Going to North Ossetia, few tourists will want to visit one of the famous cities of this republic. The city lies on the banks of the beautiful Terek, rising above sea level by 484 m. Many only in the news reports saw Beslan. Where this city is located , not everyone understands.
Milestones in History
The history of this city begins in 1847, when families of rich Ossetians founded a village here from different regions of Ossetia, which was named Beslananykau in honor of Beslan Tulatov. This Ossetian was one of the three sons of Syrkhau, a wealthy and respected Aldar. His father was entrusted with responsible affairs and assignments. So this time, Beslan was entrusted with the organization of the resettlement of the inhabitants of his aul to the lowlands located 16 km from Vladikavkaz. Official sources featured the name of the village as the Tulatov aul.
In the same period, a major founder of a tobacco factory allocated funds for laying an iron sheet from the aul to Baku itself. The first composition departed from the platform in 1875.
The city of Beslan (Ossetia), before it got its current name, bore the names of the first Tulatovs, then the Alikovs, later it was Iriston. Historians who studied the cities of the Republic of Ossetia noted that in the pre-revolutionary Beslan there were only 9 good-quality brick houses, wealthy families lived in them. The rest of the people huddled in houses made of adobe or wood. Electricity was replaced by kerosene lamps and lanterns. Trains rarely stopped in the aul, because during this period Tulatovo was just a small stop.
Industry development
During widespread industrialization, the higher authorities decided to build a large plant in Beslan. And in August 1932 the Beslan maize plant was launched. Its construction has become a determining factor in the development of the economy of the entire region. So Beslan began to gain its fame, where the largest European enterprise in the food industry is located.
Over time, the city stood on a par with the major economic and cultural centers of North Ossetia. New enterprises were opened there, factories were built, network shopping centers appeared. Now there are manufacturers of alcohol and soft drinks, automotive equipment, reinforced concrete structures used in the construction of bridges. The city of Beslan is developing rapidly, its enterprises are reaching the competitive level of the country's industry.
Black september
But not everything is cloudless in the sky above 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 recalls with a shudder that terrible day, September 1, 2004, when schoolchildren, together with their parents and teachers, were taken hostage by school terrorists. In total more than 1000 people. All of them were kept in the school gym. Negotiations with criminals were conducted until September 3. The population of the whole world with bated breath followed these events.
Death of little people
After the storming of the security forces, who saved the students from the fire, hundreds of wounded and crippled people forever 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 were children.
Residents from all over the world received medical and material assistance. The victims were taken out for treatment, special enterprises were organized to rehabilitate the victims of the attack. At this time, a beautiful Beslan became a real horror film, where it was not fiction. Fire, screams, tears and pain - these are what eyewitnesses of those events remember.
Monument to the Founder
Sights of the city will not leave indifferent any visitor.
As we already know from historical references, Beslan Tulatov is considered the founder of the city bearing his name. The great resettlement of the villages under the leadership of one of the richest Aldar of North Ossetia, assignments from high ranks, worship and fear of others - all this left its mark on the character of Beslan Tulatov. By the time of its heyday, the fame of his steep disposition reached the most remote corners. It is in this that historians see the reason that the village where the Tulatov family lived, grew very slowly. The peasants were frightened by the dark personality of Beslan. Having lived all his life illiterate, he did not leave any heirs. All powers were taken by his wife, who sacredly honored the laws of her husband. As the founder of the city, it was decided to erect a monument to the man with whose name the history of the glorious city of Beslan began. Where this monument is located, every local knows.
Where the first of September turned into mourning
The school in which children, their parents and teachers died in 2004 during the terrorist attack, has now turned into a memorial complex. The Orthodox cross in the center of the gym, where hostages were held, and photographs of the victims around the perimeter. Over the building, it was decided to build a dome in the form of an ellipse, which would symbolize a wreath of memory, and preserve the building in the form that it currently has. You can come here around the clock to commemorate the victims of the attack and light a candle or bring water, as many do. It was from thirst that the hostages suffered the most in those September days of 2004. Beslan will never forget these events. The location of the old school is st. Comintern, 99.
Where angels live
"City of Angels" - this name was given to the memorial cemetery, on which 266 children and adults who died after the terrorist attack lie. The graves of red marble are visible far from the entrance to the cemetery. On each of them is an angel figurine in white clothes. Everyone has the same date of death - September 3, 2004. The cemetery keeper took this position on the day he buried his 15-year-old daughter here, his middle daughter, son and wife miraculously survived after the hostages were shot. There is no sound at the cemetery, only crying and moans of relatives break the silence. Angels are resting here. The great Beslan is endlessly mourning for all. "Where is this cemetery?" - Ask many who want to pay tribute to the dead. If you go along the Airport Highway, then do not pass the memorial cemetery.
On the territory of the memorial cemetery rises a 9-meter monument - a tree, the trunk of which is made up of 4 female figures symbolizing mothers who, with outstretched arms, hold their dead children who have become angels. This monument is dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attack, children who were unable to escape from school after the solemn ruler of 2004.
Other sights of the city
Monument to the defenders. In the same "City of Angels", a monument was erected to the soldiers of the Alpha special forces, who liberated the hostages from the captured school. The cemetery keeper was going to invest his money in this project, but a change of power took place 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 lasted from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, the temple was consecrated and opened. Its location was chosen based on the convenient location of transport communications. Financial support for the construction of the temple was provided by senior officials. At the moment, the main shrine of the church is the icon of the Great Martyr Barbara, the church in whose name is located next to the church of St. George the Victorious.
The beautiful and courageous city of Beslan. Now everyone knows where he is. Despite the difficult history of education and tragic events, the city continues to live, opening new horizons. This area captivates with its splendor and friendliness.
Be sure to visit Beslan. The location of the city is Russia, Republic of North Ossetia.