Min water where to go. What to see in mineral waters in one day. Museum dedicated to Alexey Pavlovich Babik

In the specially protected resort region of Russia (Caucasian Mineral Waters), which is located in the Stavropol region, there is a small town - Mineralnye Vody. The name of the settlement conveys comprehensive information, although there are no sources of healing waters in the city itself.

But this place attracts tourists with its dry, warm climate, a large number of sunny days, which made it possible to have a complex of medical institutions and many hotels here. The attractions here are not those for which it would be especially worth coming. But still, in Mineralnye Vody there is something to see between medical procedures and relaxation.

And since Mineralnye Vody is a major transport hub with an airport and a railway station, from here you can take exciting excursions around.

Map

Attractions marked on the city map:

This hill appeared as a result of volcanic activity. It is located near the city and is a protected natural monument. If you translate its name from the Turkic language - Zhlak-tau - you get: “snake mountain”. There are two versions of the origin of the name:

• The mountain, covered with rich vegetation, was the refuge of snakes;
• The mountain slopes are dotted with ravines, narrow and winding, which look like the bodies of snakes.

The height of this natural monument is 994 meters. Archaeologists studying the mountain discovered a structure made of stone, inside which ancient shards were found. Near the Snake there are ruins considered to be the remains of an ancient altar.

Also near the city is Mount Sheludivaya of volcanic origin. It is slightly lower than Zmeyka (874 meters), and its slopes are covered with screes, which became the reason for the name. On one of the slopes of the mountain there are garden plots of local residents.

Temples and cathedrals

Address: st. Pyatigorskaya, 35
Telephone: +7 87922 524 16
Operating mode: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.

This temple is considered the main attraction of both Mineralnye Vody and the entire Stavropol region. Construction began in 1992, and construction lasted 5 years. The development was planned by the architect M.K. Mikhailovich.

The cathedral is an architectural complex including:

• The church building itself;
• Belfry with eight bells;
• Outbuildings;
• Administrative building.

The cathedral became the main shrine of the city. The interior decoration is very beautiful. The walls are painted in a single composition, and the iconostasis has several tiers.

Address: st. Svobody, 94
Telephone: +7 87922 575 05
Operating mode: every day from 7:00 to 19:00.

Construction of this structure began in 1950, but the church received its current name only 47 years later. Its architecture is simple, and in addition to the main building there is also a bell tower. Everything is surrounded by red brick walls.

The interior decoration is modest. The walls are decorated with a few paintings and faces of saints.

Historical buildings, monuments, museums

Address: st. Lenina, 42a

Within the city there is a railway station, which is an architectural monument made in the Baroque style. The monumental structure, surrounded by columns, was erected in 1955.

Inside the huge premises of the station there can be at least one and a half thousand people at the same time. This station is operational, although its reconstruction is planned.

Sculpture "Eagle"

Address: st. Lenina, 42a (near the city station)

There are eagle sculptures in every resort of Caucasian Mineral Waters (KMV). The proud bird tightly grips the snake in its steel claws. The eagle is a symbol of health, and the snake represents illness. Here, at the KMS resorts, this is what happens - health conquers illness.

The silhouette of the bird is cast from bronze, and the pedestal on which it stands is carved from stone.

Museum of Local Lore

Address: st. Proletarskaya, 137
Telephone: +7 87922 614 00, +7 87922 612 31
Operating mode: Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 17:00, break: 13:00 – 14:00.

In 1999 it appeared on the basis of the city museum. There are several departments on specific topics:

• paleontology;
• archeology;
• city ​​`s history;
• history of the events of the Great Patriotic War;
• collection dedicated to the writer A.P. Bibik.

House of the writer Bibik

The museum is located in an adobe house where the writer lived the last 20 years of his life. Here he worked on his book “To the Broad Road.”

The collection of the museum, opened in 1990, contains the writer’s personal belongings, his drafts, and old books. The interior of the premises remained the same as Bibik remembered it.

Address: st. Knyshevskogo, 9, Aircraft factory No. 411 GA
Telephone:+7 87922 566 33, +7 87922 637 66 – plant administration
Pre-arrangement is required before visiting.

This museum is located on the territory of a local aircraft repair plant. Here, in the open air, you can see famous airplanes and helicopters: Mi-1, Mi-8, Yak-40, Li-2.

It cannot be said that all the exhibits are perfectly preserved, because even here the weather conditions are not always favorable. But you can get acquainted with photographs depicting the first flights, and also look at some interesting historical documents.

This plant is located at the very foot of the picturesque Zmeyka Mountain. In the 80s of the 19th century, Count S. A. Stroganov brought horses of Arabian blood to Russia. From that moment on, construction of the plant began, the location for which was chosen by the count himself, taking as a basis the similarity of climatic conditions of the horses’ former habitat.

The revolutionary October whirlwinds thoroughly ruined the enterprise, which was restored only in 1921. The stud farm was named “Tersky” in honor of the Cossack regiment. And since 1970, the plant's pets have been sold at international auctions.

Memorial "Fire of Eternal Glory"

Address: Square 30 years of Victory

The memorial was opened in 1976. It is dedicated to the residents of Mineralnye Vody who gave their lives in the Great Patriotic War. The complex is represented by a composition of columns and bas-reliefs made of stone.

The monument itself is made in the form of pylons, at the base of which there is a marble bowl. In its middle there is a star, from which comes fire, lit from a torch brought from the Volgograd memorial.

The memorial complex is surrounded by a park with alleys framed by bas-reliefs of Heroes of the Soviet Union - natives of the city.

Not far from the city, near the river. Dzhemukha, there is a monument dedicated to the tank crews who died during the war. This is a stone pedestal on which the T-34 tank flaunts. The names of the heroes are carved on a tablet mounted on a pedestal. The creation of the monument dates back to 1965.

Entertainment

Shopping and entertainment center "Vershina"

Address: st. Sovetskaya, 28
Telephone: +7 87922 603 37

The shopping center building was built in the shape of an aircraft, which is a symbol of the city. The original design of the building makes it the only one of its kind. It houses numerous shops and an entertainment area. The complex is equipped with ample parking.

Restaurant "Holburg"

Address: st. Lenina, 16
Telephone: +7 87922 644 47

The "ancient castle", of course, is not real - it is a very good stylization, built specifically for a restaurant. But the owners took great care in recreating the medieval atmosphere: tapestries. turrets, massive tables made of dark wood, authentic menu. An evening spent in the throne room will remain in the memory for a long time.

If you have not yet chosen where you will live and want to save money when booking, we recommend using the RoomGuru service. Firstly, it contains hotels, apartments and guest houses from many different booking systems, so you won’t miss out on a worthwhile option. Secondly, you can immediately compare prices for one place in different services and book where it is cheaper (this is not always Booking!).

Mineralnye Vody is one of the largest cities in the Stavropol Territory. It is considered the most important transport hub in the North Caucasus.

What is noteworthy is that no mineral water sources were ever discovered on the territory of the city, and the name of the city was associated with the location of nearby resorts specializing in the treatment of healing waters.

At the same time, the city of Mineralnye Vody has high tourism potential due to the location of resorts nearby, its transport capabilities and attractions.

Natural attractions of Caucasian Mineral Waters

Mineral water

Since the city is located in the Stavropol Territory, which is located on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, the nature here is special. Many tourists come to enjoy the beauty of the sights of Mineralnye Vody and its surroundings.

Of the most significant and interesting places, two mountains can be noted:

• Snake
• Mangy

Mount Snake

Mount Snake before a thunderstorm

According to ancient documents, the name comes from the Turkic “Zhlak-tau”, which means “snake mountain”. The mountain received this name for the numerous ravines on the eastern slope, which with their narrow and winding shape resemble snakes. There is also an assumption that a large number of snakes once lived on this mountain.

This mountain is paleovolcanic, its height is almost 1000 meters, and the territory it occupies is 20 square meters. km. It is part of the Pyatigorye region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and has a slightly oval-elongated shape.

Getting to it is quite easy, it is practically part of the city - the distance from the railway station to the mountain is 4.5 km.

This mountain, due to its composition, is important in the study of volcanic processes that occurred in ancient times. Snake is also rich in flora and fauna; both forests and mountain meadows are located on its surface. In addition, on the southwestern slope there is a source of mineral water with a unique chemical composition. The mountain is also rich in accumulations of beshtuanite, which has been mined since the middle of the last century.

Unique buildings

On the territory of the mountain one often comes across various archaeological fossils - these are pottery shards, traces of a building on the eastern slope, and bones of people and animals. Based on this, it can be assumed that there was an inhabited settlement on the mountain.

In addition, there are other man-made and natural attractions on the mountain:

• Monument to workers
• Holy springs
• Dam
• Adits

Mount Sheludivaya

View of Mount Sheludivaya

It is also part of Pyatigorye and is also paleovolcanic in composition. It is located near Pyatigorsk, at its foot is the city of Lermontov. Its height is 874 meters, area is 93 hectares.

Before the development of the city of Lermontov on the northern slope and the creation of a quarry where beshtaunite is mined on the southern slope, this mountain made a very majestic impression due to its external resemblance to a pyramid. Due to its composition, the mountain is of particular scientific interest.

The mountain got its name from the rock formations and screes located on its slopes. Previously, it was called “Green”, but now there is noticeably less vegetation on its surface.

Temples and Cathedrals

Among the attractions of the city of Mineralnye Vody, the famous church buildings deserve no less attention:

• Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The construction of the Cathedral took place in 1990-1997. Previously, a temple had already been built on this site. Its first rector is Protasy Lvov. He was buried right there, behind the altar of the temple. However, in the 30s, the Intercession Cathedral was closed and destroyed, all the stone was sent for construction, and a public garden was organized on this site and a monument to Stalin was erected.

It was only in December 1990 that the desecrated place was re-consecrated, a cross was erected at the site of its foundation, and a new Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was built in a short time.

Of particular note is the belfry. 8 bells create clean and light tints. The temple itself is quite simple, but at the same time majestic.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

The temple was consecrated in 1950. Since that time, the original appearance has not been changed. The church is distinguished by its modesty; there are few paintings.

Initially, the temple was consecrated in honor of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, but after the restoration of the cathedral in 1997, it was re-illuminated into the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

One of the most unique features of the church is the “Quick to Hear” icon, which was painted by Athonite monks.

Historical monuments, buildings, museums

City station

Train Station

Mineralnye Vody is one of the largest transport hubs, the railway station is an important part of the North Caucasus route, and the station itself is located within the city, which makes it easy to get to the hotel.

However, in addition to its functional purpose, the station building is also a unique architectural structure. Made in the Baroque style, surrounded by a row of columns, with a statue installed at the main entrance, the station gives the impression of a truly monumental structure.

The internal content is very well thought out. It can comfortably accommodate about 1,500 people, with two waiting rooms, a cafe, toilets, souvenir kiosks and a medical center.

If you are inspired by mountains, then the review will undoubtedly appeal to you, where you are sure to find exciting options for recreation and adventure in our country.

When planning a trip to the South of Russia, do not forget to include the sights of Sochi in your schedule, which are described in detail. A walk through the arboretum and parks of the city will leave a great impression, even if you visit Sochi for just one day.

Sculpture "Eagle"

The symbol of the Caucasian Mineral Waters is “Eagle killing a snake”

At the beginning of the 20th century, a historical sculpture of an eagle tormenting a snake was installed on Mount Goryacheva. The snake symbolizes diseases, and the eagle symbolizes the healing power of mineral springs. Since then, this building has become a real symbol of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and was even depicted on the coat of arms.

This sculpture is located in Nagorny Park. Once upon a time there was a source of mineral waters in this place, and the Alexander Baths, named after the emperor, were located.

Today, its image is duplicated in souvenirs, and tourists can be found near the structure itself in any weather.

Museum of Local Lore

Local Lore Museum of Mineralnye Vody

Founded in 1999. The museum has several departments, each dedicated to a specific topic. The hall dedicated to the life and work of the writer A.P. deserves special attention. Bibikova.

The museum's collection contains a large number of exhibits; there are exhibitions dedicated to military topics and heroes of the Great Patriotic War. There are also many archaeological and paleontological finds.

Aviation Museum

Exhibits of the Museum of Aviation Technology

The Aviation Museum is located not far from the airport in Mineralnye Vody. There is also an aircraft repair plant, on the territory of which several exhibits of the museum are exhibited. These are quite unique models. For example, MI-1 and MI-8 helicopters.

However, before visiting this museum, you must first make an agreement with the administration.

House of the writer Bibik

House of the writer A.P. Bibik

The museum itself is located in the house where the writer once lived. He lived in Mineralnye Vody for the last 20 years of his life and ended it here. Alexey Pavlovich Bibik continued to write until his death, completing his major work “By the Broad Road.”

The museum was opened at the end of the 20th century. It is dedicated to the life of the writer, and the house displays both personal belongings and creative tools, drafts and books. The general interior has been preserved in the same form in which the writer himself saw it. In addition, among the exhibits there are paintings by P.M. Grechishkin, which he presented to A.P. Bibik.

Tersky stud farm

Entrance to the Tersky stud farm

In 1889, a factory for breeding pedigree Arabian horses was founded by Count Stroganov. With the advent of socialism, the plant was closed. Fortunately, the house where the count lived remained preserved.

Later, in 1921, Budyonny created the Terek Stud Farm, intended to strengthen the cavalry. It was named after the Terek Cossack Regiment, and the horses that were bred at that factory were intended for officers.

Initially, it was planned to breed Streltsy horses, but their numbers turned out to be insufficient. Therefore, the Arabian breed was imported and to this day it is considered elite, being sold at auctions around the world.

Today there is the possibility of horseback riding; horses can be rented.

Memorial "Fire of Eternal Glory"

Memorial in memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War “Fire of Eternal Glory”

In 1942, the city of Mineralnye Vody was occupied by the Nazis. The German occupation lasted 5 months. There is a major transport hub here, so the city was an important strategic point.

In 1976, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the victory, the Fire of Eternal Glory was erected in honor of the heroes who defended their native land. The double pylons on which the bas-reliefs are located form a pentagon; in the center there is a stone symbolizing the indestructibility and resilience of the Caucasus.

Monument to tank crews

Legendary tank on a pedestal

On the bank of the Dzhemukha River there is a monument to tank crews erected in 1965. It is a tank located on a stone hill. On the pedestal there is a memorial with the names of tank crews who died during the occupation engraved on it.

Film about the city of Mineralnye Vody

After watching the video, you will learn a lot more interesting things about the city.

Tourists and vacationers most often do not see Mineralnye Vody.

Yes, there is an airport and a railway station, but in essence, the city is just a large transport hub to a holiday destination. However, there is something to see here.

1. I spent less than a day in the city, having time to see everything. I'll show it to you too.

Here I came across a monument to the hero of the Caucasian War, Ermolov, rare for residents of Central Russia.

An extraordinary military leader who pacified the Caucasus is held in high esteem here.

2. All popular public places of the city in the center.

So are hotels. Convenient and close.

3. There is also a city park with the Eternal Flame.

It is gratifying that the fire burns here not only on weekends, as in some cities of our Motherland.

4. The park itself is quite depressing.

Most likely because it's not the season. Although most of the awkward attractions have been here since Soviet times.

5. The cracked bust of Karl Marx also reminds us of its former greatness.

I wonder if modern schoolchildren know who this is?

The city has a large station and depot, so railway workers have their own personal palace of culture.

6. Behind the sad park there is a very sad stadium.

Judging by the commentary booth and obscene inscriptions, its main visitors are now small-minded children.

7. I hope that at least occasionally someone plays football here.

8. Local meaningful graffiti.

Police. I would also classify this huge building for the city with dozens of departmental cars as a tourist attraction.

Security is a must here.

10. Meanwhile, the neighborhood around is modest.

I accidentally came across Pushkin Square.

Ours is all, I vacationed at Caucasian Mineralnye Vody three times and quite possibly have been here once.

11. In a small park next to the city college, the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary grew up.

I’ll tell you separately about this church and the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is in the main photo, and about the people who met me there.

12. The temple is beautiful. And it’s doubly nice that it’s not prohibited to play sports nearby.

The watchman carefully asked who I was and where I was from, and told me that this was the coolest educational institution in the city.

14. No doubt.

The history of these buildings alone is worth it. By the way, railway workers were once trained here.

15. Well, the station itself.

He is good. It was erected in 1957, but the previous one, which stood here since the mid-19th century, was destroyed by the Nazis during bombing.

16. Nobody prohibits you from filming inside.

17. The proud eagle at the top of the Caucasus shines even in bad weather.

18. Station Square is quite crowded.

There are a lot of stalls of cellular operators, shops with souvenirs and dubious cafes.

And also an incredibly sad monument to those who died during the Great Patriotic War.

The city has a beautiful memorial "Fire of Eternal Glory". Unfortunately, I didn’t get to it this time.

19. Along the main avenue - named after 22 Party Congress you can come to another monument.

20. There is a fairly large intersection with the main administrative buildings and rich shops.

21. If you go away from the main avenue, you can reach that depressing amusement park.

22. Or to the main city building with columns - the administration.

23. Well, if you move from the center, then among dozens of shops you can find such a pearl.

By the way, they play modern Hollywood.

Interesting connection between times...

24. Passenger airliners periodically fly over the city - the airport is only 4 kilometers away.

And in a small nook the MiG-15 landed forever.

25. However, it just begs to go to heaven.

It’s amazing, by the way, how the handsome man holds up.

26. Another piece of military equipment on the pedestal is a Soviet tank. T-34, of course.

It's also taking off.

Memorials are well maintained with flowers. This is wonderful.

27. And again a sad monument.

A huge memorial complex to the victims of the wars in Afghanistan, Chechnya and the liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.

It is unlikely that the city of Mineralnye Vody will ever become a tourist mecca. Yes, they don’t strive for this here, judging by the narrow dusty streets and broken sidewalks. But it is in Mineralnye Vody that the airport is located, receiving passengers from all over Russia, from where they travel to neighboring resort towns of the namesake region or make their route further to the alluring whiteness of Elbrus. And since we ended up here in transit, it would be a sin not to take advantage of the opportunity to look at the city closer. And there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, Mount Zmeyka is located not far from Mineralnye Vody. If you have a desire and a few hours of free time, then climb the mountain to get a bird's eye view of the surroundings. Secondly, at the foot of the Snake lies the horse kingdom - the legendary one, founded by Count Sergei Alexandrovich Stroganov, where “Russian Arabs” are bred. Why go to the stud farm and how to get there, I told you in a separate post.

Thirdly, a few kilometers from the city, the Novoterskaya mineral water is bottled, and a sanatorium has been built nearby, where people are treated with both mineral water and healing Tambukan mud. Well, fourthly, I wonder what kind of city this is - Mineralnye Vody.

The first city attraction is the railway station building.

The station appeared here back in 1875 and until 1922 it was called Sultanovskaya station. The founding date of the city itself is considered to be 1878, when railway workers settled here after the construction of the Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway.

The current station building was built in 1957. In accordance with the architectural fashion of that time, the station is decorated with an impressively sized colonnade, in the center of which there is an indispensable symbol of the Kavminvod - an eagle tormenting a snake. If you look closely at the mosaic panel from the inside of the circular colonnade, you will see a more interesting picture: the silhouette of the Caucasus Range, in the center of which is Elbrus, is clearly visible on the panel.

From the station you can walk to the city park. Nothing outstanding, but clean, bird-like benches, mothers and fathers with children.

In the 90s, the construction of the huge Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was completed in the city. Today it is the largest temple in the North Caucasus. The territory of the cathedral is also significant; some monasteries could envy it. The red-brick architectural ensemble of the temple is designed in a very unusual way; it has something of a fortress with walls and towers.

In 2008, near the Intercession Cathedral, on a square next to residential high-rise buildings, a monument to the hero of the War of 1812, the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian War, General Alexei Petrovich Ermolov, was opened. Local Cossacks collected money for the monument.

General Ermolov became famous not only for his exploits on the battlefield, but also for his diligent work to improve the entire region of the Caucasian mineral waters: under him, the Georgian Military Road was modernized, hospitals were set up at mineral springs, where it became safe for the resort public to stay.

On the outskirts of the city, next to the Caucasus highway, there is a small park with the Flame of Eternal Glory memorials. Five bas-reliefs according to the number of months of the German occupation of the city, collected in a pentagon, stand on five double pylons, between which a stone seems to be sandwiched, which symbolizes the inaccessibility of the Caucasus Mountains to the enemy.

The bas-relief “Motherland” encrypts the story that more than 18 thousand mineral workers went to the front and 7 thousand 584 of them died in battle. About 10 thousand more residents were executed by the Germans and thrown into an anti-tank ditch. There is also a bas-relief dedicated to the reconnaissance group "Revenge". On December 14, 1942, nine people were landed in the Zmeika Mountain area to establish reconnaissance and sabotage work at the Mineralovodsk railway junction and the cities of the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody. But there were traitors among the local residents, and the group was captured by the Nazis. After torture by the Gestapo, on December 31, the saboteurs were shot in the forest at the foot of Mashuk.

This war happened a long time ago. But heading towards the railway station, in the area of ​​the city market, we saw a monument at the site of the 2001 terrorist attack, when the explosion killed 21 people and injured about 100.

On the same day there was an explosion and I really want this to not happen here again. Let the small town, from where the door to the large Kavminvody opens, remain as quiet and cozy as we saw it this spring.

Economic problems dictate their conditions. When the euro has approached 80 rubles, planning winter holidays in Europe or abroad in general becomes very, very problematic. Therefore, we open a map of Russia and a guide to prices for flights... This is how the idea of ​​going to the Caucasus was prosaically born. Here the weather in January seems to be not bad, the nature is wonderful and the prices are reasonable. They decided to develop the southern borders of the Motherland from, perhaps, the most “promoted” places - the Caucasian Mineral Waters (CMW).

The place for spending the winter holidays seemed very promising. There are springs and mountains and nature. At this point it is appropriate to give a little information regarding geographical data and terms used. Well, so that there is no confusion. There is a city called Mineralnye Vody. It is the administrative center of the Mineralovodsk urban district of the Stavropol Territory. There is an airport of the same name and a railway station here. Important: there is no mineral water here (otherwise you will come to Mineralnye Vody to drink mineral water). That is, there are no sources, despite the name (I’ll tell you why below). We look at the map again and see that there are also Caucasian mineral waters. This is not a city, not a town, or a populated area at all. This is the name for a group of resorts, a specially protected ecological resort region-agglomeration of Russia, which has a coordinating administration (eco wrapped). To put it simply: this is the name given to cities that are resorts. Direct state administration of this region is entrusted to the administration of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, the head of which is appointed by the President of the Russian Federation on the proposal of the governor of the Stavropol Territory. That is, we are talking about a special region within a region (I don’t know why you need these details, but you need to know).

History of Caucasian Mineral Waters

Tsarist times

For the first time, healing springs in this region were discovered under Peter I, who sent scientists to study the properties of “acidic waters,” but this place officially became a resort under Alexander I, when the Emperor signed the Rescript of 1803 “On recognition of the national significance of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and the need for their devices." Before this, the medicinal properties of mineral waters were studied for a long time by a special commission, which ultimately came to the conclusion that they were exceptionally beneficial for the body. Somewhat later, Tambukan mud, mined in the lake of the same name, was recognized as medicinal. However, at first the resort was not particularly popular. In the first years after the signing of the already mentioned Rescript, the resort was visited by as many as several dozen people. There was also no real plan for the construction and development of the KMS. From 1844 to 1857, KavMinVody was managed exclusively by military people, and since 1862, management was transferred to private hands to tenants. But this event did not bring much success (the military, it must be admitted, also failed) and in 1879 the “Administrative Project for the Construction of Waters” was approved, approved by the State Council in 1883 and adopted under the title “On the temporary order of management of the Caucasian mineral waters” (PSZ- 3, vol. 3, no. 1896), according to which they were transferred from a private tenant to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of State Property. In general, the history of the resort is not simple and its development was hampered by the distance from Moscow and St. Petersburg (the journey took one and a half to two months by horse-drawn carriages) and the turbulent situation in the Caucasus. After such a long and unsafe journey, the entire effect of the treatment could have come to naught, or there was simply no one to treat.

In 1875, the Vladikavkaz Railway passed near the region, and the Sultanovskaya station was built, almost immediately renamed Mineralnye Vody: the road to the resorts began from it, and in 1893 the railway went to Kislovodsk. This circumstance has definitely breathed life into the region. The village at the Mineralnye Vody station began to grow and received the name Illarionovsky, and in 1922 the village became the city of Mineralnye Vody.

The CMS was also popular among the “stars” of the Soviet period. Chaliapin, Gorky, and Bulgakov rested and worked here.

The Soviet (especially the post-war period) greatly changed the appearance of resort towns. To replace or in addition to low-rise buildings of various architectural styles came standard multi-storey boxes, which were used to build all the resorts of the USSR - from Druskininkai to the Urals.

And this, in general, is not at all a reproach to the architects of that time. The large working class needed places to rest. A trip to a sanatorium was an incentive from an enterprise that was valued more than a monetary reward.

Only very wealthy people and celebrities (for example, Pushkin and Lermontov) could afford to visit the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters in the 19th – early 20th centuries. The common people simply did not have enough funds for such a long journey. True, during the First World War, hospitals were often used for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, sailors and officers.

During the years of Soviet power, the region acquired the significance of an all-Union health resort, but not everyone could get here for treatment. Sanatorium-resort treatment was provided only by referral. CMS cities abounded in departmental sanatoriums, boarding houses and health resorts for workers from a certain industrial enterprise, department or ministry.

By the way, you can still relax and receive treatment at Krugozor today:

Consequently, the buildings of boarding houses, sanatoriums and related infrastructure had to be erected quickly, inexpensively, and be spacious. Aesthetics - for later. The architectural appearance of each city was invariably complemented by a monument to the leader of the world proletariat (where would we be without him).

Our times

As is customary to say in such cases, today the Caucasian Mineral Waters resort is modern... Perhaps we will formulate it differently: today the KMS is gaining popularity again - people come here not only “by referral” or “from the department” or for medical reasons, but also for tourism purposes: “savages” and simply curious and unorganized travelers. Although, really, there are a lot of departments here... Some have a sanatorium in each city. You walk down the street in Essentuki, and the signs seem to be in the center of Moscow: ministries, offices, services, offices, etc. Everything is like in the capital, only with the prefix “Sanatorium”. One cannot help but sympathize with the poor health of our officials. The work is hard and wears out. So you have to restore your nerves in the Narzan baths. In the Soviet period, in Kislovodsk, for example, there was a sanatorium “Kolkhoznik” (now the name has been encrypted and called “Golden Ear”), but a sanatorium for a “farmer” or, say, a “tired entrepreneur” cannot be found. They don’t get sick now, unlike ministry workers. But the present day of the CMS and each city separately will be discussed in the following articles.

How to get to Caucasian Mineral Waters

By plane

Now everything is simpler and faster than in Lermontov’s time, two months of travel are not required, just a couple of hours by plane, a little less than a day by bus or your car, or 33 hours by train. Everyone makes their own choice.

The price of the flight is quite humane even in high season. Conclusions can be drawn from the table:

By clicking on the inverted triangle in the upper right corner, you can find out the cost of a flight from your city.

By train

If for some reason the plane is not suitable (aerophobia, for example) or you just want to take a nap while listening to the sound of the wheels, you can also get there by train. The advantage is that trains go to both Essentuki and Kislovodsk, that is, the savings on taxis from Mineralnye Vody are quite obvious. You can see ticket prices and schedule here:

By bus

Buses run from Moscow to all resort towns. Travel time: 27-29 hours, ticket prices from 2,300 rubles per passenger one way.

How to get from Mineralnye Vody airport to Kislovodsk, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk

Minibuses run from the airport to each of the cities of the KMS. You can also take a minibus or taxi to the Mineralnye Vody train station and then take a train to the desired location. But these options can take a lot of time. We used a taxi, having ordered it in advance. Economy class car Ordering a transfer from the airport is actually easier and ultimately cheaper than looking for a taxi on the spot. You can see prices for transfers from Mineralnye Vody to Kislovodsk and Zheleznovodsk. It is also more convenient to travel within cities by taxi; the prices are quite reasonable - the average cost of a trip is 100 rubles. (we only got more than once).

There is an electric train between the cities, it is quite comfortable, the fare is 50-70 rubles one way, tickets can be bought either at the ticket office or from the conductor on the train, there are also vending machines, but they were not working when we arrived. The schedule can be viewed on the Yandex service, Schedule.

Where to stay in KMV

This question is not as easy to answer as it seems, because this answer directly depends on the main purpose of the trip - to receive treatment or have fun (the resort is therapeutic). If you are going for treatment, then before choosing a city, decide what you are going to treat or what to be treated for. You can’t make a mistake here, as a famous character used to say. It is appropriate, of course, to send the reader to a doctor, as required by law - “to consult with a specialist,” but I think I still have the right to give some direction. In general, if your stomach is acting up and your intestines don’t give you peace, Essentuki is for you. Irrigate with healing water from all points of view. If your nerves are acting up and your heart is beating too fast (we brush aside the symptoms of falling in love - they don’t treat it here) - come to Kislovodsk, if your kidneys are falling off - welcome to Zheleznovodsk. Everyone is welcome here! Of course, treatment should be approached wisely: the ulcer will not be cured over the weekend even if you do not move away from the source; renal colic will not go away with a couple of procedures. And mud therapy with a health path is useless if your stay is less than 21 days. If the length of stay is less than 10 days, then you should forget about treatment in principle. You are just a tourist and you should choose your destination city not based on the “what hurts” principle, but based on their comfort, cost of living and other things that accompany a regular vacation. This does not mean at all that your health will not improve - walks in the freshest and most healing air have never harmed anyone, sound sleep in silence, Caucasian cuisine, wine and a good mood will heal your nerves in a couple of days. So in CMV treatment is included in any case. So, what does the resort offer in terms of accommodation? Let's return to the goal again: if everything is real: procedures, diet, getting up, lights out, then you should go to a sanatorium. There are many of them here. There are modern and expensive ones, there are pre-revolutionary ones, there are ministerial ones (in the latter the tariff is double: accommodation + taxes you have already paid). But the sanatorium is not suitable for everyone: breakfast until 9 am, lights out at 11. In general, a hospital with a light regime. Such a vacation or really for honey. indications or for the very disciplined. For everyone else, there is a large selection of hotels and a rapidly growing private sector. If you choose a city to spend weekends, holidays, vacations (without fanatical treatment), then the best option is Kislovodsk. Why? On average, the number of clear days per year in Kislovodsk is about 150, while in Pyatigorsk - 98, in Zheleznovodsk - 112, and in Essentuki - 117. Argument? Another one. The largest resort park is 950 hectares. For comparison, in Zheleznovodsk - 203, in Essentuki - 51. This is also a reason, since walking in the KMV is something that can be consumed with guaranteed health benefits, in any quantity and without a doctor’s prescription. But if you couldn’t find a suitable option in Kislovodsk, feel free to look in Essentuki. It’s 20 minutes by train to Kislovodsk, the same to Pyatigorsk and the most unpalatable mineral water. My favorite is #17. There is nothing special to say about Zheleznovodsk (we simply haven’t been here) except that it is the most difficult to reach city in terms of public transport. There is no station here and you need to take a taxi or minibus (albeit a very short distance - about 5 km) to the city from the Beshtau platform (this is between Pyatigorsk and Mineralnye Vody).