Kislovodsk baths. The main Narzan baths in Kislovodsk. Kislovodsk Resort Park will again become the largest in Europe

5,4

Good enough

. Rest
. Family with small children
. Presidential Suite

The restorers and decorators of this beautiful architectural monument should be tried for sabotage. I understand that in the USSR everyone had a hungry childhood, but this idea of oriental luxury - peacocks and half-naked girls on cheap reproductions - is creepy kitsch, but even worse are the rave reviews - Brzezinski is right - “How happy Russians are that they don’t know what they are like.” unfortunate." We live in Vilamoura, Portugal, my wife is from Rio, we used to live in Dubai, our son was born there - during our son’s holidays, we first flew to Brazil to visit relatives, then to Dubai for a week and to Kislovodsk to see his Russian grandparents. In Dubai we lived in the Hilton at Dubai Marina by the sea for 100 euros (now it’s not the season there), in Kislovodsk in GNV for 685 euros) Only a mother and son (or a couple of dwarfs) can fit on the “large luxurious” bed (or a couple of dwarfs), the sofa is not suitable for even the 7th child's sleep. So dad sleeps on the floor) in a 5 star hotel in the presidential suite! The food is poor, for breakfast the same as for lunch and dinner, only hot dishes change. They don't know what breakfast is - scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, toast, juice. We could not feed the child properly - the Ogonyok cafe near the fountain and the hotel chef helped us out, who cooked for us from the products that we bought in the store. For 5 stars you don’t have a toaster in the hall, a cook making you scrambled eggs or an omelet with your choice of toppings, a standard set of hot dishes, fruits and juices.... Services. After a walk in the park, anyone would want a massage. But the massage therapist is resting on Saturday/Sunday))) And the second massage therapist quit due to late payment and the hotel’s reputation is such that they cannot find a new one. I was born in the USSR, I can eat anything and sleep anywhere, but my wife is shocked. The contrast, of course, was added by the fact that we went straight from the Hilton in Dubai to the GNV on the CMS. They even offered us to pay 200,000 rubles for 4 days in cash, since “the terminal does not work.” It's a shame. I want progress and prosperity for my small homeland. THANK YOU to the staff - well done ALL. We tried.

Location. Architecture of the building.

Length of stay: August 2019

Russia

1 mark “helpful review”

“I would like to express my gratitude to the team for their attentive and sensitive attitude.”

. Rest
. Family with small children
. 10 night stay
. Sent from phone

A beautiful old building in the heart of the city, great location and polite staff!

Length of stay: July 2019

Russia

“A good place to stay if you want to spend an active holiday.”

. Rest
. Single Room- Treatment included
. 12 night stay
. Sent from phone

Quiet, cozy hotel. Friendly staff.

Length of stay: July 2019

Russia

5 marks “helpful review”

Fabulous

. Rest
. Pair
. Single Room
. 5 nights stay
. Sent from phone

Everything is great

Length of stay: July 2019

Kazakhstan

2 marks “helpful review”

Fabulous

. Rest
. Solo traveler
. Single Room
. Sent from phone

There's no such thing

Everything was amazing! Especially special thanks to the Spa Center: Igor Fedorovich, Yulia and Christina! Highly recommend!

Length of stay: July 2019

Russia

3 marks “helpful review”

9,6

Fabulous

. Rest
. Pair
. Double Room Deluxe with 1 bed
. 3 nights stay
. Sent from phone

The hotel is great, but the breakfast is not even 4 stars.

Length of stay: July 2019

Russia

1 mark “helpful review”

9,6

Fabulous

. Rest
. Group of friends
. Single Room
. 4 nights stay
. Sent from phone

It’s the beginning of the season and we’re not quite prepared yet)

Convenient location, helpful staff, everything is convenient and comfortable! Many compliments from the hotel)

Length of stay: May 2019

Russia

4 marks “helpful review”

Fabulous

. Rest
. Pair
. Deluxe Double Room
. 2 night stay
. Sent from phone

Wonderful location, very center. Very attentive and responsive staff. I would like to express special gratitude to Lyudmila Edwardovna and Roman. All issues with them were resolved quickly and professionally. Good breakfasts. Can be issued full board. Everything is very delicious. I recommend staying at this place.

Length of stay: May 2019

Russia

17 marks “helpful review”

9,2

"Good hotel"

. Rest
. Pair
. Deluxe Double Room
. 3 nights stay
. Sent from phone

The main problem is food. It does not correspond to the level and prices of the hotel. Everything from the quality of the food to its placement buffet raises questions. No coffee machine. 3 in 1 bags are absolutely a song. No milk, kefir, cottage cheese. For a hotel that charges 16,000 per night, this is not normal. It is advisable to sign the food. It’s not always clear what’s in the bowl) True, champagne at breakfast excuses a lot)

The staff tried very hard to make everyone feel good. Historical building with a new, somewhat pompous renovation. Transfer. Tea ceremony. The location is great. Purely

Length of stay: May 2019

Russia

6 marks “helpful review”

“A wonderful holiday in a luxurious complex with a century-old history! »

. Rest
. Family with small children
. 2 numbers
. Sent from phone

We rested with my husband at the “Main Narzan Baths” on May 2, 2019. To say that I really liked it is to say nothing! Just in absolutely delighted!!! Starting from the meeting, accommodation and the whole stay in general, the smile from a pleasant pastime did not leave my face. The splendor of the eastern palace, located in the very heart of Kurortny Boulevard, turned my head from the first minute both with the external originality of the outlines of the facade and with the rich interior decoration. The interior is so mesmerizing that you instantly mentally transport yourself to Arabian tale, imagining herself as the Shamakhan queen))). Everything is so realistic and consistent in the oriental style, Persian carpets, paintings depicting beautiful maidens, that I even called my husband my sultan a couple of times))) and he really liked it))). While staying in this magnificent architectural monument, you never leave the feeling that you are in touch with history, plunging into the past, when noble gentlemen and ladies took mineral baths here and were cured of various ailments. The staff of the sanatorium is very responsive and friendly, they try to fulfill your request at the first call. The buffet line at the Valentina restaurant is represented by varied and delicious dishes. In the evening, a talented musical performer gives a concert in the same restaurant. Guests can also participate in this event if they wish))), which is what I undoubtedly did, performing several popular songs. The sanatorium has a hammam and two crystal pools, one with cold water, in which you can cool off after steaming in the hammam, the other with warm, comfortable water and hydromassages, the cleanliness of which is constantly monitored by specially designated employees.

Length of stay: May 2019

Russia

4 marks “helpful review”

“Thank you to everyone who put their soul and effort into the interior decoration! This is extraordinary!”

. Rest
. Solo traveler
. Single Room
. 6 nights stay

I liked everything. Chic and delightful interiors! The friendly, very friendly staff carefully and discreetly makes your stay at the sanatorium a holiday. Thank you for giving me another place I want to return to!

Length of stay: April 2019

Daria Tarakanova

Russia

Age: 18–24

13 marks “helpful review”

7,1

“The hotel does not correspond to 4 stars”

. Rest
. Family with small children
. Deluxe Double Room
. 1 night stay
. Sent from phone

Not available in the rooms telephone communications from the reception, the rooms are small, most of the staff don’t know what to do (in the restaurant for a long time they couldn’t figure out which menu to feed us, the restaurant administrator generally shunned us, the hotel still doesn’t have a view of the mountains) they asked for an additional bottle of water - they charged us 100 rubles (by the way, you can only pay in cash), provided that the room per day costs 20,000 and is declared in the Luxury category! Unfortunately, the staff still cannot and does not provide service of this level. The Hotel itself justifies itself by the fact that they have just opened - but the prices are already prohibitive. In general, in terms of price/quality ratio, it is a complete mismatch. The minibar is sooooo meager (tarragon, narzan and tuborg, crackers, Snickers and nuts). During breakfast and dinner, they asked several times which room we were from, which was already starting to irritate. The food in the restaurant was cold. Some dishes were not available at all.. Stay 1 night

. Solo traveler

. Deluxe Double Room

. 1 night stay

I don’t like writing reviews, but this is a special case... I can’t help but note this hotel most highly appreciated! The fact is that when choosing a hotel for a business trip, my colleagues advised me of the Main Narzan Baths as a hotel ideal for organizing business meetings. In addition, when I arrived, they provided me with a transfer and met me in a Mercedes.... Cool, which was very helpful. Special thanks to the administrator of the Complex for the warm welcome, sensitive and attentive attitude. I was greeted very warmly, they found out about all my wishes, showed me local attractions, and sent me on the second day to an oriental hammam and a tea ceremony. For the first time I attended a tea ceremony, which lasted more than an hour. I never thought it could be so sweet and peaceful. And your choice of breakfast, Russian or American, is beyond all praise! I chose Russian breakfast. They served porridge with wild berries and pancakes with red caviar - what a level! A business meeting with my partners was organized especially for me for lunch, which went very well in the atmosphere of an elite restaurant with excellent cuisine in a relaxed business atmosphere. Overall, the Hotel Glav. Narzan. - This unique place, which combines the beauty of classical royal architecture, luxurious rooms and all the latest SPA and medical center services at the highest world level. The convenient location of the hotel in the very center of Kislovodsk allowed me to save time on business meetings with partners, as well as have time to visit all the attractions that every visitor to this historical place should see. I express my gratitude to the administration of the Main Narzan Baths Complex for highest service and the quality of the services provided! I recommend this place to everyone for civilized business tourism and adult-style recreation!

Length of stay: November 2018

More architecture and Main Narzan baths, Stavropol region, Kislovodsk
Chronicle of a Russian estate

On the eve of the holiday season, I am opening a series of publications dedicated to... historical monuments, located on the territory of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and Crimea. The first point of our journey will be the city of Kislovodsk and its main attraction - the building of the Main Narzan Baths. More

It was built in 1901-1903 according to the design of the architect A. N. Klepinin in a Moorish style, unusual for Russia. The building is decorated with unique stucco molding, reliefs and carved elements, stepped turrets made by the sculptor Ludwig Szodsky and majolica cladding, which was worked on by Mikhail Vrubel himself. These decorative elements make the Narzan baths building unlike any other architectural monument in our country. Some art historians note that Klepinin’s masterpiece has some external resemblance to Hindu temple Angkor Wat in Cambodia. For a long time, the Main Narzan Baths were in disrepair. In 2015, Valentina Matvienko visited Kislovodsk on a working visit. The speaker of the Federation Council was struck by the unsatisfactory condition of the resort buildings and the misuse of the park territory. Question of conservation historical heritage Valentina Matvienko placed the famous resort under her personal control. Thus, in 2015, Vladimir Putin signed a number of orders regarding the improvement of the resort area in Kislovodsk. The building of the Main Narzan Baths was transferred to the operational management of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “AUIPIK”. In March of this year, the long-awaited restoration of the Kislovodsk architectural pearl began, however, instead of positive reviews, local residents leave dozens of negative comments about the reconstruction. What caused this reaction?

2. Resort Boulevard

Located in Kislovodsk great amount architectural monuments. Most of these amazing structures was built in the 19th – early 20th centuries. Almost all architectural styles are represented in the resort city. This includes classicism, modernism, and rare examples of eclecticism. Kislovodsk can rightfully be called a treasury of Russian modernism. It is in this architectural style that the Tvarchrelidze Dacha (better known among tourists as the “Kshesinskaya Dacha”) and the literary and musical museum “Chaliapin’s Dacha” were built.

3. 1910-1919

4. Plan of Kislovodsk

In stories about Kislovodsk, we will begin to move along Kurortny Boulevard to the Narzan Gallery and Kislovodsk Park.

All of the listed architectural monuments have long become a kind of “ business card» of the city, losing honorable primacy to only one building - the complex of the Main Narzan Baths.

5. Entrance to the women's section of the baths

6. Fairytale staircase

The complex, grandiose in its beauty and scale, was built according to the design and under the leadership of engineer A.N. Klepinin in 1901-1903. It was decided to build it on the boulevard, which in historical sequence was called Poplar Alley, Sovetsky Prospekt and Kurortny Prospekt - in our days.

7. Since the terrain to the north decreases, the northern wing had to be raised using a rather high foundation, which necessitated the construction of a staircase

8. Graceful railings

Outlandish forms of the Moorish style, their oriental luxury and sophistication make the appearance of the building unforgettable. The intricacy and emphasized solemnity of the building of the Narzan baths are given by rich stucco molding, an abundance of reliefs, platbands, characteristic stepped turrets and majolica cladding. The severity of the general architectural forms is diluted by fancy details, as if hinting to vacationers that they have come not only to a health resort city, but also to a resort city.

While developing the project for Narzan baths, A.N. Klepinin decided that in spirit and architecture a large two-story building would be ideal for Kislovodsk, the lower floor of which would be intended for narzan baths and swimming pools, and the upper floor for hydrotherapeutic procedures. There were supposed to be massage rooms, saunas, fresh showers of various types and a special Wellenbad massage bath, in which a stream of hot water flowed from a special hole in the wall. Moreover, Klepinin thought out the location of the baths in such a way that the narzan would flow into a special tank in the engine room on its own - due to the fact that the building was located just below the level of the main source. Construction of the complex according to Klepinin’s design began in 1901. The complex cost the state 393 thousand royal rubles, which would now be a little more than 400 million rubles.

10. North wing

The building of the Main Narzan Baths can rightfully be called one of Klepinin’s most outstanding creations. In 1920, the architect was destined to emigrate to France. Andrei Nikolaevich's eldest son, Nikolai Klepinin, wanted to return to the USSR in 1937. But he was arrested on suspicion of espionage and shot. Klepinin's youngest son, Dmitry, became a priest in Orthodox church in France. For his participation in the French Resistance movement, he was captured by the Gestapo and sent to Buchenwald, where he was destined to die. In 2004, the Patriarchate of Constantinople canonized Father Dmitry Klepinin as a saint.

How did the events of the early 20th century affect the building of the Main Baths? The years of revolution and the change of political regime in the country influenced the general atmosphere of the resort, but did not change its functional purpose. The Soviet government decided to make the resort in Kislovodsk more visited and accessible. It was at this time that the building of the Narzan baths received its modern name– Main narzan baths. Before this, the complex was called “carbon dioxide baths of Narzan”. The increase in the number of visitors to the resort required an increase in the number of baths and total area resort The Narzan baths building was reconstructed. After that, it changed its name again and officially acquired the status of “main”.

15. At this place stood a monument to I.V. Stalin

16. 1946-1952

During the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War, the resort life of the city ceased, and all buildings related to the resort were converted into hospitals. After the end of the war, the building ceased to serve its intended purpose for a long time and only with its ceremonial architectural appearance reminded the townspeople and guests of the city of the forgotten delights of tourism and recreation.

17. Memorial plaque

18. Facade from Kurortny Boulevard

It was decided to return the complex to its direct functional purpose only in the seventies of the last century. It was then that the building underwent its last major renovation. Over time, the equipment began to deteriorate, and the architectural pearl of Kislovodsk itself began to slowly collapse. In 2010, it was decided to undergo a major restoration of the building and completely replace the equipment. However, restoration work was greatly delayed.

In the summer of 2015, Valentina Matvienko visited Kislovodsk. The speaker of the Federation Council spoke about the state of affairs in the resort city:

- The new leadership of Kislovodsk inherited a difficult legacy - they did so much outrage! The worst thing is that the historical part of the city was mutilated. It is a crime. Kislovodsk has always been famous as one of the most beautiful, most comfortable, clean cities in the country. It seems that those in power were hawkers, temporary workers who made decisions for their own selfish purposes, and at least the grass wouldn’t grow there. The city administration is trying to correct the situation, but it makes mistakes! There is still a lot to be done. For example, to assign national status to Kislovodsk Park. This will guarantee that no one will cut up another piece of land here or privatize it.

-...Now we will deal with the Narzan baths. We have found an investor who will do the restoration - primarily repairing the roof and facades. We are ready to rent out this building for a symbolic price of one ruble, but on the condition that there will be no honey trade there, but Narzan baths, the pride of Kislovodsk.

21. Main entrance

Soon, city residents and all Russians who were not indifferent to the fate of the city rejoiced at the good news: Vladimir Putin signed a number of instructions regarding the development of the park. The building of the Main Narzan Baths was transferred to the operational management of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “AUIPIK”.

23. Metlakh tiles near the main entrance

Klepinin's masterpiece began to be restored. However, in March 2015, information appeared on the Internet that the design organization carrying out restoration work was extremely negligent in its duties.

Local residents described what was happening like this:

-Restorers smashed the towers of the building with a hammer - these creations of human hands. They said that they would then model them on a 3D printer and then make analogues. What nonsense is this! Have you ever seen a work of art being destroyed and a new copy put up in its place?! What's going on in the heads of these would-be restorers?

24. Lamp

25. South wing, in which the men's department was located

26. Mosaic

The public outcry surrounding the restoration of the Narzan baths aroused great interest in many local and federal media. In official comments to the press, the director of the contracting organization performing restoration work in the building of the Main Narzan Baths states that the hype around the reconstruction is groundless.

- The restoration is carried out using technology and scientific design documentation, which was developed by “Spetsproektrestavratsiya” in Moscow. All parts that are removed from the tower are marked and described. There is accurate stereogrammetry, that is, a clear location of this tower relative to all parts of the parapet. Parts of the tower are carefully removed and taken to a workshop in Kislovodsk. In the future, all parts of the towers will be cast anew and glued together with special cement - they will not differ in size or architecture from the previous ones. Part of the work on the manufacture of tower parts will be carried out in Moscow. People who watched the dismantling from below did not see the main thing: the destruction of the base and parts, rusted fittings. All four towers are almost 90 percent in disrepair and cannot be restored.

According to the state contract, the restoration of the Main Narzan Baths must be completed by October 31, 2016. I continue to monitor the restoration of architectural monuments in Kislovodsk and tell you new facts about its progress!

31. The very towers from which parts are removed for restoration

36. Entrance to the men's part of the baths without fairy stairs

37. Facade of the baths from the Olkhovka River

38. Courtyard

Old photos

The building of the Main Narzan Baths in Kislovodsk, which is a monument of federal significance, is a real decoration of the city. Not only nearby, but in Russia in general, it is difficult to find a building with such architecture, completely unique and combining so many different styles.

The building of the Main Narzan Baths dates back more than a century. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, seeing the heyday of the resort era, surviving wars and retaining its original purpose during the Soviet period, the building was abandoned and fell into disrepair in the early 1990s. From 2015 to 2018 The reconstruction of the building continued and today a modern sanatorium has been opened within its walls, without losing its historical flavor and atmosphere.

Story

The complex of the Main Narzan Baths was erected in Kislovodsk for the 100th anniversary of the city, founded in 1803 by a special rescript from Emperor Alexander I on the construction of a fortress at the source of “sour waters”.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Kislovodsk, as a medical resort city, gained incredible popularity among the Russian aristocracy. Unique natural conditions- clean air, mountains, mild climate and a large number of sunny days - combined with the possibility of healing with mineral waters with high healing properties, provided the resort with a huge influx of vacationers.

A significant improvement in transport links also played a role: at the end of the 19th century, a highway and a railway line from Mineralnye Vody were built, connecting Kislovodsk with central cities Russia.

Thus, due to the increase in the flow of tourists, as well as the growing interest of vacationers in new methods of hydrotherapy, at the beginning of the twentieth century in Kislovodsk there was a need to build a new medical complex equipped with modern equipment.

The construction of the Narzan bath complex began in the very center of the city, on the right bank of the Olkhovka River, on Poplar Alley (now Kurortny Boulevard), next to the Business Dvor, whose workshops were involved in the construction. The place was not chosen by chance: it was there that a small Narzan lake was located.

Andrei Nikolaevich Klepinin was appointed chief architect and construction manager. According to his idea, the building was to be two-story: on the ground floor there would be a lobby, a doctor’s office, locker rooms, two halls (men’s and women’s), baths and swimming pools, and on the second floor there would be massage rooms, saunas, showers of various types and a special Wellenbad massage bath, in which a stream of hot water flowed from a special hole in the wall. Thanks to the architect's engineering solutions, the special location of the baths and the fact that the building was built just below the level mineral spring, Narzan flowed into a special tank on its own.

Construction of the complex began in 1901 and ended only in January 1905. Initially, the complex was called “Carbon dioxide baths of Narzan” and was renamed “Main Narzan baths” only Soviet time. During the Great Patriotic War and the occupation of Kislovodsk, the building of the Narzan baths served as a hospital; the wounded were brought here.

Immediately after the end of the war, on June 29, 1945, a resolution was adopted to resume the reception of resort patients at the Caucasian Mineral Waters. The building was reconstructed in 1949-1950, it was decided to make hydrotherapy a more widespread and accessible form of healing, for this the number of baths themselves was increased to 88. Kurortny Boulevard was renamed Stalin Avenue, and a monument to him was erected opposite the main entrance to the building.

The sanatorium "Main Narzan Baths" was considered an elite hydropathic clinic in the Soviet Union - only scientists, academicians or writers could receive a referral for health improvement here.

The last renovation of the building during the Soviet period was carried out in 1975. In the early 1990s, the bathroom building ceased to be used for its intended purpose and gradually deteriorated and collapsed.

Modernity

A new page in the history of the building began in 2015, when the authorities finally paid attention to the incredibly beautiful structure in the city center, the condition of which, judging by photographs of that time, was close to emergency.

The restoration of the Main Narzan Baths took about three years. On December 19, 2018, a modern spa hotel was opened within the walls of the Narzan baths of Kislovodsk. Today, the sanatorium “Main Narzan Waters” offers a large number of different options for hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, physiotherapy and many other types of wellness.

The area next to the complex has also changed: in 2016, opposite the baths building, on Kurortny Boulevard, a monument to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was erected.

Architecture

The building of the Main Narzan Baths complex amazed with its otherworldly architectural flavor. Eastern, North Indian and Moorish decorative motifs gave the ensemble a resemblance to a castle from oriental tales. The outside of the building was faced with yellow brick and designed in the Hindu-Buddhist style, decorated with stucco molding, cornices, platbands, and various relief elements. On the pediments of the building there are multi-tiered Indian turrets with finials in the shape of lotus flowers.

The sculptural work on the design of the facades of the building was carried out by the sculptor Ludwig Karlovich Shodkiy; it was his ideas that made the appearance of the building so unusual. The unique majolica mosaic from the Abramtsevo ceramic workshop was made by the famous artist Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel.

The northern wing of the building, in which the entrance to the women's section of the baths was located, is richly decorated with a staircase with openwork railings. The southern wing, where the entrance to the men's department was located, received a more restrained design with the absence of a staircase. This solution was applied by the architect due to the need to harmonize the building due to the lowering of the landscape on the north side.

Some art historians have noted the external resemblance of the building of the Main Narzan Baths to the Hindu temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. However, it is worth noting that after the reconstruction this similarity practically disappeared.

The main Narzan Baths in the panorama Google maps(before restoration):

How to get there

The complex of the Main Narzan Baths is located in the very center of Kislovodsk. Therefore, it would be best to include the attraction in walking around the city, which are especially useful in the healing climate.

From the Kislovodsk railway station the attraction can be easily reached on foot, it will take less than 10 minutes.

Route from the Main Narzan Baths to railway station Kislovodsk on Google map maps:

The city bus station is located in the north of the city, at a distance of 6 km from the complex. From the bus station to the Main Narzan Baths you can take minibuses No. 1, 2, 19, 23, 24 or by car.

Coordinates of the Main Narzan baths for the navigator: 43.902880; 42.716360

Route from the Main Narzan Baths to the Kislovodsk bus station on Google maps:

The city's public transport is mainly represented by minibuses. The stop at the attraction is called “Narzan Baths”, you can get here by minibuses No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 103zh.

How to get to Kislovodsk

By plane

The distance from Moscow to Kislovodsk is 1630 km, so tourists most often use air travel. Kislovodsk — small town and it does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is located in Mineralnye Vody, the distance to it is about 60 km. You can get from the airport to the city center by bus, train or taxi.

By train

Direct train service connects Kislovodsk with Moscow, St. Petersburg and many major cities Russia. Travel time from Moscow is approximately 25-30 hours, from St. Petersburg - up to 40 hours. Double-decker train No. 004 follows the Moscow-Kislovodsk route from the Kazansky railway station.

By bus

A bus to Kislovodsk station runs daily from Moscow, departing from Orekhovo metro station. You can also take a bus to nearby cities: Nalchik, Stavropol, Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala.

Video about the restoration of the Narzan Baths building in Kislovodsk:

Meanwhile, the building of the Main Narzan Baths has a history of more than a century. The complex was erected for the 100th anniversary of the Kislovodsk resort: in 1803, Emperor Alexander I, by a special decree, declared Kislovodsk a healing area. The building erected a century later, no doubt, would not have upset the monarch himself: the complex of the Main Narzan Baths amazed visitors with its Indian flavor, fancy turrets and openwork stucco. Oriental decorative elements gave the ensemble lightness and airiness, playfully emphasizing the resort character of the city and its inherent freedom.

The resort theme was not played out by chance - during the period of the appearance of the building of the Main Narzan Baths, Kislovodsk gained incredible popularity. TO end of the 19th century centuries, the resort was one of the most visited places by the Russian aristocracy. Many factors contributed to this. The first and main one is the unique natural conditions: to the purest mountain air and warm weather (the number of sunny days in Kislovodsk is about three hundred per year) numerous underground sources of mineral water were added. Kislovodsk Narzans contain copper, iron, manganese, silver, iodine, bromine, radon, as well as phosphoric and boric acids; this composition is very rare and provides mineral waters with high medicinal properties. Resorts in the Caucasus specialized in the treatment of cardiac diseases, nervous system disorders, metabolic disorders and digestive organs.

Also, the popularization of the resort at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries was facilitated by the concept developed in 1885 by the German doctor M.I. Ertel's method of treatment is a path path - dosed ascents along marked routes. At the leading resort, the new product was immediately put into development. In 1901, local doctor N.N. Oblonsky laid out the first health path route along Mount Tupoy, and after scientific study it began to be widely used at all resorts. This method is also very beneficial for the heart, blood vessels and digestive system.

By the end of the 19th century, the construction of two communication routes between Moscow and Kislovodsk was completed: a highway and a railway line. Of course, this contributed to an increase in the influx of patients. In addition, fashion also had an influence: going to the resort “by train” in those days was considered incredibly prestigious. And only wealthy people could afford this - a one-way ticket to Kislovodsk for one person with modern money cost about 30,000 rubles.

By the end of the 19th century, the number of vacationers in Kislovodsk, compared with the beginning of the century, almost tripled. In addition, the public began to understand the various methods of hydrotherapy and demand the most progressive, improved forms. There was an urgent need for a new building for Narzan baths, equipped with the most modern equipment.

A location was chosen for the complex on the former Poplar Alley (now Kurortny Boulevard), since there was a small Narzan lake there. The design of the future baths was entrusted to civil engineer A.N. Klepinin. He decided that in spirit and architecture a large two-story building would be ideal for Kislovodsk, the lower floor of which would be intended for narzan baths and swimming pools, and the upper floor for hydrotherapeutic procedures. There were supposed to be massage rooms, saunas, fresh showers of various types and a special Wellenbad massage bath, in which a stream of hot water flowed from a special hole in the wall. Moreover, Klepinin thought out the location of the baths in such a way that the narzan would flow into a special tank in the engine room on its own - due to the fact that the building was located just below the level of the main source. Construction of the complex according to Klepinin's project began in 1901 and lasted four years - until January 1905. The complex cost the state 393 thousand royal rubles, which would now be a little more than 400 million rubles.

For the design engineer, this building apparently became the main work in his life. Six years after the grand opening of the complex, Klepinin turned to the director of the KMV with a personal request to add a marble plaque to the façade of the building with the inscription: “Designed and built by engineer A.N. Klepinin. 1901-1903." The wish was fulfilled, and this sign notifies residents and guests of Kislovodsk about the creator of the Narzan baths to this day, and the building he designed received the status of an architectural monument of federal significance.

It is worth noting that in Klepinin’s time the complex had a different name - it was known not as the “main”, but as the “carbon dioxide baths of Narzan”. The building received its solemn name in Soviet times. The party leadership not only decided to continue the Russian tradition of recreation and treatment in Kislovodsk, but to make the resort even more popular and crowded. The complex building was reconstructed, the number of baths increased significantly. After this, the name also changed - the baths officially acquired the status of “main”. The elite were sent here for treatment Soviet Union- academicians, scientists, writers. So, in 1935, Samuil Marshak tried to improve his health with the help of Narzan baths in Kislovodsk. "I am feeling better. I started writing. Now I’m translating English poems, and I’m thinking of writing a children’s book called “Nedralitet,” the poet wrote from there to his son.

During the Great Patriotic War, the development of the city as a resort stopped. Almost all sanatoriums were converted into hospitals; local residents worked as orderlies, nurses and military doctors. Their work was not in vain - after the victory, the city of Kislovodsk was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, for its dedicated work in treating and restoring the health of soldiers.

Kislovodsk literary

For many residents of Russia, the very word “Kislovodsk” evokes extremely romantic and literary associations - mountains, duels, walks, young ladies in dresses and with sun umbrellas. The image, on the one hand, is far-fetched, but on the other, justified to some extent: in terms of the number of famous guests-writers, only Moscow and St. Petersburg can compete with the resorts of Kislovodsk. IN different times People visited here without whom it is impossible to imagine Russian culture. Lermontov, Pushkin, Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy mentioned Kislovodsk in their works and diaries, and Solzhenitsyn was even a native of this city.

But still, Kislovodsk occupied the greatest place in Lermontov’s work, and it is this poet who immediately remembers everyone who comes to these places. Lermontov visited the Caucasus for the first time as a boy of ten years old - he came for treatment with his grandmother - and fell in love with his age. Since then, the Caucasus and romance have been inseparable for the poet. “The Caucasian mountains are sacred to me,” wrote Lermontov. He returned here, however, only 14 years later, in 1838, as part of His Majesty’s Life Guards Hussar Regiment. This was the poet's second visit to the Caucasus; the third and last one began two years later, and the reason for it was extremely dramatic - exile due to a duel, by the personal decision of the king. Impressions from his stay in the Caucasus became the basis for many of Lermontov’s works; among them “Demon”, “Mtsyri” and, of course, “Hero of Our Time”.

Pushkin visited Kislovodsk twice - in 1820 with the family of General Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky (the poet lived in the Kislovodsk fortress) - and in 1829. These were his only two trips to the Caucasus. During his stay in Kislovodsk, Pushkin even visited the mineral baths - however, the complex of the Main Narzan Baths did not exist then, and the poet used the Ermolov ones.

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy visited the Caucasus Mineral water in the summer of 1852 and 1853. However most the future great writer spent time in Pyatigorsk; He went to Kislovodsk on an introductory visit.

Chekhov first came to the Caucasus in 1888 and was stunned. “There are a lot of impressions. If I lived in the Caucasus, I would write fairy tales there. Amazing country! - he wrote in his diary. True, the writer strongly recommended that his friends avoid resort towns“like Kislovodsk.” But at the same time, it was Kislovodsk, according to legend, that inspired Chekhov to write one of his most famous works. In 1896, the writer’s notebook stated: “I arrived in Kislovodsk on August 24.” And immediately below this note is the phrase: “Lady with a pug.”