hover 1 journey electric scooter

Hover-1™ Journey Max E-Scooter

Product Detail

Specifications 

• Brand: Hover-1 
• Model: H1-JNY-DM
• Battery: 36V/13.2Ah
• Motor Power: 700W (2 x 350W)
• Range: 26 Miles
• Speed: 19 MPH
• Max Supported Weight: 264 lbs. (120 kg)
• Minimum Recommended Age: 16 years old
• Product Weight: 44.77 lbs. (20.31 kg)
• Product Folded Size: 46.4 in x 18.1 in x 17.3 in
• Product Unfolded Size: 46.4 in x 18.1 in x 47.6 in

Package includes

• 1 x Journey Max
• 1 x Wall Charger

We want you to love your item(s), but in the off-chance that you don’t, we accept full price product returns within 30 days. Please contact our support team for an RMA. Customer is responsible for return shipping costs.

Free shipping on all orders sitewide excluding parts and accessories. Orders are processed within 7 - 10 business days. Shipping to contiguous US only.

We do not ship to PO boxes. 

This model is covered by a 6 month limited part and labor warranty. Please be advised, the warranty is limited to manufacturer defects and does not cover consumable items (tires/charge ports/chargers/etc.), physical damage, or damage due to improper maintenance/abuse. For more information, the warranty can be found here .

Up to 19 MPH

Up to 26 Miles

8.5" Pneumatic Tires

Rear Disc Brake

LED Digital Display

The dual motor Journey Max

Concquer Hills

With 700W of dual motor power, Journey Max will power through inclines of up to 25 degrees.

3 Speed Modes

The Journey 2.0 has 2 speed modes to adapt to different riders.

E: Low speed mode

D: Drive mode

S: Sport mode

Dual or Single Motor Drive

Choose from single front drive, single rear drive, or engage dual motor drive to feel the rush. 

700W Dual Brushless Motor

The Journey Max has a two 350W brushless motors that can propel you up to 19 MPH. 

36V/13.2Ah Battery

The 36V/13.2Ah lithium-ion battery efficiently drives power to the motor and lasts for up to 26 miles of riding. It fully charges in only 5 hours.

Ride with the comfort of 8.5 inch pneumatic tires.

The rear disc brake lets you stop when you need to. 

Rider Guide Journey Max e-scooter review.

We’re a pioneer in electric rideables and continue to push the envelope for the ultimate ride. Engage with our interactive video to find the perfect ride for you, and discover just how electrifying our electric rideables can be! 

Customer reviews

Hear From Our Riders!

Customers also bought, hover-1™ electric scooter charger - highlander, helios, alpha, jive, journey, formula, escape (pts-chg-es6), hover-1™ helmet, hover-1™ alpha cargo e-scooter.

• Sports & Outdoors
• Action Sports
• Scooters & Equipment
• Electric Scooters

Add to your order

• No deductibles or hidden fees. Shipping included on all repairs. Fully transferable.
• Covers failures due to power surge and other mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
• Plan begins at the end of the manufacturer's warranty. Plans cover products purchased in the last 30 days.
• Easy claims process. If we can't fix it, we will send you a reimbursement for your product purchase price.
• Terms and conditions will be emailed from Asurion within 24 hours of purchase. This will not ship with your product. Plan is fully refunded if canceled within 30 days.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video, download Flash Player

Hover-1 Journey- Commuter Electric Fold-able Scooter, Sleek Design with LED Light, Electronic and Foot Brake, Portable, 8.5 inch Tires

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Folding Sleek Design
• Electronic & Foot Brake Capability
• Tires 8.5 inch
• LED Light, Front Hub Motor, Read Disk Brake
• LCD Display, Max load 220

Product information

Technical details, additional information, frequently bought together.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Product description

The Hover-1 Journey Electric Folding Scooter provides a convenient, stylish, and exciting form of transportation. The Hover-1 Journey Electric Folding Scooter Includes an ultra-safe easy to use charger. Cruise around on the most stylish Electric Folding Scooter on the market; With a LED Headlight and up to 16-mile battery life your Electric Folding Scooter will provide endless fun for you, your friends and your family. With a top speed of up to 14 MPH and a battery life of up to 16 miles, you can ride your Hover-1 Journey anytime, anywhere faster than ever.

From the manufacturer

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 48% 7% 6% 4% 34% 48%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 48% 7% 6% 4% 34% 7%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 48% 7% 6% 4% 34% 6%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 48% 7% 6% 4% 34% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 48% 7% 6% 4% 34% 34%
• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from Canada

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon and Our Planet
• Modern Slavery Statement
• Investor Relations
• Press Releases
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon Cash
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns Are Easy
• Manage your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Registry & Gift List
• Customer Service
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Interest-Based Ads
• Amazon.com.ca ULC | 40 King Street W 47th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 3Y2 |1-877-586-3230

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: the Perfect Scooter for Smaller Riders

Hover-1, the well-known manufacturer of hoverboards , also makes quality electric scooters sold in big box stores and online retailers. We previously reviewed the Hover-1 Journey Max and found a lot to love.

Hover-1 J ourney 2.0 – $599

The Hover-1 Journey 2.0 is different. It’s well-made, it’s small, it’s inexpensive, it’s colorful, it’s easy to ride, and, well… did we mention small? 

We’ve made a list of scooters best for taller, heavier adults , but we’ve yet to make a list for the petite. The Journey 2.0 should certainly be on it, and at only $350, it makes a great gift for a smaller rider or over-14 teen on your list. 

Who is this Scooter for?

The Hover-1 Journey 2.0 is not a performance scooter; it’s perfect for people who have ridden a Bird or Lime scooter, loved it, and don’t need any more power than a shared scooter offers.

It’s also the ideal size for adult riders on the shorter, smaller side, and it’s a great buy for teens looking for their first electric scooter.

We’d recommend this scooter for riders anywhere from 4’10’ to 5’10’. Its handlebar height is the lowest we’ve seen, 35.5 inches, but it can carry riders up to 265 lbs.

Our Full Video Review

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Performance and Stats

The Journey 2.0 has half the power, 350 Watts, of its bigger dual-motor sibling, the Journey Max, and it shows in its performance. 

In sport mode, the Journey 2.0 maxed out at 15.7 mph, the typical top speed of a rental scooter and around the fastest speed most people hit when cruising on a bicycle. 

The Journey Max is a powerful, 700W dual-motor scooter that climbs hills and accelerates like nothing in its class. In fact, it may be the most powerful electric scooter you can purchase for the price, and the best budget scooter for heavier riders.

Acceleration

We were very impressed with the Journey 2.0’s acceleration time of just 7.9 seconds from 0 to 15 mph, a number our expert reviewer Paul calls “exceptional for a scooter at this price point.”

Although it has only one front-mounted hub motor, the Journey 2.0 should carry most riders over most hills, most of which are around a 4-6% grade. The scooter struggled a little on our 10% grade, however.

If you need to hit some steeper climbs and/or weigh close to the 265-lb limit, you’d do well to check out the Journey Max, which is possibly the best hill climber you can buy for just under $600. 

You can’t expect much in the way of range with a scooter this compact and this inexpensively priced.

While Hover-1 claims 16 miles of range for the Journey 2.0, we got 8.9 miles in our test. 

Ride Quality

You won’t find suspension on any electric scooter at this price, but the Journey 2.0’s air-filled, tubed, 8.5-inch tires do a fairly good job of smoothing out the ride.

Many budget scooters rely on solid tires. These require no maintenance, but they’re a bumpy ride on anything but smooth pavement, so it’s nice to see Hover-1 go pneumatic for this budget model. 

“The ride is surprisingly smooth,” says Paul, “and cornering is great!”

Like the scooter it resembles – the classic Xiaomi M365 – the Journey 2.0 pares braking down to single lever.

The brake lever on the left controls a rear mechanical disc brake and front regenerative brake. Braking is excellent, best in its class. 

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Design, Build & Reliability

The Journey 2.0 might look like a Xiaomi M365, except when it comes to size. This will be problem for riders with big feet, who will feel scrunched up on the scooter’s deck. But again, most riders who shop in teen and petite sections will find its proportions ideal. 

The Hover-1’s diminutive profile and low weight – just 31.6 lbs – make an especially portable electric scooter: 

“Scooters like the Ninebot MAX G2 don’t really fit in my trunk without folding the seats forward, but here are two Journey 2.0’s in my trunk and I might even be able to jam a third one in, so this is handy if you want to take a few of them somewhere for a family ride.”

The Journey 2.0 excels as a family scooter in a number of other ways. Its frame is made of steel, which is fairly indestructible. And it comes in four colors, including an eye-poppingly visible neon yellow, pink and bright white. 

The scooter also has a limited top speed for newer riders and brakes that won’t send you flying over the handlebars if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Hover-1 Journey 2.0: Is It Worth It? Our Verdict

The under $400 price point was once littered with junk scooters. But well-built budget electric scooters like the Journey 2.0 now have some pretty stiff competition, including the GOTRAX G3 Plus, the Segway E2 Plus, and the NIU KQi1 Pro.

All these scooters have their downsides by comparison, as Paul notes in our full video review, and all of them limit rider weight between 200 and 220 lbs compared to the Journey 2.0’s 265 lb weight limit.

The Journey 2.0 has a lot more going for it than its small size, including a bright, highly readable display, easy folding and operation, and a warranty from maybe the second biggest manufacturer of personal electric vehicles worldwide.

Learn more about this scooter’s features in our full video review and check out Hover-1’s Journey Max for more power, speed, and acceleration.

Paul Somerville

Niu kqi air: carbon fiber featherweight champion, the 2023 inokim oxo: performance ↑ , price ↓, related articles.

Kaabo Wolf King GTR Review – Fast, Faster, Fastest?

GOTRAX GX2: 1,600W of Dual Motor Power

GOTRAX GX3 Review – A Flagship Dual Motor Monster

The GOTRAX GX Zero – A Powerful Dual Motor Commuter

• Login / Register

Hover-1 Electric Scooter and Hoverboard

Embrace the city in style with Hover-1 Electric Scooters and Hoverboards. Ride smarter, faster, and greener with our state-of-the-art technology.

Unlock exclusive savings Up to 50% off .

Electric scooters.

Hover-1 Journey Electric Scooter 14MPH, 16 Mile Range, 5HR Charge, LCD Display, 8.5 Inch High-Grip Tires, 220LB Max Weight, Cert. & Tested – Safe for Kids, Teens, Adults(White)

Hover-1 Helios Electric Folding Scooter, 18 MPH Top Speed, 24 Mile Range, 500 Watts Max Power, 10” Pneumatic Tires, Rear Disc Brakes, and Dual Front Suspension(Gray)

Hover-1 Journey 2.0 Max Foldable Electric Scooter for Adults with 350W/700W Brushless Motor, 15-19 mph Max Speed, 16-26 Mile Range, 8.5” Air-Filled Tires, Hill Climber(Yellow)

Hover-1 Helios Electric Folding Scooter, 18 MPH Top Speed, 24 Mile Range, 500 Watts Max Power, 10” Pneumatic Tires, Rear Disc Brakes, and Dual Front Suspension(Yellow)

Hoverboards

Hover-1 Dream Electric Hoverboard | 7MPH Top Speed, 6 Mile Range, Long Lasting Lithium-Ion Battery, 5HR Full Charge, Rider Modes: Beginner to Expert(Blue Dream)

Hover-1 Ultra Electric Hoverboard | 7MPH Top Speed, 12 Mile Range, 500W Motor, Long Lasting Li-Ion Battery, Rider Modes: Beginner to Expert, 4HR Full Charge(Blue)

Hover-1 H1 Hoverboard Electric Scooter(Iridescent)

Hover-1 H1 Hoverboard Electric Scooter(White)

Hover-1 Instinct(Blue)

Hover-1 Pro Series Altai R500/R750 Electric Bicycle with 28 mph Max Speed, 750W/500W Motor(Jet Black)

Hover-1 Pro Series Altai R500/R750 Electric Bicycle with 28 mph Max Speed, 750W/500W Motor(Red)

Hover-1 Instinct(Multi)

Hover-1 Kids Kick Scooter

Introducing the Hover-1 Kids Kick Scooter: designed for young adventurers, offering a smooth and safe ride experience. Ideal for outdoor fun!

Hover-1 Hoverboard Attachments

Explore new possibilities with Hover-1 Hoverboard Attachments, enhancing your ride with style and functionality. Elevate your hoverboard experience today!

Hover-1 Electric Rideables

Explore the world of Hover-1 Electric Rideables, where innovation meets mobility. From electric scooters to hoverboards, elevate your ride with cutting-edge technology and sleek design.

Flat-rate Delivery

Support 24/7, secure payment, free return, shopping cart.

No products in the cart.

• Sports & Outdoors
• Skates, Skateboards & Scooters
• Scooters & Equipment
• Kick Scooters

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Hover-1 Journey Max Adult Electric Scooter with 700W Brushless Dual Motor Hill Climber, 19 mph Max Speed, and 26 Mile Range

Top brand: hover-1, product information, technical details, additional information, looking for specific info, customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

No customer reviews

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Registry & Gift List
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• South Africa
• Nagorno Karabakh
• Cook Island
• Easter Island
• French Polynesia
• New Zealand
• Northern Macedonia
• Transnistria
• Privacy policy

North Ossetia – Birthplace of Mystical Alania

Snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, popular shrines of traditional Ossetian religion, ancient watch tower, Dargvas, the city of dead and the most pleasant capital Vladikavkaz. Yes, rattling off all of North Ossetia’s wonders leaves you breathless, like the natural beauty of this Russian Republic. The place breathes history . Starting with the Alans, ancient warriors of the Caucasus region to World War II, when the Germany attempt to grab the oilfields of the Caucasus region was stopped right there.

Ossetian countryside with an ancient watchtower, so typical for the Caucasus region

Vladikavkaz- Ruler of the Caucasus North Ossetia

It took me a while to pronounce the name of North Ossetia’s lovely capital Vladikavkaz  without difficulty. Only when a local explained its meaning „Ruler of the Caucasus “ , it rolled from my lips like honey . Founded in 1784 as a Russian fortress, it control led the only road linking Russia and Georgia at that time . I am not ashamed to admit that I had not heard of this town before I decided to do this trip. This city is only a two hours flight from Moscow and served as my jumping board for all onward travel.

Approaching Vladikavkaz by plane

The Saint Petersburg of the Cauacus

Vladikavkaz rightly prides itself of this title. T he streets of the Old City are lined with late grand 19th and early 20th century houses built for Russian army officers and merchants. I spent the hot parts of the days in Kosta Khetagurov Park

and strolled the banks of   River Terek in the evening , I visited picturesque churches and the most beautiful Mukhtarov Mosque .

Mukhtarov Mosque on the Banks of the River Terek

It sits right on the river and I first thought it was a church, since I had never before seen a mosque made of brick stones. I was invited inside by the caretaker , only when I saw the carpet after entering, I realized where I was . Arriving so totally unprepared without a headscarf and short sleeves irritated some men and I spent less time there than I would have liked.

Prospekt Mira (Peace Avenue) with ist 19th century houses

When I got tired of walking Vladikavkaz I hoped on a tram and enjoyed the quiet pace of provincial life from this perspective. Another highlight was watching families in the amusement park overlooking the river . Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. I watched life go by sitting on a tree-covered bench on car-free Prospekt Mira (Avenue of Peace), visited museums or hang out in cafes. Night life was not always, but sometimes is was great. Unforgettable a bar packed with young people, a small band was playing and a local celebrity grabbed the mike. A group of young ladies took me under their wings, and I left with cherished memories.

Vladikavkaz’s nightlife, great music and lovely people

The other must visit is a Retro USSR bar which has been operating for 100 years . People squash into small cubicles holding large mugs of beer that have to be picked up at the counter. Our little group was such a novelty that the regulars keep buying us so many drinks that we could not possible down them all.

Retro USSR bar, locals bought us so much beer we had to pass it on  

Hotel Vladikavkaz- great for people watching

The best place to view the snow-covered mountain peaks surrounding Vladikavkaz was from the Old Bridge or my room at Hotel Vladikavkaz , which was also overlooking Terek R iver and the amusement park . My most exciting moments on my balcony were the arrivals of weeding parties , which was quite a commotion.

Wedding Party arriving a Hotel Vladikavkaz

The convoy of expensive cars could be heard long before they pulled into the parking lots. The honking was deafening once they arrived, young beautiful women and middle aged men were then ushered into the hotel by friends and family clapping and singing. Once I sneaked into one of the posh parties, the noise of the music was earsplitting, and I was not sure if it was that much fun for most of the guests.

The location of the hotel is awesome and its veranda a place to linger forever (great WIFI) and do some serious people watching.

View from my hotel window, amusement park near River Terek

Caucasus wrestlers

Wrestling has a long tradition in the Caucasian Republics of Ossetia, Chechnya and Dagestan. Each has its own statistics that make it the number 1! By pure accident I learned that Vladikavkaz has a famous state-of-the-art wrestling academy. Nothing would have stopped me from visiting. I enjoyed an English-speaking tour through the premises, gyms, top equipment, sauna, pool. The academy hosts teams from all over the world also the USA, the fee is € 50 a day and kids a young as 9 years old start their training here. 

Wrestling Academy Vladikavkaz

Unfortunately, there was no training session while I visited, only a kind of rugby baske t ball match . Life in the region comes to a stand-still, when two champions fight each other in a tournament, especially if it one of them is American.

Wrestling Academy in Vladikavkaz

Vladikavkaz and the Caucasus in World War II  

On the outskirts of Vladikavkaz a memorial reminds of the Russian soldiers fallen in the battle of Vladikavkaz. Right beside the memorial is a huge mass grave, it was exactly here where the Germany army was stopped in the Caucaus . Hitler’s focus was on the rich oilfields of the Caucasus, which ironically supplied the German tanks and plane with fuel between 1939 and 1941. Before Hitler’s invasion of the USSR, Germany received 910.000 tons of oil from Stalin’s USSR, which made the quick advance of the German army and the use of its plane possible.

Words War II Memorial near Vladikavkaz, the front line was right there, this is how far the Germany army advanced

World War II Memorial near Vladikavkaz

Dargavs – The City of the Dead

A grassy hill dotted with little white huts was my first view of Dargavs. The two-hour drive from Vladikavkaz (US30 for the taxi) took me through stunning scenery, snow—capped mountains, greens meadows. Of course, I had prepared myself for this excursion, but I was still overwhelmed by this necropolis. A total of 95 stone crypts rise up the hillside in a very organized manner.  At the back of the complex is a watch tower whose top part has been destroyed. It is said that the tower was placed there to watch over the resting souls.

City of Dead, Dargavs 35 little crypts perched on a h ill

The tombs themselves are shaped like huts with curved roofs going inwards in steps and pointed peaks at the top, typical of Nakh architecture. If there is no pointed peak that means the family had no more surviving sun. The crypts tell even more about a family, the higher they were, the higher was their social status. The really big ones held up to 100 corpses.

City of Dead- Dargavs

The bodies were put in what looked little small canoes and shoved into the tiny opening. In some of the crypts you could peak through tiny openings and see the bones, some even wrapped in fabrics. I was told that until not too long ago the corpses wore rings and necklaces. Unbelievable, but recently visitors lost the respect for the dead and stole these precious bits, so the remaining jewelry was taken to a nearby museum. Actually, the site was closed down two months before my arrival, since visitors took photos of themselves with skulls. Only recently had it reopened.

Body were shoved into the structure in small wooden canoe-like coffins

The drive back to Vladikavkaz was equally spectacular, first through a small gorge following a river and then up an unpaved road with stunning vista of snowcapped mountains.

Ossetia’s countryside

Here in Dargavs I learned there were different types towers: Signal towers were high up in mountain and narrow. Towers served also as fortresses when under attack, they were wider and had up to three floors, since people found shelter there. Also amazing the time span they were being built, starting in the 5th century BC till 18th Century

Modern Monaster ies, Medieval R ock- F ortress and Pagan Saints

Not too far from Vladikavkaz is Fiagdon Monastery, an all-male monastery, which was only completed 2002. The monks collect herbs for making tea and produce cheese and honey. It looks way to modern but since I passed by I stopped to take a look.

our little gang that went to South and North Ossetia together

Much more interesting was the Medieval rock-fortress in the village of Dzivgis , which I would not have recognized as such, since it blends perfectly into the high cliff it was built in. In case of an attack the population of the whole gorge could find protection there.

Medival fortress

The Uastyrdzhi monument  catches the unknow traveler by surprise. In Ossetian folklore Uastyrdzhi   is the name of Saint George. He is the patron of the male sex and travellers. It is forbidden for women to pronounce his name, instead they must call him  “the saint of men”. When following the Ossetian Military Road along the River Ardon, it suddenly pops out of the rock. The horse’s hoof is 120 cm, and the palm of George can fit a man. But that is not all. Another place where he is worshipped looks like a church, especially since two small bells hung from a pole right next to it. The story goes that the people kept the bell but also their ancient belief. Since the end of the USSR the cult of Uastyrdzhi has enjoyed renewed popularity.

Uastyrdzhi Memorial = the name of Saint George.

Every year in fall lots of people gather for a big festival to celebrate Uastyrdzhi. The worshipping involved toasts made by an elderly from a wooden mug, who is assisted by two young men. Inside the small museum was a big painting of the very man with a long white beard riding a white horse, the mug and a chain hanging from the ceiling, so typcial for Ossetia.

Inside little museum where Uastyrdzhi is being worshipped

Three Days of September 2004 – The Siege of Beslan School Nr 1

Beslan is a small quiet town in the Russian Republic of North Ossetia in the Caucasus . Its streets are lined with brick-stone houses shaded by chestnut-trees, well-tended flower gardens adorn the front and vegetable gardens the back. Beslan could serve as a cliché-like model for a pastoral painting, if there had not been those 3 days in September 2004. On September 1st, t he gym of Beslan ’ s School Nr 1 became the epicenter of the hostage taking that resulted in the death of 335 mostly women and children three days later .

The former gym of Beslan School Nr 1, now a memorial to remind the 335 victims that were kept there for three days with water and food

In Beslan neighbors, family and friends sit outside their houses, chat and a random car or person go by. Children play in the street and a stranger like me walking by causes attention. When I took photos of the flower gardens, some locals were so touched, they took me inside to show me the gardens behind, I was offered food, teach and sweets. 

Beslan: beautiful flower gardens in front of the houses

Local family invited me for lunch and showed off their garden

I stayed with a family who fed me during my three day stay since I could not detect any eatery. The woman had learned some basic English and with google translator we managed to communicate.

Natascha cooking in the super hot little kitchen

Tiny tables, require creativity, stool goes sideways

On September 1 st , 2004, n eatly dressed children with balloons and flowers arrived for the traditional first day-of-school ceremony accompanied by parents and relative s . This moment of joy and happiness suddenly turned into a unparallel ed drama that lasted for three day:  more than 1100 children, parents and teachers were taken hostage by a terrorist group demanding independence for Chechnya.

Water bottled remind of the relentless thirst the children and adults suffered from

Forced into the gym where temperatures reached 40 degrees, the hostages were denied water and food, while the over 30 terrorists planted bombs all over the building. On the third day in an abysmal chaos of explosions, fire and gunshots 335 people were killed. In the video „The Children of Beslan“ children who survived remember those three days, the best documentary in my eyes. Unfiltered, the children talk about what seems unspeakable.

The former gym of Beslan school Nr 1.

In the few sequences of the video that show the end of the siege, even the most uninformed viewer immediately realizes the absolute chaos that dominated the event. To this day, countless questions of the parents have remained unanswered.

Photos of the victims on the wall of the Former gym, most of them children, give the horrid numbers a face

The victims were buried in a new cemetery a bit outside of Beslan, all the tomb stone are made of the same stone, symbolizing the same tragic fate. I passed one grave with five tomb stones, all members of the same family. It is impossible to comprehend the grief and pain that still haunts Beslan.

Another tragic story of is the one of Vitaly Kaloyev , an architect and native of Vladikavkaz. He lost lost his wife and two small children when  two planes collided mid-air over Germany on June 1, 2002. Kaloyev held Peter Nielsen, the sole air traffic controller in Switzerland who was handling traffic the night of the collision, responsible. In 2004, Kaloyev travelled to the Swiss  town of Knoten where he killed Nielsen, who had since retired from air traffic work.

Later, after his release from prison, Kaloyev was appointed deputy minister of construction of North Ossetia-Alania . In 2016, upon retirement from the local Ossetian government, Kaloyev was awarded the highest regional medal by that government, the medal “To the Glory of Ossetia”. The medal is awarded for the highest achievements, improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of the region, for educating the younger generation and maintaining law and order.

Vital Kaloyev touching the grave of his wife and two children

Share with:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Beslan , Dargavs , Fiagdon Monastery , Mukhtarov Mosque; Vladikavkaz , Uastyrdzhi , Vladikavkaz , Wrestling Academy

No comments yet.

Leave a reply click here to cancel reply..

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.