RIA Novosti is inviting its readers on a photo tour of Russia. Today's city is Grozny.
Grozny is a city in the North Caucasus in southern Russia and is the capital of the Chechen Republic. Photo: View of central Grozny and the Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque.
Grozny is situated on both banks of the Sunzha River, a tributary of the River Terek (the Chechen name for Grozny is Sunzha-City).
The foundation stones for the Grozny Fortress were laid on June 22, 1818. The spot chosen for it was approximately six kilometers from the entrance to the Khankalsky Gorge (the Khan Kale tract), which lies between low ridges and was considered impassible. Photo: Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque in Grozny today.
It took 5,000 Russian soldiers four months to build the fortress. In those days this location was considered to be the most volatile place in the North Caucasus, which is why the fort was called Grozny (or Formidable). Photo: view of Grozny today.
Between 1851 and 1854, while serving in the Caucasus, a young Leo Tolstoy visited the fort on several occasions. Photo: view of Grozny today.
In late 1994 and late 1999, the city was captured by Russian troops, and in August 1996 by the combined forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. The city suffered terribly during these assaults. Photo: Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque (foreground) and the Grozny-City high-rise complex (background).
Grozny is currently undergoing active restoration. Photo: View of the mosque built inside the new government complex in Grozny.
The mosque inside the new government complex in Grozny.
View of the Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque and the Official Reception Palace in central Grozny.
