Residents of Ingushetia have drawn the attention of officials to the condition of the "Towers of Two Rivals".
The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites of Ingushetia reported on the development of a project for the restoration of the "Towers of Two Rivals"; work is planned to begin in 2027. Residents previously recorded a video appeal to the head of the republic, noting that the architectural complex is at risk of collapse due to the crumbling rock on which it is built.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on August 11, employees of the Dzheirakh-Assin Museum-Reserve reported that the project to strengthen the "Towers of Two Rivals" is already under development with financial support from the "Safmar" fund. However, no budget funds have been allocated for the examination of the towers and for the procedures to place the complex under state protection. Earlier, a group of women from Ingushetia recorded a video appeal to the head of the republic, Mahmud-Ali Kalimatov, demanding to save the complex, which is at risk of collapse due to the crumbling rock. Residents of Ingushetia reported the emergency condition of the towers as early as March 2024.
The medieval castle "Towers of Two Rivals" is located in the Dzheirakh district on a narrow ridge of the Rocky Range between the Ozdi-chok and Akh-chok gorges. The fortification consisted of two combat towers connected by a stone defensive wall into a single castle complex, as reported on the website of the tourism committee of Ingushetia.
The Committee for the State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites of Ingushetia reported on its Telegram channel about the start of work on the preparation of the restoration project for the architectural complex "Towers of Two Rivals", located in the Dzheirakh district.
"In 2026, specialists will develop a comprehensive restoration project for the monument. As part of the project preparation, necessary scientific research and historical-cultural studies will be conducted. Direct restoration work on the site is scheduled for 2027," the message states.
During the monitoring conducted, specialists identified damage to the wall masonry and loss of the roof of the complex. In addition, erosion is destroying the rocky foundation on which the towers stand, creating a threat of their collapse, the committee noted.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that in June 2026, employees of the committee for the protection of historical and cultural monuments of Ingushetia completed the examination of the complex and identified two previously unaccounted objects. The "Towers of Two Rivals" are listed in the registers as an identified object with signs of cultural heritage of regional significance. To include such objects in the unified state register, an examination must be conducted and accounting documentation prepared.