Fort Raiym
In the 19th century, the Russian Empire sought to strengthen its influence in Central Asia and protect trade caravans from raids by nomadic tribes. To fulfill these objectives, a network of fortresses was erected. Among them was Fort Raiym, the first Russian military stronghold in the Aral Sea region. In 1847, the fort welcomed its first settlers - 26 families of Orenburg Cossacks.
The Aral as Chronicled by Taras Shevchenko
In 1848, Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko, exiled by Nicholas I for his revolutionary verses, arrived at Fort Raiym. In his diary, he portrayed the settlement: "At sunrise, we approached Fort Raiym. The vista from the steppe of the fort is even more somber than that of Kalu-Irgiz. On the horizon, a lengthy, reed-covered barracks barely peaks above the rampart. That’s Raiym in its entirety... As we drew closer to the fort, a broad verdant strip of reeds unfurled, occasionally revealing glimpses of the silvery Syrdarya River... A cape protrudes between two expansive lakes..."
Shevchenko lived in Raiym with his friend A. Maksheyev, who noted in his own journals that the settlement derived its name from a Kazakh warrior, whose tomb lay adjacent to the fort. Revered by locals, the mausoleum stood untouched for several years until settlers razed it in 1852.
Shevchenko visited Fort Raiym three times, each stay lasting 1-2 months, during which he captured local landmarks in his sketches. Among these drawings is a portrayal of the dilapidated Raiym mausoleum against a backdrop of soldiers, yurts, and a barrack, emitting smoke from its chimney. Shevchenko's works not only depicted local scenery but also scenes of Kazakh daily life and expeditionary endeavors. Many of his sketches feature landmarks long vanished and the Aral Sea in its former splendor, now a memory.
Decline of the fort
In 1851, the majority of Raiym's population relocated to Kazalinsk, although the river port remained operational for a few more years until the fort's official dissolution in 1854.
Today, all that remains of the fort is a hill. It provides great views of the area, which helped mapmakers in the 1930s when they were drawing maps of the region. No structures remain atop the hill, but when viewed from above, you can still make out the shape of the fortress. The hill is surrounded by lakes and marshes, with Lake Kamystybas visible in the distance. Adjacent to the hill lies the small village of Raiym.
Pre-fortification habitation
Centuries prior to the fort's establishment, this area was inhabited by tribes. It is evidenced by Paleolithic artifacts discovered atop the hill – arrowheads, knives, and scrapers.
How to get there?
Fort Raiym lies 25 km (15.5 mi) southwest of Kamystybas railway station, accessible by car in a mere half-hour. Alternatively, from the town of Kazalinsk, situated 84 km (52 mi) away, the journey spans approximately one and a half hours.
Other tourist attractions near Fort Raiym:
- Lake Kamystybas
- Syrdarya River
- Mausoleum of Tolybai Batyr
- The Village of Karateren
- The Village of Aiteke-Bi
- Mausoleum of Basibek
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A short off-road expedition around the Kazakhstan (Northern) part of the Aral Sea, to the completely unknown and not popular among tourists places. Long journeys, overnights in tents, dust, salt water, lots of interesting finds and other adventures are waiting you in this tour!