Queen Tamar’s Castle towers over the southern exit of the Darial Gorge.
In ancient chronicles, this place is referred to as the Alan Gates or the Sarmatian Gates.
Two paths led to the fortress: from the west—across the isthmus connecting the cliff to a neighbouring mountain, and from the east—along the bed of the Terek River.
To this day, the ruins of the western wall and traces of the remaining walls have survived.
Three watchtowers rise above the surviving wall.
The entrance to the fortress was likely located on the southern side.
The foundations of outbuildings have been preserved in the inner courtyard.
A vaulted gallery was built into the southern wall, along with an underground passage leading down to the Terek.
It served to supply the fortress with water; the thickness of this passage’s walls reached two meters.
On the western side, on a steep cliff, stands yet another watchtower.