Nizhniy Lars

• The first Orthodox church in Nizhniy Lars was dedicated to St. Nicholas and built in 1839.
• The church was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1895.
• Only sections of the original St. Nicholas Church’s deeply cracked walls remain.
• The Darial “Iron Gates” begin at Nizhniy Lars.
• Nizhniy Lars is considered a historic military outpost.

The Orthodox church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. It was the settlement’s first Orthodox church and was built in 1839; in 1895, it was rebuilt and reconsecrated. Two distinct phases are therefore important to its history: construction was followed by rebuilding and reconsecration. Only the original St. Nicholas Church’s deeply cracked walls remain in places.

Nizhniy Lars is also considered a historic military outpost. Thus, the religious history of its buildings and its historical characterization as a military outpost are two distinct aspects of the settlement.

The Darial “Iron Gates” begin at Nizhniy Lars. This is a specific geographical feature of the settlement, alongside its church history and its historical characterization as a military outpost.

Across the wider destination of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, nature destinations differ in their route profiles. The trail to the Shalagom viewpoint starts in the village of Kharisdzhin and passes through the Khilak Gorge to the Shalagom tract. The largest local population of endemic East Caucasian tur is found on the gorge’s left slope, within the North Ossetian Nature Reserve; it may also be the largest in all of North Ossetia. From the viewpoint, the animals can be observed in their natural habitat in the subalpine and alpine zones of the Bokovoy Range. Sightings are not guaranteed.

The trail to Shagatsikomdon Waterfall follows the left terrace of the Tseydon River through a pine forest with Oriental beech, Trautvetter’s maple and grey alder, growing on brown mountain-forest podzolic soils. It climbs steeply over an outcrop of grey granite, then descends to the riverbank and the waterfall’s lower cascade. In contrast, the Shalagom trail passes through a gorge to a viewpoint, while the description of the Shagatsikomdon trail highlights the forest, granite and route to the cascade.

Another example in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania is Galdoridon: the waterfall has five tiers, is more than 30 m high, and is a natural attraction in Alania National Park. Its circular trail starts on the left terrace of the Khareseidon River and follows the beginning of the Khares Gorge to the waterfall; the route runs at an elevation of 1,800 to 2,200 m. Seasonal conditions may vary.

Discover more destinations: Kussu, Vladikavkaz, Mozdok and Khidikus.

When was the Orthodox church built and rebuilt?

It was built in 1839, then rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1895.

What remains of the original St. Nicholas Church?

Only the walls remain; some sections have deep cracks.

Where do the Darial Iron Gates begin?

The Darial “Iron Gates” begin at Nizhniy Lars.

Go to the wider travel overview: Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.