Nearly 20 percent of medieval towers destroyed in ChechnyaBy Timur Aliyev
GROZNY, Chechnya – In Chechnya, almost one fifth of the relics of medieval architecture – towers, burial vaults, and religious buildings – have been destroyed. This was reported by Said Saratov, director of Argunsky zapovednik, a state-run historical-cultural and natural heritage organization operating in southern Chechnya.
Saratov says that many relics have suffered enormous damage from bombings and artillery bombardments. As an example, he cites the Shatoi tower, which is situated in a gorge and was restored in 1990. It was damaged in 2000 when it was in the zone of artillery fire. Now an enormous hole gapes in its upper part and if not removed, will destroy the whole tower.
Sad to say, criminal proceedings were only instituted in one case of the monuments’ destruction, the director points out. In 2001, drunken servicemen fired close-range artillery on the Ushkaloi tower-sanctuary, which dates from the 12th century, and is situated on the Shatoi-Itum-Kali road. After the firing, two holes, a two-metre fracture and cracks appeared on the front side of the tower, and the walls were ripped away from the rocks to which they were fixed. “The slightest earth tremor could bring the tower crashing down,” Saratov says.
According to him, the architectural relics are in urgent need of restoration. For example, the corners of the Tazbichinskaya and Guchum-Kalinskaya towers have been knocked off by artillery shells. They each lean on three corners, and stand on a precipice. If a landslide occurs, it will be impossible to save the stone structures. “For that not to happen, restoration is needed, as are concrete reinforcements for the waterside area,” the director concludes.
Saratov remarks that in recent years no money has even been made available for the inspection of the condition of the architectural relics. “The year 2003 looked as though it was going to be an exception, when the Russian Ministry of Culture decided to grant a million roubles to the Argun heritage organization. We have carried out our obligations according to the agreement, and have prepared documentation for 20 relics. But the money hasn’t reached us,” he complains.
Translated by David McDuff.
(MD/T,B) RELATED ARTICLES:
· Chechnya: Ancient Towers Under Threat (IWPR / Lecha Ilyasov, 27.2.2003)
· Photographs of Chechen towers (Chechen.org)
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