Shaytan Jilga tract («Plato Demonov»)
The Shaitan Jilga tract (also known as Shaitan-Jiga, «Plateau of Demons», «Devil's Helmet» or the Kyrkchilla area) is a unique natural monument and geological phenomenon in the spurs of the Zarafshan range, located about 30–35 km south of Samarkand near the village of Karatepa (Urgut district). The tract is a high-mountain granite plateau strewn with giant boulders and outliers of bizarre shapes resembling monsters frozen in a dance, skulls, giant mushrooms and pointed battle helmets. This place is shrouded in folk legends about evil spirits and ancient rituals, and gained worldwide fame in pop culture thanks to Sergei Lukyanenko's novel «The Last Watch»
Duration
60 min
About
Origin of names and toponymy
Shaytan-Dzhiga / Shaytan Zhiga: Literally translated as "Devil's Helmet" or "Satan's Crown/Sultan" (dzhiga is a plume, a precious ornament on the battle helmet of Eastern warriors or the turban of a ruler). The name was given because of the characteristic peaked conical shape of many granite monoliths.
Shaytan Dzhilga: An alternative translation is "Devil's Ravine" or "Demon's Channel," referring to the canyon of the tract carved by sai and fissures.
Kyrkchilla: Denotes a sacred place of seclusion (chilla is a 40-day fast and solitary prayer of dervishes and Sufis far from worldly vanity). In the rock crevices and grottoes of the plateau, wandering hermits found shelter for spiritual practices.
«Plato Demonov»: A popular tourist name that took hold because of the silhouettes of the rocks resembling fantastic monsters.
Geological nature of the landscape
Unlike most limestone mountains in the vicinity of Samarkand, the Karatepa tract is composed of layers of ancient gray granites:
Aeolian and temperature weathering: Over millions of years, sharp temperature fluctuations, winter frosts, rains and winds carved deep furrows, niches and through-holes (tafoni) in the pliable granite layers.
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