Nykhas Uastyrdzhi: The Monument to Saint George
If you happen to be driving along the Ossetian Military Road, you will most certainly notice this monument. Dressed in a white cloak, this cavalryman is known to Ossetians as Nykhas Uastyrdzhi (Ossetian name of St. George). Nykhas Uastyrdzhi is the patron Saint of men, travelers, and warriors. Saint George is looking down as if waiting for the right moment to come down from the Heaven and help those who are in need and sorrow.
According to legend, St. Hetag (also Khetag), the son of a Kabardian Muslim prince, converted to Christianity and had to flee from those who wanted to force him to turn back to Islam. As his pursuers were about to catch up with him, he prayed for help in an open field, and the forest descended from the mountain slopes to conceal him. Upon seeing this miracle, Hetag’s enemies fled, and Hetag consecrated the grove to Uastyrdzhi. The grove is made up of ash and beech trees and covers just under 13 hectares. The Nykhas Uastyrdzhi monument is located a few kilometers from the Hetag’s Grove.
Back in 2013, the monument was nominated to be the visual symbol of Russia.
Location: Alagir, Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Nykhas Uastyrdzhi Monument, Alagir Gorge entrance on the Transcaucasian Highway, North Ossetia–Alania, Russia
- Coordinates
- 42.9590431, 44.2118061
- Access
- Kavkaz.RF’s current regional visitor listing places the monument at the entrance to the Alagir Gorge on the Transcaucasian Highway and lists roadside parking and a covered rest area beneath it. Stop only in the designated parking area; never stop on the highway. Check road conditions and local restrictions before traveling.
- Admission
- The regional visitor listing does not publish a separate entrance fee for the outdoor monument. Do not treat the absence of a listed price as confirmation that every nearby facility is free; check local notices.
- Time needed
- No official visit duration is published. If road conditions and designated parking allow a stop, plan a brief exterior visit; do not stop on the highway.
- Best season
- No official preferred visitor season is published. Check weather and road conditions on the mountain route, and follow current local access notices.
- Opening hours
- No visitor opening hours are published for the outdoor roadside monument. Access depends on road conditions and local restrictions; use designated parking only.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-22
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
Location
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Cool monument. Although, that junkie car should also be nominated to be a visual symbol of Russia. 🙂
Photoshopped, obviously.