Derbent, located on the Caspian Sea coast of Dagestan, is the oldest city in the region, dating back over 5,000 years. It sits in a narrow seaside valley between the mountains and the sea, forming a strategic location. Throughout its long history, Derbent served as an important fortress, protecting eastern countries from invaders traveling along the only road between Southeast Europe and the Near East. A citadel called Narynkala was built in the 6th century AD atop a hill near the mountains and walls, with defenses extending into the sea and mountains to block nomadic tribes. Today, Derbent remains an economic and cultural center of Southern Dagestan, known for its vit

1. DERBENT – the Southern Gate to Dagestan Ancient City More than 5000 Years Old.

2. Coat of Arms of Derbent

3. Panorama of the City

6. The name of the city goes back to the VI century and has the Persian Origin which means “The knot of the gates”. According to the Greek historians it was known in Europe in antique period as Caspian or Albanian Gates.

9. The North and South walls went deep into the sea and high into the mountains. The distance between the walls was 450 meters. So in this way they had managed to make a reliable obstacle on the nomads’ way. The fortress got the name Narynkala.

10. It has been rehabilitated recently and there are usually a lot of tourists there.

12. The Plan of the Fortress

13. The Main Entrance to the Fortress

14. The Gate to the Fortress

15. The Western Gate. Ancient Masonry.

16. The Western Wall and the Gate

17. The Western Wall

18. The Eastern Wall

19. The Eastern Wall and the Eastern Tower

20. The Eastern Tower

21. The Ruins of the Khan’s Palace

25. The Khan’s Office

27. The Water Spring

28. Khan’s Water Reservoir

29. Extra Water Reservoir

30. The Inner Yard of the Fortress

32. The Guardroom

33. Ancient Grave Inscriptions

34. Ancient Anchors

35. The Stone Anchors

36. The Stony Millstone

37. Khan’s Dungeon

38. The Ruins of the Persian Baths

39. The Steps (X century) and the Loophole.

40. A Restaurant Near the Fortress

42. The Gate to the City

43. The Central Street

44. The Square

45. Lenin Square

46. Monument to the Victims of World War II

47. Armenian Temple

49. The Building of the Railway Station

50. The Old City Wall

51. The Yard of the Dzhuma Mosque

53. Entrance to the Mosque

55. The Century Old Paine Trees in the Yard of the Mosque.

56. The Old City

57. The Old Mosque

58. Kirkhlyar Cemetery. VIII Century.

59. The Local Carpet Market

60. The Caspian Sea

61. The City Beach