called simply “Fiagdon”, the second is located to the south (opposite to the Tseisky Reserve) - it is Upper Fiagdon. And it is the second settlement that is popular among tourists. It is located on the right bank of the river on some elevation, hence the “Upper” in the name. Simply “Fiagdon” is an ordinary Soviet settlement, located not surrounded by green hills, but next to similar unremarkable settlements. Further in the article we will talk about Upper Fiagdon, just for the sake of brevity we will omit the first word in the name.
Perhaps the best feature of Fiagdon is its proximity to Vladikavkaz. Don't want to spend several hours to get there and back? From the center of Vladikavkaz to Upper Fiagdon can be reached in less than an hour - they are separated by only 52 kilometers! So this village is perfect for short trips, for which you don't even have to allocate a whole day.
History and sights of Fiagdon
In the vicinity of the village, time seems to be frozen in the idyllic past, but in fact it is very young - it was founded only in 1963. Many buildings here have been preserved from that time, so you can immerse yourself in the Soviet atmosphere while strolling along the local streets.
Fiagdon itself is not very remarkable - an ordinary Soviet settlement, which was very lucky to have a picturesque location. However, in the vicinity you can find a lot of interesting sights, and related to both the USSR and earlier periods of history.
So, a couple of kilometers south of Fiagdon is the village of Khidikos, which is notable for the Alanian Dormition Monastery. It is not only stunningly beautiful (be sure to free more memory for photos!), but is also considered the highest monastery in Russia. The Alan Monastery enjoys great prestige in Orthodox culture, despite its young age (it was founded in 2000). However, the attentive reader will notice that the building of the monastery is clearly old. How did it come to be so?
In fact, the history of the building dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Gusov family settlement was located here. This family, by the way, is worthy of a separate story; here we will only mention that they were considered to be descendants of the legendary hero Dadyg. In XVII-XVIII centuries watchtowers were added to the building, which now also belong to the monastery complex. From 1848 to 1928 the Church of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Wives was located here, and next to it stood the parish house of the priest. Then the Soviet authorities covered up religious activities, and the building was empty for some time, until in 1997-1999 Ossetians began to gather, who later formed the basis of the monastic brotherhood. Now this monastery is the second spiritual center of Alania, which is not inferior in importance to the famous Alanian women's monastery. From the monastery you can take away not only beautiful photos: the monks sell herbal collections, Ossetian cheese (very tasty!), local honey and various souvenirs on Christian or national themes.
In general, many ancient and picturesque stone buildings can be found in the Fiagdon district. The family combat towers in the village of Barzikau are worth just one kilometer north of Upper Fiagdon. These towers belong to a small complex, which also includes a chapel and a round sanctuary Kastarta-dzuar. The majestic buildings are located on a hill, which, according to legend, was built by the locals - each brought a handful of earth.
If you like such buildings, you should visit the church of St. George the Victorious - it is located in the village Dzivgis. It is 5 kilometers away from Fiagdon to the north.
In the Kurtatinsky gorge, which can be reached by car from Fiagdon in 15-20 minutes, there is a remarkable monument to Lenin. It is a rather modest vertical memorial about three meters high, on which the surname of the leader is inscribed in slightly crooked letters. What makes it so unique? And the fact that it was installed on the day of Lenin's death - January 21, 1921. It is supposed to be the first monument to Vladimir Ilyich in the world, because it was installed a day earlier than the more famous memorial in Noginsk. The monument stands not far from the road, but it is easy to miss, especially in the fall and winter, when there is no greenery around - it blends in with its surroundings. Orient yourself at the exit to Dargavs.
Explore the surroundings of Fiagdon
Fiagdon is a place where you want to escape from the bustle of the city, gray skies, and gassy air. Despite the fact that the village itself does not boast unique architecture or any traditional elements, its surroundings are idyllic and contemplative. Magnificent hills, from which you can watch the glitter of the river winding below; high blue sky and low white clouds crowning the mountain peaks; finally, the ancient stone architecture that can instantly win your heart - all this makes the surroundings of Fiagdon attractive to travelers. There are major attractions that attract hundreds of tourists (like the Alan Monastery or the Church of St. George the Victorious), but much more important is the feeling of peace that this place can give.
Like other mountain villages, Fiagdon is not spoiled with quality roads. So it is better to explore the surroundings with a reliable off-road vehicle (preferably not your own, so that you don't have to spend money on repairs later). The situation here is better than in Dargavs, but still a city sedan is not very well adapted for these roads. It is better to choose either really powerful all-terrain vehicles (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Range Rover Sport), or, if comfort during the trip is also important for you, comfortable crossovers like Renault Sandero.
Fiagdon is ideal as a destination for an evening drive. If you have a couple of hours to spare, just rent a car and hit the road. Along the way, you will see a lot of scenery that will take your breath away.
How to get to Fiagdon
The easiest way to reach Fiagdon is by car. Leave Vladivostok to the west (highway R297, past the gas station “Roma”). Pass Gizel village (near it you will see the monument to Pyotr Barbashov - a big memorial, you can see it right from the road). If you want to buy groceries, it is better to do it in Gizel - you will just pass “Perekrestok”. Further from the stores there will be only small stalls with inflated prices. Continue until you reach Dzuarikau and then turn south. You will drive along the Fiagdon River, and on your right you will see the Tseisky Reserve. Already approaching Fiagdon, you will see signs to the “Trail of Wonders” viewing platform - if you have an extra couple of hours and desire, you can walk along the popular tourist spots. This hiking route covers the points with the most picturesque scenery, so it's best to go here with a good camera. Drive a little farther after the “Path of Wonders” signs and you'll find yourself in Upper Fiagdon! And if you continue and drive along the same road for a couple more minutes without changing direction, you can reach the Alanian monastery in Khidikus.
From Vladikavkaz you can also get to Fiagdon by public transportation. However, the way may take you a few days - the 270 route, which should take you to the village, does not run every day. It is even more difficult to get out of Fiagdon - a cab to the city will cost you two thousand rubles (minimum). So the safest and most profitable option is to rent a car.
Interesting facts
Driving out of the village in the northern direction, you can see a monument in the form of a horse on the left - this is a memorial to the soldiers of Kurtatin. It is dedicated to the soldiers who died in 1941-1945. The sculptor was Ossetian Daurbek Tsorayev. The horse has lowered its head to the ground - this is not just a dramatic pose, but a symbol of grief for the departed sons.
Fiagdon is popular not only for its beautiful views, but also for its medicine. The Republican Pulmonology Center is located here. People with complicated lung diseases come here from all over the country to get consultation from top-class specialists. So, if you have health problems, you can combine a pleasant trip with a useful visit to the doctor!
Many tourists are sure that there is no point in traveling to Fiagdon (and in general to North Ossetia) in winter. We will try to prove the opposite - in Fiagdon there is a modern art hotel, where ski tracks of different complexity are equipped. You don't need to bring sports equipment with you, but rent it right on the spot. In summer these paths are not idle either - you can ride bicycles on them, breathing in the fresh mountain air. By the way, the hotel also has bicycles.
There is a special microclimate in the gorge where Fiagdon is located, so there is an amazing amount of moss here - the whole ground is covered with it! Try walking into the wooded area and you will be surprised not only by the soft mossy bedding, but also by the number of mushrooms and berries!
Question-Answer
What is the difference between Fiagdon and Upper Fiagdon?
On the map you can find two villages located to the west of Vladikavkaz - Fiagdon and Verkhny Fiagdon. The first one is located to the north; it is not so picturesque and not remarkable. The second one is located to the south, opposite the Tseisky Reserve. There you can have a good time surrounded by green mountains, fresh air and ancient stone buildings. But in practice, Upper Fiagdon is often called simply “Fiagdon”. If you ask for directions from the locals, it is better to specify exactly which settlement you need to go to.
How to get from Fiagdon to the watchtowers?
There are many old stone watchtowers in the area, but the closest to Fiagdon are the Gabisov and Tsagaraev towers. You can walk to them (about two kilometers from the center of the village). Cross the river and head northwest, in the direction of Tsmiti. Then follow the signs in the same direction.
Is it possible to stay overnight in Fiagdon?
Yes, there are several cozy hotels here. Especially popular in Fiagdona are “Roza Vetrov” and “Heart of the Mountains”. The second hotel is located farther from the center of the village. And for lovers of outdoor recreation there is a guest house “Off-road” - to get to it, you need to drive past the recreation center in the north of the settlement and go on an unnamed road to the east. As the name of the guest house clearly hints, it is better to get to it by SUV - a simple city car will not withstand such a trip. So rent a good SUV in advance; a Suzuki Jimny will be perfect for this task.
What is the “Trail of Wonders”?
It is a hiking trail that starts at Kadargawan Canyon. If you move along the road from Upper Fiagdon to the north, you can find it by signs. The cost is purely symbolic - 50 rubles per person. This money goes to the maintenance of animals, which you can look at in the local zoo.
What sights to see in Fiagdon?
Plan-minimum - the Alanian male monastery, the zoo on the “Path of Miracles”, the Church of St. George the Victorious. If you are traveling for a full day, you can also get to Dargavs and see the famous City of the Dead.
Conclusion
A trip to Fiagdon may be very short, but it is guaranteed to be good for your emotional balance. Silence, low (for a mountainous area) wind, stunningly beautiful nature - all this will be a real balm for your soul.
You should not go on this trip with your personal car - you will be ruined for suspension repair. It is better to rent some powerful off-road vehicle upon arrival to the Caucasus - models like Renault Sandero or Toyota RAV4 will be much more suitable for this trip than a city sedan. Come to Vladikavkaz by train, arrive by plane - and then rent a car from us for further exciting journey!
