Kislovodsk, attractions: parks, waterfalls, museums, boarding houses, sanatoriums and temples

In this article we will tell you about the wonderful Russian city of Kislovodsk. It is the second largest resort of our country after Sochi. But, strangely enough, quite a few tourists, even in high season, come to Kislovodsk. Sights, whose photos are replicated on postcards and posters, few Russians saw with their own eyes. Probably, the reason for this sad tendency is that Kislovodsk does not stand on the Black Sea coast, as Sochi. But not one thalassotherapy is alive man. In addition to the famous narzan, Kislovodsk has much to conquer the hearts of the city's guests. It is not only a balneological resort, but also a climatic health resort.

Location:

There is a resort in the region of Caucasian Mineral Waters. It is located in the very south of the Stavropol Territory, on the border with Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Cherkessia. Kislovodsk is separated by 64 km from Mineralnye Vody. Another kilometer more - and now the peak Elbrus. The city is conveniently located in the intermontane valley at an altitude of 800-1050 meters above sea level. The elevation of the terrain implies that even in the summer months you will not feel the oppressive heat in the streets of Kislovodsk. But in the winter here you can buy a bronze mountain tan. Therefore, lovers of rest, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and shining glaciers, take Kislovodsk. Attractions, parks and museums of the city are surrounded by majestic peaks of the Caucasian mountain range. The rivers Olkhovka and Berezovka, flowing into Podkumok, border the resort on three sides.

How to get there

Unfortunately, there is no airport in Kislovodsk . Stavropol, the capital of the region, is too far away - in 234 kilometers. If you plan to fly by plane, the nearest civil airport is in Mineralnye Vody. On route numbers Nos. 10 and 11 or a taxi, you should get to the railway station of this city, and then get on the train. Taking advantage of passing trains to Vladikavkaz or Nalchik, you can get to Kislovodsk. Attractions of this city-health center will meet you right on the station square. One of them - the Philharmonic, whose building was built in 1898. To Kislovodsk from Mineralny Vody go and buses with minibuses (travel time - about two hours). And if you plan to come to the resort on your own motor transport, your way from Moscow will run along the main highways M4 and M6. The capital is separated from the famous mountain resort 1612 km.

Climate and natural attractions of Kislovodsk

Thanks to its convenient location in the intermontane plain, this area boasts unique weather features. There are 300 clear days in the year. Such cloudless weather is greatly promoted by the high mountains of the Caucasian Range, which close the city from wet, rain-making trade winds. At the same time, the considerable elevation of the resort above sea level causes the establishment of an alpine climate. In winter, the city is compared with the Swiss Davos (by the amount of snow and sun, and not by the level of service). In summer and autumn, the Russian resort is similar in climate characteristics to the Italian Merano. The sun, windless weather, crystal mountain air and healing water of Narzan glorified Kislovodsk. Sanatoriums took their first vacationers before the foundation of the city itself - in 1798.

History

Archaeological excavations give reason to believe that this valley was inhabited seven thousand years ago. In the early Middle Ages, the Alans lived here. Scientists find traces of settlements and necropolises near Kislovodsk. Kislovodsk itself, whose attractions are very numerous, was formed in 1803, when the Russian Emperor Alexander I decided to seize and annex the North Caucasus. He issued a decree on the construction of military fortresses to protect the rights of the Russian population from the encroachment of local peoples. One of such outposts was the citadel of Sour Waters. Its name was obtained because of Narzan, which tastes really "sour". In 1812 the fortress was refurbished according to the last word of the fortification technique of that time. Retired soldiers and officers settled with their families at the foot of the citadel. They formed their homes posad. But the status of the city was acquired only in 1903.

Citadel

The fortress and the local history museum located in it are the most famous sights of Kislovodsk. From the fortification of 1803 preserved part of the wall with windows and loopholes and tower. But it is reliably known that the citadel, towering on a rock between the rivers Beryozovka and Olkhovka, included five bristling bastions that surrounded a deep moat. Inside the powerful walls there were barracks, a kitchen, a stables, an arsenal and an infirmary. There was also a way to retreat - a secret underground passage. The fortress of the 1812 model was mentioned in the Princess Mary of Lermontov. From this building was preserved more: the gate, the corner tower, partly the walls. In 1965, in this sample of Russian military architecture of the XIX century, the Museum of Local History was opened, which already collected 60,000 exhibits in its collection. The address of the fortress is Mira Avenue, 11.

What treats narzan?

Yes, almost everything. Allergies, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, gynecological diseases, urology. Coupled with the medical terrenkur (walking in the area with the calculated slope and duration), hydrocarbonate and sulphate narzan has a beneficial effect on the well-being of people with cardiovascular ailments, respiratory problems. Baths soothe nerves, treat skin diseases. Yes, and just drink sour water will not hurt. This explains the popularity of Kislovodsk among those who want to improve their health. In this resort is concentrated more than a third of all health resorts in the region. There are many sources in Kislovodsk, water of different temperatures. What exactly to take and in what doses, the doctor will tell in any medical institution.

Sanatoriums and boarding houses in Kislovodsk

The most widely known was the spa resort of the curative water - narzan. In the beginning, it was used only externally. In 1812, public baths were built-a one-story building that was later demolished. But still, something from the ancient resort of Sour Waters remains - the source Bogatyrsky has not dried up, and they continue to use it. In 1903, the main narzan baths appeared. Why this name? After all, under the majority of the territory of Kislovodsk at a depth of six meters lies a river of solid narzan. The main baths - the main health resort of the city - were built by architect Klepinin. They still work. In Kislovodsk, in addition to 39 sanatoriums, there are also eight boarding houses. They can not only receive medical treatment, but also simply relax, making excursions around the city and its environs. Pensions of Kislovodsk are designed for tourists of different levels of income. They offer both standard rooms and two-level suites. And in order to maximize your body to normal, you can buy a coursework in a sanatorium.

Flower attractions of Kislovodsk

At the resort, everything should be beautiful and aesthetic, to please the holidaymakers. And the local authorities of Kislovodsk have always adhered to this principle. The first park of the city was laid by the soldiers of the fortress, in 1823. The initiator of his creation was the commandant of the citadel - General Ermolov. On his orders, the soldiers planted trees and arranged the banks of the Olkhovka River. Later, new authorities mastered new territories, built collonades, openwork bridges and pavilions. Now the parks of Kislovodsk are a real decoration of the city. Some of the names are: "Valley of Roses", "Silver Stream". In the resort park is the lower station of the cable-pendulum road (near the pavilion of the Temple of Air). Climbing up to the Little Saddle (1325 m above the sea level), you can admire the wonderful view of the city, the valley and towering directly opposite Mount Elbrus.

Interesting sights of the city

It's a pleasure to wander around the historical part of Kislovodsk. There are many interesting houses in the architectural plan. Especially this is famous Resort Blvd. Every building here is a perfect example of Russian Romanticism or French Neo-Gothic. And this is not surprising: after all, noblemen came to Kislovodsk to rest, many of them had dachas here. The building of Narzan baths looks like a palace from the fairy tale "1000 and 1 night". Also you need to pay attention to the Cascade ladder and the bridge "Lady's whim". For the inquisitive tourists, the museums of Kislovodsk open their doors hospitably: the historical and regional studies (in the citadel) mentioned already, the history of astronautics, theatrical and musical culture. It should be remembered that along the streets of the city there were such outstanding people as A.S. Pushkin, M. Yu. Lermontov, A. P. Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, M. I. Glinka, Isadora Duncan, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov and others. In Kislovodsk there is the so-called "Chaliapin's Dacha" and the museum-estate of N. A. Yaroshenko, a Russian artist.

Religious buildings

Unfortunately, the era of Soviet cultural enlightenment has especially manifested itself in the region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. In the thirties of last century, all the temples of Kislovodsk were destroyed. But now it was possible to restore the St. Nicholas Church. The date of its initial construction falls on 1888. After 120 years, in 2008, it was again covered. Now there is the main parish with a sonorous name "Kavminvodskoe Deanery". This Christian temple is located near the old citadel. Once he was surrounded by a cemetery. But currently there is only one grave in its fence. Under a beautiful slab of black marble, the great Russian artist NA Yaroshenko is buried. Literally a couple of dozen meters separates the grave from the former home of Nikolai Alexandrovich, the "White Villa", which is also a landmark of the city.

Theaters of Kislovodsk

We have already mentioned the Philharmonic, where even now they give concerts. The building of this temple of culture was built in 1895 in the style of French Boz-Art. The abundance of winged cupids and moldings distinguishes the Philharmonic from other buildings. You can call the theater and the so-called "Chaliapin's dacha". Why is the name of this building given in quotes? Because the dacha itself, built in the style of Art Nouveau, belonged to a certain singer Semenov, and the legendary Chaliapin only stopped here when he came to rest in Kislovodsk. But it is known that he gave concerts from the veranda of this house. In the interior, which remained unchanged, there are paintings of K. Korovin and fireplaces made according to the sketches of Roerich. Currently, on Saturdays, "Shalyapin's Dacha" hosts "theater Saturdays".

Natural beauties of Kislovodsk

In addition to narzan and a climate that is beneficial for the organism, the city can boast of amazing nature. It is enough to just go out into the street, as the eye pleases the suite of Caucasian peaks. Near the city there is a noisy river Alikonovka. It forms a lake-dam, in which you can swim in the summer months. And the river is famous for the fact that it formed Cretaceous and sandstone rocks of the most bizarre outlines. The most famous of them is "The Castle of Love and Deceit". Not far from it are streamed with five foam streams Honey waterfalls of Kislovodsk. The height of the largest of them is 18 meters. A little further beyond is the famous mountain Ring. It got its name from a weathering arch in a stone monolith. In ancient times, it was believed that if the rider slipped at full speed through this ring, he would be invulnerable to the sword and arrows. In the gorge of another river - Olkhovka, there is another rock - Lermontovskaya, with a waterfall named after the poet.

Surroundings of Kislovodsk

If you are tired of making a daily unhurried promenade through the Narzan Gallery and taking pictures at the Lermontov site, then it's time to make a sortie for Kislovodsk. Excursions - the attractions of the surrounding area allow you to do this - very diverse. They can be ordered at your local travel agency. Tourists are offered both walking tours in the immediate vicinity of the city (Alikonovskoye, Olkhovskoye Gorge), and bus excursions to the Berezovskaya Hollow, to the top of Rome Mountain, where once there was a Byzantine settlement), to the caves "Devil's Grottoes" and so on. You can go on a one-day tour to Kabardino-Balkaria, to the famous Narzan Valley. Here, the healing water is blown right out from under your feet.