It was essentially an industrial centre, with lumber mills and manufacturing plants, and had also several cultural and educational institutions such as a venerated Pedagogical Institute (currently Tskhinvali State University) and a drama theatre.
Era esencialmente un centro industrial, con serradoiros e plantas de fabricación, tamén tiña varias institucións culturais e educativas, como un venerado Instituto Pedagóxico (actualmente Universidade Estatal de Tskhinvale) e un teatro.