Ts'khinvali

Modern Ossetians call the city Tskhinval (leaving off the final "i", which is a nominative case ending in Georgian). In colloquial Ossetian, it is often called Chreba (Ossetian: Чъреба).

History:

Tskhinvali was first chronicled by Georgian sources in 1398 as a village in Kartli (central Georgia). By the early 20th century, Tskhinvali had developed into a commercial town with a mixed Georgian Jewish, Georgian, Armenian and Ossetian population. During the Soviet era, the town became largely Ossetian due to intense urbanisation and Soviet nativization policy which induced an inflow of the Ossetians from the nearby rural areas into Tskhinvali. It was essentially an industrial centre, with lumber mills and manufacturing plants, and had also several cultural and educational institutions such as a Pedagogical Institute (now Tskhinvali State University) and a drama theatre.

During the 2008 Russian-Georgian War, Tskhinvali was shelled by the Georgian government on in an attempt to regain control over the South Ossetia. After the bombings, the Georgian army invaded the city. The Russian army responded on the following day by moving its own forces into the city, which was captured by the Russian army after intense fighting. 160-360 civilians died during the Battle of Tskhinvali.

The town was heavily damaged during the battle. The old Jewish Quarter, one of the town's unique neighbourhoods, and its main residential district were completely destroyed.

Citizens of any state can come to Tskhinval only from the Russian side. Crossing the border with Georgia is impossible in either direction. Pretty much the only way to get to Tskhinvali is to travel south of Vladikavkaz, the main city of North Ossetia in Russia.

From Russia, you can get to Tskhinval along the only highway - the Transcaucasian highway.

Buses (marshrutkas) run from Vladikavkaz to Tskhinval several times a day. Numerous taxis also run along this route.

The nearest airport is in Vladikavkaz.