An ancient mountain fortress in Southern Russia has been restored by parishioners. Surrounded by medieval myths and legends it has started to attract tourists from all over the world.

The village is one of the most ancient settlements in Southern Russia. Ancestors of local people who were unable to live on the plain were forced to survive in the severe mountains. They built defensive fortresses right on the mountain's cliffs and prayed for salvation in a church, one of the first Orthodox Churches in the Caucasus.

The fortress was built a thousand years ago, when the North Caucasus was a scene of wars and incursions. Medieval mountaineers had no climbing equipment and it's a riddle how they managed to get into the towers.

Mortal remains could be seen inside the crypts in the fortress, built by ancient people, who believed in life after death and even devoted a horse to the dead so they could reach the kingdom of heaven.

The church and other historical monuments have recently been given state protection. Now they are guarded by not only local people, but Russian legislation as well.

The village now has the status of an 'open air museum'.

'open air museum'.