(Source: http://aywvgb.skyphotos.ru)

The town of Alagir which has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of shops is standing on the place of exit of the Ardon River from the Alagirskoe Gorge. There is even an H&M store in that place.

A workers’ quarter was here once. Alagirsky Silver-Lead Plant was solemnly opened here in the presence of the count Vorontsov, Viceroy of the Caucasus, in 1853. The workers’ quarter of Alagir at the plant grew, merged with the neighboring  mountain village (aul) of Salugardan.

The plant was closed in 1897, and the village remained. It received the status of a town, Ossetian bakeries appeared here, shops and brick castles behind blind fences were built.

The residents of Alagir never swim in Ardon, for its name is translated as “Mad River”. Swimming is strictly forbidden here, because waves from the glaciers always come suddenly and carry away everything in the river. It is suitable only for trout caught by the residents of Alagir for dinner. Fortunately, “hot waters” - pools filled from hot springs at 50 roubles per visit are open to the South of Alagir, in Verkhny Biragzang every day except Thursday.

History And Souvenirs

Belgians came to develop ore deposits in Alagir in 1896. They organized “Alagir” Joint-Stock Company, rented Sadonskie Mines, Alagir Plant.

They constructed an ore mining and processing complex. Its ruins, “Belgian Towers”, still stand at the Mining Museum. “They were able to construct things” – the residents of Alagir still admire the preserved brick wall.

What to bring home from here?

Naturally, Ossetian pies.
Naturally, araka (preferably homemade one, but you may also buy it in shops).
Naturally, Ossetian cheese costing 300 roubles per kilo for eating it and for attempts to bake Ossetian pies on your own.