Beslan: where is it?

Going to North Ossetia, few tourists will not want to visit one of the famous cities of this republic. The city lies on the shore of the beautiful Terek, towering above the sea level at 484 m. Many only in news reports Beslan. Where is this city, do not understand everything.

Milestones of history

The history of this city begins in 1847, when from the different regions of Ossetia the families of rich Ossetians founded a village here, which was named Beslanikau in honor of Beslan Tulatov. This Ossetian was one of the three sons of Sirhau, a rich and respected Aldar. His father was entrusted with responsible affairs and assignments. So this time, Beslan was entrusted with the organization of resettlement of the inhabitants of his village to plains lands located 16 km from Vladikavkaz. In official sources the name of the village appeared as the village of Tulatov.

In the same period, a large founder of the tobacco factory allocated funds for laying an iron canvas from the village to Baku itself. The first train departed from the platform in 1875.

The city of Beslan (Ossetia), before it got its present name, bore the names first of the Tulatovs, then the Alikovs, later it was Iriston. Historians who studied the cities of the Republic of Ossetia noted that in pre-revolutionary Beslan there were only 9 solid houses made of bricks, wealthy families lived in them. The rest of the people were huddled in houses made of adobe or wood. Electricity was replaced by kerosene lamps and lanterns. In the aul, trains rarely stopped, because during this period Tulatovo was only a small half-station.

Development of industry

During the widespread industrialization by the highest authorities, it was decided to build a large plant in Beslan. And in August 1932 the Beslan maize combine was launched. Its construction has become a determining factor in the development of the economy of the entire region. So Beslan, where the largest enterprise of Europe in the food industry is located, became famous.

Over time, the city has become one with the major economic and cultural centers of North Ossetia. New enterprises were opened there, factories were built, networked shopping centers appeared. Now there are enterprises producing alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, automobile equipment, reinforced concrete structures used in the construction of bridges. The city of Beslan is developing at a rapid pace, its enterprises are entering the competitive level of the country's industry.

Black September

But not everything is cloudless in the sky over the city. Clouds were gathering over these peaceful streets, full of beautiful nature and hospitable people. The tragic events of 2004 laid a black shadow on the entire city of Beslan (North Ossetia). One of the terrible cases of cruelty and inhumanity.

Everyone still shudderingly remember that terrible day, on September 1, 2004, when at school # 1 terrorists were taken hostage by schoolchildren along with their parents and teachers. A total of more than 1000 people. All of them were kept in the school gymnasium. Negotiations with criminals were conducted until September 3. The population of the whole world watched these events with a sinking heart.

The death of little people

After the storming of the siloviki, who saved the students from the fire, hundreds of wounded and injured people permanently captured this day in their memory. The whole world mourned with the inhabitants of Beslan. In that terrible tragedy, 334 people died, 186 of them children.

From all over the world people received help, medical and material. The victims were taken out for treatment, special enterprises were organized to rehabilitate the victims of the terrorist act. A real horror film was at this time a beautiful Beslan, where it was not an invention. Fire, shouts, tears and pain - that's what the witnesses of those events remember.

Monument to the founder

The sights of the city will not leave any visitor indifferent.

As we already know from historical references, Beslan Tulatov is considered the founder of the city bearing his name. The great migration of auls under the direction of one of the richest Aldars of North Ossetia, assignments from high ranks, worship and fear of others - all this left its imprint on the character of Beslan Tulatov. By the time of his heyday, the fame of his steep temper had reached the most remote corners. It is in this historians see the reason that the village where the family lived Tulatov, grew very slowly. The peasants were frightened by the dark personality of Beslan. After living his whole life illiterate, he did not leave behind his heirs. All his powers were accepted by his wife, who sacredly honored her husband's laws. As the founder of the city, it was decided to erect a monument to a man from whose name the history of the glorious city of Beslan began. Where this monument is located, every local resident knows.

Where the first of September turned into mourning

The school, in which the children, their parents and teachers were killed in 2004 during the terrorist act, has now turned into a memorial complex. The Orthodox cross in the center of the gym, where hostages were held, and photographs of the dead along the perimeter. Above the building it was decided to build a dome in the form of an ellipse, which would symbolize a memory wreath, and preserve the building in the form it currently has. You can come here around the clock to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack and light a candle or bring water, as many do. It was from thirst that the hostages suffered most in those September days of 2004. These events will never forget Beslan. Location of the old school - st. Comintern, 99.

Where angels live

"City of Angels" is the name given to the memorial cemetery, on which 266 children and adults who died after the terrorist act are buried. The graves of red marble are far from the entrance to the cemetery. On each of them there is an angel figure in white clothes. At all, the date of death is the same - September 3, 2004. The cemetery supervisor took this position the day he buried his 15-year-old daughter, his middle daughter, son and wife miraculously survived after the hostages were shot. There is not a sound in the cemetery, only the weeping and moaning of their relatives break the silence. Here lie the angels. Infinitely mourns for all the great Beslan. "Where is this cemetery?" - Many will ask, who wants to pay tribute to the deceased. If you go along the Airport Highway, then the memorial cemetery can not be crossed.

On the territory of the memorial cemetery stands a 9-meter monument - a tree, the trunk of which consists of four female figures, symbolizing mothers who, in their outstretched hands, keep their lost children, who became angels. This monument is dedicated to the victims of the terrorist act, to children who did not manage to escape from school after the solemn line of 2004.

Other sights of the city

Monument to the defenders. In the same "City of Angels" they also erected a monument to the soldiers of the special unit "Alpha", who released the hostages from the seized school. The cemetery supervisor was going to invest his money in this project, but there was a change of power, and the money was allocated. The city of Beslan honors everyone who helped to survive this tragedy.

Be sure to visit the only Orthodox church of St. George the Victorious. Its construction continued from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, the temple was consecrated and opened. Its location was chosen based on the convenience of the location of transport communications. Financial support for the construction of the temple was provided by high-ranking officials. At the moment, the main shrine of the church is the icon of the Great Martyr Varvara, a church in the name of which is next to the church of St. George the Victorious.

A beautiful and courageous city Beslan. Where he is, now everyone knows. Despite the difficult history of education and tragic events, the city continues to live, opening new horizons. This area fascinates with its magnificence and friendliness.

Be sure to visit Beslan. The city's location is Russia, Republic of North Ossetia.