South Ossetia is a partially recognized republic located in the southern part of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, bordering Georgia and Russia. The region gained de-facto independence as the result of the South Ossetian War of 1991–1992. Following the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, Russia and a few other countries recognized South Ossetia’s independence, though most of the international community continues to regard it as part of Georgia. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient fortresses and traditional Ossetian cuisine. The Tir Holy Nativity Monastery pictured on this postcard is a 13th-century Orthodox church located 9 km northwest of Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia.
