(Source: http://galgai.com)

The ruins of the Khazar fortress built in VII-IX century BC are preserved near Semikarakorsk on an island formed by the Salak Channel and small rivers.

Once there was one of the gateways of the Silk Road whereby the goods from Asia were transported by the water. As far as they chose a sloping, not the steep river bank for the construction, the main purpose of this building were trade and transportation of goods, not defense.

Excavations in 1972 allowed to determine the structure of the fortress: a citadel or a temple in the centre, a pentagonal shaft, a huge tower on the east side, several burial mounds and circular structures of unknown purpose. The remains of a moat, a rampart and a large tower, as well as burial mounds are preserved.

The island and the fortress are rather mysterious places, as well as the Khazar state itself that flourished for several centuries but did not survive the struggle with the Pechenegs and the Prince of Kiev Svyatoslav. It is still unclear, if this island is of natural origin or its water borders were created artificially.

The Khazar name of the fortress is also unknown.