Aul

For other uses, seeAul (disambiguation).

Not to be confused withAwlorAuel.

Anaul(/ˈɔːl/;lit. 'village') is a type of fortified village or town found throughout theCaucasusmountains andCentral Asia.

Gunib,an aul in Dagestan, as photographed byProkudin-Gorskyat some point between 1905 and 1915.

Medieval aulTsoriinIngushetia

They are generally built out of stone, on faces of ridges or against cliffs in order to provide protection against surprise attacks. Houses are usually two stories high, and they are staggered to make it virtually impossible for enemies to get anywhere on the roads. The houses usually have a southern aspect to take advantage of the sun in the winter and to be sheltered from the northern winds. Often, they are not located near good farmland or water sources, so it is necessary to bring water into the settlement.

In the 19th century, asRussiafought toconquer the Caucasus,auls were very formidable defences and could be taken for the most part only by storming.

The auls ofSvaneti,Georgia,with their distinctive medieval towers, have been recognized as aWorld Heritage Site.Comparable towers may be found elsewhere in the Caucasus, specifically inIngushetia.

Further reading

• Qazaq tılı termiñderınıñ salalyq ğylymi tüsındırme sözdıgı: Geografia jäne geodezia. — Almaty: "Mektep" baspasy, 2007. — 264 bet.