The history of each of the settlements in the Krasnodar Territory is quite interesting. Here you can find both moments common to all cities and towns, and bright individual, very heartfelt pages. The history of the most popular Krasnodar resort of Gelendzhik is no exception.
For many centuries, the builders of ancient prehistoric dolmens and Greek, Byzantine and Genoese colonizers lived along the coast of Gelendzhik Bay, the Huns and Goths plundered and burned port buildings, the Crimean and Ottoman conquerors dominated here, and Russia waged a bitter struggle for influence in the Black Sea region.
The coast of Gelendzhik Bay has attracted various peoples since prehistoric times
Story
On the territory occupied by modern Gelendzhik, people lived a couple of centuries ago, as evidenced by the found dolmens and traces of ancient settlements. However, the history of the resort town itself goes back no more than 150 years.
One of the darkest periods in the history of the city was the time, starting from the 15th century, when Gelendzhik Bay was occupied by the Turks. Nevertheless, it is precisely these times that Gelendzhik owes its name. According to one version, the name of the city is translated as “white bride”: Turkish traders were amazed by the beauty of local girls, and stole young mountain women, taking them to Turkey.
A significant date in the city's history was the opening of the first sanatorium. This happened in 1900, and seven years later Gelendzhik Bay received the official status of a sea health resort. From the 50s to the present day, the city has been constantly developing, modernizing and improving to meet the high standards of the modern tourism industry.
Gelendzhik received city status in 1915, 50% of the population were intelligentsia
The founding of the Gelendzhik village took place in 1864. In 1870 the village was transformed into the village of Gelendzhikskoye.
By 1912, the population of Gelendzhik was 5,000 people, of which 50% were intellectuals. The Gelendzhik intelligentsia founded a society whose funds were used to improve the resort. The intellectual influence is still felt in Gelendzhik.
The village had a village administration, a postal and telegraph office, a hospital with an outpatient clinic, a pharmacy, a reading room, a school, many stores with household goods and an information desk for finding apartments. It was possible to rent a room for modest means - 10 - 15 rubles per month. The cab drivers' fee was also modest - 40 - 50 kopecks per hour.
In 1915, by decision of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire, the transformation of the village of Gelendzhik into an urban settlement was approved.
Gelendzhik Museum of History and Local Lore
Geography
Gelendzhik is located at the foot of Mount Markotkh on the Black Sea coast. The city is located in the picturesque Gelendzhik Bay, bounded by two capes - Tonkiy (in the north) and Tolstoy (in the south). Not far from Gelendzhik - 25 kilometers - is the city of Novorossiysk.
In Gelendzhik, a dry, hot climate prevails - a kind of symbiosis of sea and mountain climate. The favorable location of the resort distinguishes it from other coastal cities. As if screened by mountains, it is protected from northern winds most of the year, and thanks to the sea breeze, there is no sweltering summer heat here, as in Tuapse or Sochi.
As a rule, the weather is sunny here from March to October. But it happens that the warmth lasts until mid-January. In general, winter in Gelendzhik is characterized by mild frosts, heavy rains and nor’easters (from November to December).
Jeeping
Extreme vacation in Gelendzhik is traditional Jeeping. However, you will not encounter a single familiar jeep, in the usual sense of the word. But the UAZ will be a faithful iron horse.
Walking in UAZ:
- Extreme;
- Excursion.
Extreme ones are designed for young people - these are puddles, the UAZ skids, but with all this it is safe, there are no cliffs.
Excursion trips are designed for families with children and the elderly. In UAZ cars you can get to the ancient dolmens, which, as they say, heal the soul. Here you can improve your physical health. More recently, Chinese dates began to be grown in Gelendzhik, which contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus fruits.
Gelendzhik Hotels
Gelendzhik, like most domestic Black Sea resorts, receives the main influx of tourists from May to September. The hottest season is traditionally July-August. This explains the specifics of the city's hotels: most of them are open only in summer, and rooms must be booked in advance - best in winter or early spring, when you can come across an interesting offer from the hotel or book a room at a relatively low price.
Most of the hotels and hotel complexes are located in the city center. The most “star” hotels are located either on the first coastline or within walking distance from the beach and promenade.
Hotels of 5* or 4* categories are also characterized by their proximity to the main tourist destination - the Admiral Vrungel amusement park. Some high-class hotels are located south of Gelendzhik Bay, closer to the Tolsty Cape microdistrict on the Black Sea coast.
If we consider 3* hotels, then in terms of service they are slightly inferior to more star hotels. As a rule, 3* hotels have their own restaurant, outdoor or indoor swimming pool, as well as comfortable modern rooms. They are located, however, at a distance from the coastline, and you will have to get to the sea either by transport or from 15 to 30 minutes on foot.
The hostel format is not common in Gelendzhik, but for budget tourists accommodation is available in guest houses, which usually offer accommodation without meals. However, during the high season, the cost of accommodation in such guest houses can reach 2,000 rubles per room or more.
In the vicinity of Gelendzhik you can see monuments of the Bronze Age - dolmens
The Black Sea coast of the Caucasus has been inhabited since ancient times. The Bronze Age tribes who lived here 5 thousand years ago immortalized themselves with burial structures made of stone slabs - dolmens.
About 2,500 dolmens are currently known on the Black Sea coast. Modern researchers believe that there were 3-4 times more of them.
The period of construction of dolmens is called by archaeologists the dolmen culture or the culture of dolmen builders. Dolmens were erected en masse over a period of more than a thousand years. What ethnic group the dolmen builders belonged to, their religion or ritual rites have not yet been accurately established.
Tiled dolmen on a mountain near the village of Pshada
Photos of dolmens in the vicinity of Gelendzhik from the Gelendzhik Museum
Attractions and entertainment
Vacationers on the Gelendzhik Black Sea coast will not be bored. Despite the small area, there are many attractions and entertainment in the city and its surroundings.
Leading lighthouse. The Gelendzhik embankment is the pearl of the city. In addition, on it in the very center of Gelendzhik, on Lermontovsky Boulevard, is located the Gate Lighthouse - the oldest building in the city.
Safari Park. The “wild” park is home to different species of animals, there is an exhibition “From the depths of centuries and waters”, and it also offers a panoramic view of the entire resort and Gelendzhik Bay from a height of 640 meters. You can get to the safari park using a cable car. The length of the climb is on average 1.6 km, which takes about 25 minutes.
Water parks. The resort has three water parks, one of which is the largest in Russia - Golden Bay. Its territory is more than 15 hectares. This water park has it all: interesting water slides, exciting rides, a dance arena and a sports ground. The Behemoth and Dolphin water parks have a smaller area and fewer slides, but they are all popular during the tourist season.
The Dolphinarium is a place where you can see acrobatic sketches, fiery dances, and also hear singing performed by talented dolphins. The highlight of the Gelendzhik Dolphinarium program is a picture painted by a dolphin. One of the guests of the dolphinarium can become its owner.
The Olymp entertainment complex includes a zoo, a terrarium, an aquarium, a bowling alley, various attractions, including a Ferris wheel, as well as a “feature” of the amusement park – a cable car (the second in Gelendzhik). With its help you will get to a height of 600 m and will be able to explore the whole of Gelendzhik in detail.
In addition, during your vacation you will not be bored by the diving clubs, camping sites located on the coast, as well as jeeping (trips to the mountains in jeeps and ATVs) and boat trips on catamarans, jet skis and boats.
A 44-meter Orthodox Cross was erected on the ridge above Gelendzhik
In 2021, in just a few months, a 44-meter Orthodox cross was erected on a ridge above Gelendzhik, which immediately became a new landmark of Gelendzhik. Now the words from the song of the Nautilus Pompilius group: “You see a cross rising there on the mountain...” have become very relevant for Gelendzhik.
At night, the Cross is illuminated and in the blackness of the sky it seems that it is floating in the air. At the base of the Cross there is a small chapel. There are rumors that the Cross was erected with private funds by some Greek, of whom there are quite a few living in Gelendzhik.
View from Gelendzhik street to the Cross on the mountain
Panorama of the city and the sea from the height of the Cross
Excursions
Almost all excursions that you can buy in Gelendzhik are by bus, since this type of transport is most common in mountainous areas.
Taman is one of the villages of the Krasnodar Territory. Here you can come into contact with the beautiful nature of the Azov Sea, visit the house-museum of M.Yu. Lermontov, as well as the ruins of the ancient city.
Air excursion by plane over the sea bay, Lake Abrau and the mountain range. The flight takes place on an amphibious aircraft, which takes off from the water surface.
One of the most popular excursions is a trip to ancient buildings - dolmens . During the 10-hour excursion you will visit several resort villages near Gelendzhik, where, in fact, dolmens have been preserved. In addition, during this excursion you will visit Mount Gibeus and see several waterfalls.
Excursion to the waterfalls . Going to the Zhane River near the village of Vozrozhdenie, you will see a beautiful valley with a cascade of waterfalls, located 10 km from the resort. But the waterfalls on the Pshada River are not so accessible; it will take two days to get to them. However, it is worth it: the largest waterfall reaches a height of 16 meters.
Mountain-sail. It is located near the beach of the small resort village of Praskoveevka. The flat mountain resembles a sail: its width is 20 meters and its height is 30 m. You can get to it either by sea using a boat or along the shore.
Spring Natasha is a natural monument of Gelendzhik, located on the Mikhailovsky Pass. It is believed that the water from this source is of particular importance for newlyweds. Next to the spring is the chapel of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Cable car
The cable car to the Markotkh ridge (Markotkh - the name of the ridge comes from the word “marko” - blackberry and “tkhy” - ridge.) operates almost around the clock. One ascent and descent costs about 350 rubles, but what views open up from above. It's worth a look. At this height, approximately 500 meters, you can clearly see how the city goes around the bay. Far below, the Black Sea spreads out in a light haze. On the Markotkhsky ridge there is an inscription Gelendzhik one hundred meters long (longer than the Hollywood inscription). Several years ago it was created by local residents.
Shopping and souvenirs
In addition to the standard set of souvenirs in the form of a magnet and a T-shirt with the name of the resort, you can bring from Gelendzhik beautiful shells and various crafts made from them - jewelry, interior items, dishes, etc. In addition, crafts made from natural materials such as clay, bamboo, stone are also common here .
And, of course, the gastronomic souvenirs presented here in the form of nuts, honey and tea are worthy of special attention. These products are distinguished by high quality and a unique taste, evoking thoughts of past southern holidays.
Fact 2. Record-breaking embankment
Yes, yes, such a relatively small city as Gelendzhik is famous for the longest embankment in the world. Its total length is 14 km, of which a little more than 8 km are available for romantic walks on foot. And this is not the limit, because the city administration of Gelendzhik plans to further increase it. The main competitor is the embankment in Dubai, which is 12 km long.
Today, Primorsky Boulevard of Gelendzhik is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest sea embankment in the world.
It is conventionally divided into three parts: southern, central and northern. Each of them has its own distinctive features. The southern one is the most picturesque. From here you can see an amazing view, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Central is a real “anthill” of tourists, especially in the warm season. This is due to the huge number of cafes and summer areas. The northern part is famous for its cycling paths.
Transport
When coming to Gelendzhik, you cannot miss Novorossiysk. Trains come to this city. You can get to Gelendzhik itself by bus or taxi. The bus service here is well developed, the intervals between flights are short.
In Gelendzhik itself there are two bus stations – “new” and “old”. The first is focused on intercity flights, and this is where buses from Novorossiysk arrive. From the “old” bus station you can go to nearby resort villages. In addition, on the route from Novorossiysk there are bus stations in the villages of Kabardinka and Arkhipo-Osipovka.
In 2010, an airport opened in Gelendzhik and you can buy an air ticket and fly comfortably. During the holiday season, there are up to 8 flights per day to Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg, Chelyabinsk and other cities.
Waterpark Golden Bay
People who come to relax in the city of Gelendzhik should definitely visit the water park. For example, Golden Bay is the largest outdoor water park in Russia. This also speaks to the significance of such a facility for the resort of Gelendzhik. There are 44 slides and 67 descents. A specially trained lifeguard is on duty near each slide, instructing visitors before the descent. However, the rule of behavior on the slides is to be attentive and cheerful.
Fact 6. Hydroaviation Center
Gelendzhik is a world famous city among aviation enthusiasts. Here, every two even years, an event takes place, which has no analogues in any country. The “Gidroaviasalon” held in this Black Sea city is the youngest and currently the only one in the world.
The spectacle simply stuns the imagination: a demonstration of airplanes and other aircraft performing mind-blowing stunts on the water is successfully combined with an exhibition of hydraulic aircraft. This event is very popular among residents and guests of the city: the first exhibition, held more than 20 years ago, attracted over 100 thousand people and lasted six days.
Beaches
The beaches stretch along the coast for 20 kilometers, there are more than 110 of them. Most of the beaches are covered with pebbles. The central bay offers tourists a sandy beach, but it is always crowded and crowded. The beaches in the Tolstoy Cape area are popular; there are both municipal and boarding house recreation areas. For those who want to relax by the open sea, there is a beautiful Blue Bay.
Climate
It has a dry subtropical climate. It is perfect for a comfortable and pleasant stay. The swimming season lasts six months, from May to the end of October. The velvet season opens in September, the air temperature drops to 25 degrees, and the water warms up to 24 degrees. Winters here are warm, temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees, but cold winds often blow. Keep in mind.
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Fact 3. The most famous cat
An interesting fact from Gelendzhik: on the embankment there is a bronze monument to one of the most frequently mentioned characters in Pushkin’s poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila” - the Scientist Cat. There are ten such sculptures in Russia, but the Gelendzhik cat is the most famous.
The monument was erected in 2008. The literary character is depicted quite funny: in appearance he is similar to a wise, gray-haired professor in a robe and glasses. The cat holds a book in his right paw, and his left one is raised up, showing the gesture of a lecturer demanding silence in the audience.
A very interesting tradition has already developed among the city’s schoolchildren and students: before each difficult exam, they rub a cat for good luck, hoping for its help at a crucial moment. From frequent touches over several years, the cat has already been polished to a shine, but there is still more to come!
- Entertainment in Gelendzhik for the whole family
Fact 8. Pine under protection
Gelendzhik is a uniquely beautiful evergreen city. According to local residents, the air there is so clean that you want to breathe it in again and again! The reason for such an amazing atmosphere is the Pitsunda pine forest, located near the city and under the protection of UNESCO.
These trees have a bizarre appearance: a spreading, unusually shaped crown with very long needles, reaching a length of 18 cm. The pine is affectionately called “Chernomorochka” for its unique growing region.
It differs from its relatives in that it releases six times more phytoncides into the environment. The combination of pine needles and refreshing sea air is very useful for people with breathing problems, and therefore the resort is visited annually by thousands of people who want to receive treatment. And for children this is simply a unique source of health.
- Family holidays in Russia
