Derbent Citadel
An ancient fortress and walled town on the Caspian shore, among the oldest continuously inhabited places in Russia.
About
Derbent stands at a narrow strip between the Caucasus mountains and the Caspian Sea, which made it a gateway in the region for centuries. The Naryn-Kala citadel sits on a hill above the old town, and two long walls run from it down to the water.
Within the old quarter you will find one of the oldest mosques in Russia, bathhouses, a covered market and winding lanes. Climb the citadel walls for a view over rooftops and sea.
Check the current travel advice for Dagestan before planning a visit.
History
The defences date mostly to the Sasanian period of Persia in the sixth century, and later powers rebuilt and extended them. The fortress was listed by UNESCO in 2003. Arab forces took the city in the seventh century, and the Juma Mosque, begun in the early eighth century, is among the oldest in Russia. Derbent became part of the Russian Empire in the early nineteenth century. Its long walls once ran from the citadel down to the sea, closing the narrow pass between the mountains and the water.
UNESCO World Heritage: Inscribed 2003.