Caucasian Mineral Waters - widely known resort area Stavropol Territory, which is a unique territory in terms of environmental indicators. The region is located near Elbrus and is famous for its hydromineral resources. Carbon dioxide springs, baths, water and mud springs of the Caucasian Mineral Waters gained popularity already at the beginning of the 18th century, when the study of the healing properties of mineral resources began.

Lake “Proval” on Mount Mashuk (Pyatigorsk)

History of the region's development

Peter I was the first to take an active interest in the region, where he sent one of the leading doctors to study the territory. Later detailed descriptions mineral waters and hot springs of Pyatigorsk were made by order of Alexander I. A special commission of doctors confirmed medicinal properties hydro resources of the region. From that moment on, Caucasian Mineral Waters was elevated to the rank of a resort, which quickly became incredibly popular. At first, the balneological resort was accessible only to the nobility and the military. IN Soviet time the territory began to be more actively filled not only with guests from different parts of the USSR, but also with sick people coming from abroad and simply wanting to relax with health benefits. Too active interest in Mineral Waters naturally caused an increase in the number of industrial facilities and processes of pollution of the territory were launched. In 1992, on the part of B.N. Yeltsin took the initiative to protect unique area and according to the decree of the Ministry of Waters, they were recognized as an environmentally protected resort. The center of the Ministry of Water Resources today is the city of Essentuki. Previously, Pyatigorsk had this status. However, almost all major cities of Minvod are widely known for their exotic landscapes, mountain climate, healing water and mud resources. The uniqueness of Caucasian Mineral Waters lies in the presence of over 30 types of healing mineral waters on the territory of the resort. More than 130 Minvod springs are available for visiting. No other region in the world has such parameters.

(Photo from air.kg)

Due to these features of the region, the range of indications for visiting Minvod is extremely wide. Research scientists at the Research Institute of Balneology in the city of Pyatigorsk have been developing special treatment methods using mineral waters and mud for decades. There is also a plant in Minvody for bottling medicinal liquid with the aim of selling it throughout the country and for import abroad. Every year, 134 sanatoriums of the Ministry of Waters receive up to 700 thousand patients. Good balneotherapeutic equipment puts the sanatoriums on a par with the best European resort and medical facilities.

Features of climate and flora

The mountain-flat area of ​​the Caucasian Mineral Waters is especially rich in forests, dominated by hornbeam and oak species. Among the diversity of vegetation, fruit trees are well represented, including cherry plums and pears, which ripen very quickly in this region. The climate of the territory is predominantly continental. Low Mountain air Acid production and surrounding cities are especially useful for treating respiratory problems as well as a wide range of heart diseases. Particularly good results, according to research by doctors, are observed from the beneficial effects of climate on hypertensive patients and those suffering from atherosclerosis. In Essentuki and Zheleznovodsk, fog and rain are frequent in autumn and winter, and in Kislovodsk almost all year round Stable warm weather persists.

Natural Museum of Mineral Waters

Without exaggeration, Caucasian Mineral Waters is a natural museum of mineral waters. Deposits of healing waters are varied and concentrated in a small area, making them accessible to visitors.

Narzan gallery. Kislovodsk (Photo from kislovodsk.su)

• Kislovodsk deposit Narzan The source is located in Kislovodsk and is carbon dioxide. The composition of the water in it combines magnesium and calcium components and sulfate-hydrocarbonate elements. The three most famous types of narzans are mined from this deposit: sulfate, basic and dolomite. The healing effect of water from the deposit occurs both when drinking and through bathing procedures.
• Essentuki Mineral Waters The waters in this deposit have a salt-alkaline composition: they are rich in sodium, chloride and bicarbonate.
• Pyatigorsk Mineral Waters On the slopes famous mountain Mashuk is the Pyatigorsk field. Five types of mineral waters are produced here, including a rare type of low-carbon liquid with a complex ionic composition.
• Beshtaugorsk radon water deposit Not far from Pyatigorsk, on the Beshtau slope, a rare type of low-mineralized cold water with healing properties is extracted. The radon components of water allow it to be used only for balneological purposes.
• Nagutskie mineral carbonated waters The Nagutskoye deposit is famous for its carbon dioxide sources. The extracted waters are bottled in containers and distributed in more than 10 varieties throughout Russia and abroad.
• Zheleznovodsk mineral waters The deposit was discovered on Mount Zheleznaya. The waters here are predominantly slightly mineralized with a high content of calcium, sodium, sulfates and bicarbonates.
• Batalinsky springs The mineral waters of the Batalinsky deposit are of the bitter-salty type and have a high level of mineralization. Resources are used for laxative purposes.
• Lysogorsk waters The deposit is rich different types mineral waters, including boron types, thermal siliceous varieties.
• Zmeykinsky mineral waters The sources are known for their high content of silicic acid. The water from this deposit is especially good for export and has high healing properties.
• Kumagorsky spring There are 8 mineral springs on the territory of the deposit, which are mainly used in balneology.
• Georgievskie mineral waters The deposit is known for the high content of iodine and bromine in the structure of the produced waters.

Tambukan Lake

The most famous mud spring in the region is Lake Tambukan. At small area facility, it produces impressive volumes of healing mud. The unique composition of the salt lake's mud structures includes a large number of mineral components, sulfides, magnesium, chlorine, potassium ions. Iron sulfide contained in the healing mud of the lake is especially useful. The good bactericidal properties of Tambukan mud make it possible to make dressings on its basis for applying to wounds.

Lake Tambukan (Photo from the site www.na-kmv.ru)

Treatment at Caucasian Mineral Waters

Each region of the Ministry of Waters specializes in the treatment of specific diseases. This is determined by the natural diversity of the area. In Essentuki, the emphasis is on diseases of the digestive system and immune diseases. Patients with metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus are successfully treated here, and also undergo post-operative recovery. In Pyatigorsk they treat mainly nervous diseases, skin problems and endocrine disorders. Heart diseases and blood diseases are the profile of Kislovodsk institutions. This area also deals with issues of neuroses and respiratory problems. They go to Zheleznovodsk to eliminate digestive diseases and kidney problems. Doctors in the region have serious experience in treating urolithiasis. It is recommended to come to Mineralnye Vody for preventive purposes. The healing effect is achieved not only by taking mineral waters, therapeutic baths and mud procedures, but also simply by staying in an ecologically clean area with amazing climatic features and amazingly beautiful landscapes.

Tatiana Solomatina

What attracts tourists to the Caucasian Mineral Waters region?

Good afternoon dear friends!

Today I’m starting a series of articles about wonderful place for recreation and treatment - the Caucasian Mineral Waters region.

In the first publication we will get to know a little about this unique resort. I will talk about the location and climate, the cities of this region and natural mineral springs. After reading to the end, you will find out why a large number of people come here for vacation and treatment regularly, and perhaps you, too, will have a desire to go to this wonderful place.

The resort is very interesting, I visit it regularly, so a lot of information has accumulated, I am planning a series of articles, the first one is already in front of you, read and share your impressions in the comments, I will be glad to hear from you.

Caucasian Mineral Waters is an excellent choice for recreation and treatment, due to its unique location, mild climate, beautiful surrounding nature and developed infrastructure.

But the most important thing that attracts numerous guests to the region are the healing springs, the water from which is widely and successfully used to treat many diseases. By staying here you will not only relax, but also significantly strengthen your body.

This region is located in the Stavropol Territory on the northern slope Caucasus Mountains. The resort towns are located close to each other, which allows you to travel around them all and compile general impression about this place.

The natural landscape is very diverse, small hills, densely covered with unique broad-leaved forests, alternate with the steppe part, which in the summer pleases the eye with lush grass and bright wildflowers.

Due to the absence of serious industrial production, the air here is crystal clear and quiet.

Climate

This region has a favorable climate that is well suited for climatotherapy. Spa therapists use it as a healing factor.

It's a moderate winter here, average temperature–4 degrees, comfortable summer – +22 degrees.

Due to the diversity of the terrain, the climate of all cities of Caucasian Mineral Waters differs slightly. This depends on the altitude above sea level, protection by mountains, and proximity to the steppes.

Southern resort – Kislovodsk, the most sunny city KMV, accordingly, the air temperature here is usually several degrees higher than in other cities in the region.

Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk and Essentuki are located slightly lower than Kislovodsk, but they are also warm and have very little precipitation. And small mountains - Mashuk, Beshtau, Zheleznaya - often become a barrier from strong steppe winds.

Main resorts of the CMS

Caucasian Mineral Waters is a fairly large region, I will introduce you to the main resorts, which can safely be classified as Zheleznovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk. You can read more about each of them in separate materials, links to which will be at the end of each description.

Very cozy small town, located at the foot of Mount Zheleznaya. The resort is simply surrounded by greenery, and the magnificent park with centuries-old trees and winding paths is simply conducive to leisurely walks and contemplation beautiful nature around.

The city is well planned and the resort infrastructure is located separately from residential area. Almost all sanatoriums were built within walking distance to natural springs, which is important for resort guests. This is the smallest town in the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, but it is also rich in mineral waters.

The resort specializes in the treatment of the genitourinary system, digestive organs, metabolic disorders and other related diseases.

The main component of the treatment is drinking mineral water Slavyanovskaya and Smirnovskaya, the pump rooms of which are located in the Resort Park. Also widely used in treatment is the silt mud of the Tambukan and Lysogorsk lakes, which is rich in iron, iodine, zinc and silver.

You can find out more about the resort.

Pyatigorsk is big resort town, located just 10 minutes drive from Zheleznovodsk at the foot of Mount Mashuk. The resort fits picturesquely into the mountain landscape, from Mount Mashuk, which can be climbed either by cable car or on foot, this is clearly visible.

There are many health resorts here that successfully treat the musculoskeletal system, joints, and help with gynecological diseases. As in the entire region, the main factor in healing is drinking water therapy, climatic therapy, and mud therapy.

I wrote even more information about the resort.

The city is located a 30-minute drive from Mineralnye Vody airport. The resort is quite small, located on the flat part of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, but also very green.

Here are the well-known springs - “Essentuki”. This mineral water is good for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, this is the main direction of treatment in local sanatoriums.

Continue reading about the resort.

Kislovodsk

The most popular resort in the Caucasian Mineral Waters region. Located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level in a green valley surrounded by the Caucasus Range.

Very warm, sunny and cozy city, despite the constant abundance of guests, there is no feeling of crowding or crowding.

The luxurious park, almost 1000 hectares, which was completely created by people just 200 years ago, now occupies a dominant role in the architecture of the city.

About a third sanatoriums of the KMV are located in Kislovodsk. Mineral water "Narzan" helps in the treatment of people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract. Patients who have suffered a heart attack are successfully rehabilitated here. The resort specializes in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

This is interesting

The bulk of guests of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region come here for rehabilitation and treatment. However, these places are rich not only in their healing factors. Of course, there is no sea here, but there is clean air and magnificent mountain scenery that can brighten up anyone’s vacation.

It is not for nothing that many years ago, famous great people loved to come here. A. S. Pushkin visited the KMS twice, M. Yu. Lermontov lived here for a long time and many of his works are dedicated to these places. The list of great people is quite long, they all admired the amazing nature and hospitality local population.

Now Caucasian Mineral Waters is a well-developed resort, which is interesting not only in terms of treatment, there is something to see here, many significant historical attractions and amazingly beautiful natural places.

Full tourist information I wrote about the region in the article. Check out another review of the sanatorium.

Perhaps you are having difficulty choosing a resort, write to me by email, I will try to help. Read more about cooperation. If you liked the article, share it with your friends on social networks. Subscribe to blog updates, new readers are always welcome. In the meantime, I say goodbye to you for a moment.

Tatiana Solomatina

Medicinal mineral waters are natural waters that contain high concentrations of certain mineral (less often organic) components and gases and (or) have some physical properties (radioactivity, environmental reaction, etc.), due to which these waters have an effect on the body human therapeutic effect to one degree or another, which differs from the effect of “fresh” water- definition by V.V. Ivanov and A. Nevraev.

The concept of “mineral water” is most generally formulated in English legislation. Mineral water is water that is found in a mountain range and is extracted for human consumption.

Natural mineral waters are the main asset mountain region- Caucasian Mineral Waters. In the KMS region, 14 deposits of mineral waters of various types are concentrated (Kislovodskoye, Essentukskoye, Beshtaugorskoye, Pyatigorskoye, Zheleznovodskoye, Zmeykinskoye, Batalinskoye, Lysogorskoye, Kumagorskoye, Nagutskoye, Kalaborskoye, Georgievskoye in Stavropol region, as well as Kumskoye and Verkhnepodkumskoye in Karachay-Cherkessia)

Attractions

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At the junction of the Stavropol Upland and the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range, almost at an equal distance from the Black and Caspian Seas, five cities are located, forming a polycentric agglomeration - “Caucasian Mineral Waters”. The history of this exceptional place as a popular balneotherapeutic resort dates back to the 19th century, namely in 1803, when Alexander I signed a rescript “On recognition of the national significance of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and the need for their construction.” Since then, large-scale development of the area began, in particular, the study of its main wealth - mineral springs, of which there are more than 130! There are also large deposits of healing mud on the territory of the KMS. The advantages of the resort, which is considered one of the most environmentally friendly and hospitable regions of Russia, also include a mild climate with big amount sunny days, mountain air and incredibly beautiful landscapes.

The numerous advantages of the CMS were appreciated by famous figures in politics, science, culture and art, with whose names a number of monuments and historical places, which, together with natural splendor, make up the appearance of famous resort cities.

Museum, Landmark

A kind of gateway to the “Forge of Health” is the city of Mineralnye Vody, located at the foot of Mount Zmeyka, in the valley of the Kuma River. Today it is, first of all, a transport hub and transit point: from here tourists, as a rule, go to the mineral water resorts - Zheleznovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk. This role is due to the historical past of the city, which arose in 1878 as a village at the Rostovo-Vladikavkazskaya junction station railway. The former village of Sultanovsky received city status in 1921. And in 1925, an air station was opened here, making Minvody one of the first “winged” cities Soviet Union. Modern international Airport“Mineral Waters” appeared in the 60s. XX century, in the early 2010s it was reconstructed and is now largest airport in the south of the country.

Another “transport” attraction is the building of the Minvod station, which is an example of Soviet neoclassicism. It should be noted that, in general, the architectural appearance of Minvod is made up of buildings from the post-war period: the city was seriously damaged during the fascist occupation. The main city temple - the Intercession Cathedral - was built already in 1997.

The Mineralovodsk Local Lore Museum tells about the history, culture, and natural wealth of the region. It will be interesting to visit the house-museum of Alexei Bibik, a proletarian writer who lived in Minvody until he was 99 years old. This amazing example of longevity is not the only one in the region with incredibly healthy conditions.

The picturesque surroundings of the city were no exception for the location of a wonderful health resort - the Mineralnye Vody sanatorium, on the territory of which there is a spring with a drinking pump room.

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Sight

Name oldest resort Kavminvod was given by the nearby five-domed Beshtau Mountain - the highest elevation in the region. The city is located at the foot of another mountain - Mashuk, on the southwestern and southern slopes of the Stavropol Upland. Within the boundaries of Pyatigorsk there are also mountains Dubrovka, Piket, Post and others. Healing waters, the amazing beauty of mountains and valleys, a mild climate, and a large number of historical attractions make up the specifics of Pyatigorsk tourism. But first things first.

Pyatigorsk, first of all, is famous for its exceptional variety of mineral springs, the first of which were explored back in the 90s of the 18th century. Since 1803, medical institutions began to appear here, and new sources began to open. Thus, gradually the former military fortification in the valley of Mount Mashuk turned into a first-class Russian health resort. Today in Pyatigorsk there are about 50 wells and mineral springs with different types healing water, more than 20 of them are actively used for medical purposes. Such water wealth in combination with the healing mud of Lake Tambukan, used in Pyatigorsk sanatorium complexes, allow us to classify the city as one of the most effective multi-profile resorts in modern Russia.

Sanatoriums in Pyatigorsk are adjacent to numerous parks, museums and historical and architectural monuments. In the center of the oldest city park “Tsvetnik” (before the revolution - “Nikolaevsky”), planned back in 1828, there is the Lermontov Gallery - an interesting building of the early 20th century and a concert and exhibition complex that is still operating. From the Flower Garden you can climb a wide stone staircase to another historical building- Academic (Elizabethan) gallery, with observation deck which offers a magnificent panorama of the city and its surroundings.

A number of attractions in Pyatigorsk are inextricably linked with the name of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov. Among the must-see places are Lermontov's House, where one of the departments of the State Museum-Reserve M.Yu. Lermontov; the place of Lermontov's duel with Major N.S. Martynov; Diana's Grotto, where the poet visited more than once; Lermontov's grotto, depicted by him in the novel “A Hero of Our Time.” Another cult place of Pyatigorsk, immortalized in Russian literature, was Proval - karst cave with an underground lake. It was here that the character of “The Twelve Chairs”, Ostap Bender, managed to earn money by charging a fee for visiting the legendary attraction. Today, at the entrance to Proval you can see a modern bronze sculpture of the “great schemer”. And the monument to the main hero of Pyatigorsk - Lermontov - has been decorating the city since 1889. Numerous monuments and ancient buildings are surrounded by dense greenery of centuries-old trees and the mesmerizing beauty of mountain landscapes.

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Sight

Among the four resorts of Kavminvod, the first place in terms of the number of health resorts is unconditionally occupied by cozy and sunny Kislovodsk, whose main asset is the world famous Narzan. Like Pyatigorsk, the city arose from a military fortress and village. Its founders and first inhabitants were Russian soldiers. The activities of General A.P. were of particular importance in the development of the city. Ermolov, on whose orders the creation of the famous Resort Park, once the largest park in Europe by area, began.

In the second half XIX century Kislovodsk was already a popular, comfortable resort, attracting representatives of famous merchant and noble families. Today, like more than a century and a half ago, numerous people who want to improve their health gather at the Narzan Gallery, built in the Gothic style. Healing Narzan is not only drunk, but also used for bathing. The “Eastern” building of the Main Narzan Baths, erected at the very beginning of the last century, is one of most interesting buildings cities.

In total, there are more than a hundred architectural monuments and historical attractions in Kislovodsk. So a holiday here promises to be not only useful, but also educational. You should definitely visit the ancient theater and concert hall named after. V. Safonov (Philharmonic building), where Sergei Rachmaninov gave a concert, Fyodor Chaliapin sang. The great artist of the world opera theater not only toured in Kislovodsk, but rented a mansion here for his family. IN historical building, known as Chaliapin's Dacha, today houses a literary and musical museum dedicated to the legendary singer.

Walks along the winding streets of the center of Kislovodsk with its original ancient buildings can be alternated with longer routes that involve gradual ascents into the mountains. Perfect for health walking (health walking) Resort Park, where six different routes are laid. A sea of ​​greenery and the purest rarefied air will make it easy to cover more than one kilometer and at the same time get great pleasure.

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Sight

There are more than one legend about the origin of the city and toponym Essentuki; there are also many scientific points of view on this issue. According to the most common of them, the name comes from the name of Khan Essentuga, the ruler of a large Golden Horde settlement located not far from modern city. But from the Karachay language “essen bale” is translated as “living hair”. The explanation for this is the beautiful legend about the healing of a boy, the son of a rich prince, on whose head, after bathing in a local spring, beautiful curls grew.

Today, mineral waters bearing the same name as the famous balneological resort town are used to treat many ailments. The richest springs in terms of water volume and mineral composition are “Essentuki-4” and “Essentuki-17”. There are other sources, each of which has its own medicinal properties.

The pride of Essentuki is the Mud Bath named after. ON THE. Semashko is the largest establishment of its kind in Europe. The grandiose complex in the spirit of neoclassicism was erected in 1913–1915. For more than a hundred years, procedures have been carried out here with the healing mud of Lake Tambukan. Another large-scale attraction of the city is the largest drinking gallery on the European continent, “Pyatysyachnik”, which can accommodate up to 5,200 vacationers per shift. It is impossible not to mention the Zander Institute of Mechanotherapy, built in late XIX century. The building of unusual architecture housed an institution no less unusual for its time - the prototype of a modern fitness center, which housed “simulators” for therapeutic exercises developed by the Swedish physiotherapist Gustav Zander.

At the foot of Mount Zheleznaya and partly on its eastern slopes is located the smallest of the CMV cities - Zheleznovodsk. The area of ​​its territory is only 93 square meters. km, which in no way detracts from the advantages of the resort, which is also distinguished by its wealth of mineral springs and the presence of interesting historical and natural monuments.

The first two hot springs on the slope of Mount Zheleznaya were discovered in 1810 by the outstanding Russian doctor Fyodor Gaaz. In the same year, a health resort with a bathhouse was established. To date, more than 20 springs come to the surface in Zheleznovodsk. The oldest of them - the Lermontov spring - is still functioning, and is also one of the city’s attractions: the great Russian poet visited here too.

Mud therapy has been practiced in Zheleznovodsk for centuries. For medical procedures, in 1893, a building was erected in the Moorish style - the Baths, named after the Russian statesman, Minister of State Property M.N. Ostrovsky.

By analogy with the Lermontov Gallery in Pyatigorsk, in the medical park of Zheleznovodsk there is the Pushkin Gallery - an original structure made of iron and glass, created for holding concerts and exhibitions. Not far from the gallery there is another famous monument of the city - the Emir's Palace, which reproduces the features of Central Asian architecture. Today, the former residence of the Emir of Bukhara is occupied by a sanatorium.

The resort features amazing picturesque nature: The city, located in the valley of the Dzhemuk and Kuchuk rivers, is surrounded by mountains and natural forest. From the foot of Mount Zheleznaya - the main natural attraction of Zheleznovodsk - a path route over 3 km long has been laid. From the top of the mountain, at an altitude of 853 m above sea level, there is a magnificent view of the entire surroundings of the Caucasian Mineral Waters.

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Caucasian Mineral Waters (Kavminvody, KMV) - a group of resorts federal significance in the Stavropol Territory, which includes the resort towns of Zheleznovodsk, Essentuki, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, and of course, the city of Mineralnye Vody itself. KMS is a specially protected ecological resort region Russian Federation. The region is located in the south of the European part of Russia, almost at the same distance from the Black and Caspian Seas.

In terms of diversity of mineral waters, the Caucasian Mineral Waters region has no equal not only in Russia, but throughout the world. Over 130 sources of mineral waters of 30 types have been identified on the territory of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. By Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of January 17, 2006 No. 14, the cities of Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk were given the status of resort cities of federal significance. Every year, more than 700 thousand people are treated and relax at the resorts of Caucasian Mineral Waters.

City of Mineralnye Vody

The city of Mineralnye Vody is a small cozy town in the Stavropol Territory. Despite the name, in fact administrative center There are no healing springs in the Mineralovodsk District; they are all located in neighboring Zheleznovodsk, Lermontov, Pyatigorsk, Essentuki and Kislovodsk. The city serves as a kind of gateway, annually allowing hundreds of thousands of tourists to the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. It is here that the largest transport hub in the region is located - an international airport, a railway interchange and a federal highway.

The climate of the city is relatively dry; moist air masses from the Black Sea do not reach here; they are delayed by the Main Caucasus Range. The city of Mineralnye Vody is located mainly in the steppe zone. The magmatic mountain Snake is considered one of the most interesting natural attractions. It attracts tourists not only with its beautiful mountain landscapes and unique flora and fauna. On the slopes there are several holy springs and monuments of the Great Patriotic War, as well as adits and quarries. You can often meet amateurs active rest With climbing equipment. There are several temples and cathedrals in Mineralnye Vody that will be of interest to believers and those who want to get acquainted with the history, culture and architecture of the city. The main religious attraction is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among its shrines are the relics of St. Theodosius of the Caucasus, the patron saint of these places.

Kislovodsk

Do you want to get to the “city of 365 sunny days a year”? Then go to Kislovodsk. This is a surprisingly sunny city, surrounded by the picturesque slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, which protect it from strong winds. The famous source of acidic mineral water “Narzan” is located here. Hence the “sour” name of the city - Kislovodsk. It’s worth coming to Kislovodsk just for the resort park alone! This is not just a park, it's a whole amazing planet with beautiful rocks, bubbling waterfalls, green meadows and countless all kinds of plants and animals. The uniqueness of Kislovodsk lies not only in its healing mineral springs and beautiful park areas.

At one time, the most talented people who glorified our country rested and worked here: Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Mayakovsky, Gorky, Chaliapin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Glinka, Rachmaninov and others. This is probably why the culture here is no worse developed than in St. Petersburg.

Mount Ring is favorite place tourists. It received this name due to the hole that was formed in it by the winds. A magnificent panorama of Kislovodsk opens from the mountain. No less popular are the Honey Falls in the Alikonovsky Gorge. The waterfalls received such a tasty name thanks to the honey-bearing herbs that bloom all summer in this valley. And old-timers say that the main contribution to the sweet name of the waterfalls was made by hardworking bees, who opened their “factory” for producing honey right in the mountain crevices. The famous Lermontov Rock is located in Kislovodsk. At its top there is a platform that ends in a steep cliff. It was this site that was the site of Pechorin’s duel with Grushnitsky in the famous “Hero of Our Time.” I believe you have no doubts left and you will definitely visit this wonderful city!

Pyatigorsk

Most Big City– resort of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region – Pyatigorsk. It was founded after Alexander I signed the famous rescript in 1803. Pyatigorsk lies at the foot of Mount Mashuk at an altitude of 520 meters above sea level. The city is the oldest Russian balneological resort. The emergence of the city of Pyatigorsk is, in its own way, a commercial project. High society traveled abroad year after year, taking a lot of money out of the country. As soon as the Caucasian springs were recognized as healing, it was decided to found a balneological resort on Russian territory, and this project was successfully implemented.

It is best to go on your first trip to Pyatigorsk by tram. Not for the sake of economy, of course, but because the Pyatigorsk tram is an attraction in itself! This is the first electric tram on the territory of modern Russia. Pyatigorsk is a treasure trove of attractions that will not leave you indifferent.

One of them is “Lermontov’s House”. This is not even just one house, this is a whole block of ancient, early 19th century buildings, “mothballed” in time and perfectly preserved to this day. Looking at them, you can imagine what Pyatigorsk looked like almost 200 years ago. In one of these same houses under a thatched roof, on the estate of Major Chilaev, Mikhail Lermontov settled in 1841. In fact, the poet lived in “Lermontov’s house” for only two months - the last of his life. You can honor the memory of the poet by visiting the place of his duel, located on the opposite slope of Mashuk. The monument to Lermontov was erected entirely with public money - it was collected by subscription over several years. The next attraction is the Aeolian Harp gazebo. This is a stone gazebo in antique style on a steep, rocky ledge of Mashuk. At all times, troop observation posts were located on this site, since the approaches to Pyatigorsk are clearly visible from here. Its builders were the architects brothers Giuseppe and Giovanni Bernardazzi.

The location turned out to be so successful, and the views of the city and its surroundings from it were so charming that this modest-sized gazebo constantly attracted a lot of visitors. The gazebo is named after the ancient Greek god Aeolus, the lord of the winds. Another outstanding place is the building of the Pirogov Baths hospital, which was built in 1914 on the site of a wooden barracks soldier’s hospital. The outstanding Russian surgeon Nikolai Pirogov demonstrated to doctors of the Caucasian Corps the method of using ether anesthesia for pain relief during surgery in the field. It was in the Caucasus that for the first time in the history of medicine, Nikolai Pirogov began to operate on the wounded with ether anesthesia in the field. The hospital changed its name three times. In Pyatigorsk there is also great amount places worth visiting. I hope you found it interesting and will definitely want to see them for yourself.

Essentuki

In the steppe valley of the Podkumok River is located the world-famous balneological resort of Essentuki. This is the youngest among the resorts of Caucasian Mineral Waters. Nature has generously endowed this land with amazing healing springs of mineral water that cure diseases of the digestive system, endocrine system, gynecological diseases, diseases of the nervous system, and musculoskeletal organs. Thousands of people come here to improve their health and enjoy the beauty of this land. The waters of the healing salt-alkaline springs “Essentuki-4” and “Essentuki-17” are used for drinking treatment, baths, inhalations, and irrigations. Here they also heal with the help of sulfide silt mud of Lake Tambukan.

Among the most beautiful buildings city ​​- Upper mineral baths, made in the Russian Empire style with Baroque elements. The building of the mud baths is also a real architectural monument. It is decorated with massive columns, sculptures of ancient gods of healing and lions, and beautiful bas-reliefs. The inside of the mud bath is spacious, light, and also full of decorations and mythological sculptures.

The mechanotherapy building, now the Zander Institute, is more than a century old. A beautiful, light, elegant brown-pink building with small turrets and domes on the roof, with wooden carvings and a huge vase above the main entrance - just a real fairy-tale tower. One more interesting place Essentukov is a three-story former dacha of I. G. Zimin in the Art Nouveau style. Its facade is adjacent to turrets of 2 and 4 floors. Many windows of different sizes and a warm light yellow color give the massive structure a very welcoming appearance.

You can also see the dacha-museum of the famous surgeon Razumovsky, the estate of the Itinerant artist Nikolai Yaroshenko and the dacha of Fyodor Chaliapin. As you can see, you won’t be bored here! On this amazing, friendly land you can improve your health, recharge with vivacity, energy and new impressions, as well as simply relax in the greenery and flowers of the most wonderful parks.

Zheleznovodsk

Zheleznovodsk is the smallest of the listed resorts. There are no other reasons to diminish his dignity. On the contrary, Zheleznovodsk is unique in many respects, since it is a well-known balneological resort of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, located at the foot of Mount Zheleznaya, at an altitude of 570-650 m above sea level, in the valley of the small rivers Dzhamuk and Kuchuk. On the territory of the resort there are over 20 carbon dioxide sulfate-hydrocarbonate calcium-sodium mineral springs (Slavyanovsky, Smirnovsky), which are actively used in the treatment of diseases associated with the digestive and genitourinary systems.

Zheleznovodsk is an ideal resort for those who suffer from kidney and urinary tract diseases; This is the resort's specialization - the main treatment profile. More precisely, one of them. The main treatment profiles of the Zheleznovodsk resort include urological diseases and diseases of the nervous system. Associated profiles include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders, ENT diseases, gynecological, pulmonological and dermatological. In addition, in Zheleznovodsk there are several sanatoriums where they treat diabetes mellitus, but - pay attention! - only at an early stage, when sugar-lowering drugs are not yet needed.

They are treated in Zheleznovodsk, of course. mineral water. It is used for oral administration, inhalation, baths and other water procedures. Into bottles local waters They are also bottled - they are produced under the brands “Smirnovskaya” and “Slavyanovskaya”, according to the names of the sources. These mineral waters are very popular and are even exported, but few people know that they are bottled in Zheleznovodsk. The Smirnovsky spring is named after Dr. Semyon Alekseevich Smirnov, chairman of the Russian Balneological Society: he cleared this spring, which has long been known local residents, and studied its properties. Now a fairly large pump room has been erected above the Smirnovsky spring. The Slavyanovsky spring bears the name of its discoverer, the outstanding hydrologist and mining engineer Nikolai Nikolaevich Slavyanov. Above Slavyanovsky there is also a pump room in a classical style.

The oldest source of Zheleznovodsk is Lermontovsky. It was opened in 1810 by Dr. Fyodor Petrovich Gaaz, and the history of the city began with this event. Lermontov actually came to this source, which was still practically undeveloped. As for Dr. Haas, Zheleznovodsk owes him not just “a lot” - without Haas the resort would not exist.

Zheleznovodsk also owes its name, which is not very romantic and resort-like, to Haass, or more precisely, to one of his misconceptions. The reddish-rusty sediment that the doctor noticed around the springs was attributed to the presence of a high concentration of iron in the water. In fact, this is a mistake, and there is relatively little hardware here. But the name stuck, and darling resort town with unique “healing factors” was left with a name that evokes thoughts more about a mine in the Urals than about rest and treatment. Not only the waters and the city became iron, but also the mountain on the slopes of which Zheleznovodsk stands.

It is here that the only natural forest park in the Caucasian Mineral Waters is located, in which plants of the steppe, forest and subalpine zones grow. The climate in Zheleznovodsk is mountain-steppe, moderately dry. Clean ionized air and dense oak, hornbeam and beech forests protect this resort from exhausting summer heat. There are many active and excursion routes introducing the unique sights of the Caucasus.