Route around Pyatigorsk or how to see the main attractions in 1 day?

Pyatigorsk is an all-season resort, but summer is a fertile time for realizing any plans and fulfilling any desires, and in the Caucasian Mineral Waters region it begins in May and continues in September. Start planning, decide on routes, set priorities depending on your desires, financial capabilities and available time, we will try to help you!

Sights of Pyatigorsk in summer

Pyatigorsk is not only the oldest mud and balneological resort of all-Russian significance in the Caucasus, but also an industrial, scientific, cultural and tourist center of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. This is the largest city in the region in terms of territory and population, where cultural and historical traditions have not been lost. So how can Pyatigorsk interest not only holidaymakers who come for treatment, but also ordinary inquisitive tourists?

Lermontov places

Pyatigorsk is a city of two eras: on the one hand, the “Flower Garden”, galleries, gazebos and grottoes of the era of Lermontov and the “water society”, on the other, comfortable sanatoriums with entertainment complexes that correspond to modern ideas about health-improving recreation, cozy cafes, and gourmet restaurants. Pyatigorsk is inextricably linked with the name of M. Yu. Lermontov, and “Lermontov’s places” have become a kind of brand of the city. Lermontov visited here several times as a child, lived during his exile in the Caucasus, the heroes of his novel walked along the streets of Pyatigorsk; Here Lermontov’s life was tragically cut short in a duel; he was buried in Pyatigorsk land and lay there for several months.

Start your walk through Lermontov's places in the city from Lermontovsky Square, where there is a monument to Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov , opened in August 1889. This is the first monument to the poet in Russia and one of the main attractions of Pyatigorsk. It was erected using voluntary donations, and money was collected by the whole world for more than ten years. In 1881, a competition was announced for the best design of the monument; the winner was the sculptor A. M. Opekushin, the author of the well-known monument to A. S. Pushkin in Moscow.

Monument to M.Yu. Lermontov Photo: © Anna Kudryavtseva

“Lermontov's House” is the most famous attraction and the most visited museum in Pyatigorsk. This is what people call the State Museum-Reserve of M. Yu. Lermontov , created in the house where the poet spent his last days, composed his last poems, and where the body of the murdered poet was brought after the duel. The interior of this house was recreated according to the descriptions of the poet’s contemporaries; it contains things that M. Yu. Lermontov used during his lifetime. In the former house of General P. S. Verzilin, ataman of the Caucasian Cossack Line Army, where the poet often visited in the summer of 1841 and where he was challenged to a duel by Martynov, there is a literary exhibition of the museum dedicated to the theme “M. Yu. Lermontov in the Caucasus.” And in the former house of I.V. Umanov , where the poet visited his friends in 1841, there is a department “Lermontov in fine arts”.

We recommend that you read reviews about visiting the museum: Valentina “Lermontov’s House in Pyatigorsk” and Olga “Through Lermontov’s Places”

“Lermontov’s House” Photo: © ValentinaD

Tsvetnik Park is the oldest park in Pyatigorsk and for almost two centuries the center of resort life, a favorite place for relaxation and walks for local residents and guests of the city. This cozy corner was created in 1828, and the famous architects Bernardazzi brothers worked on its improvement. One of the first visitors to the new park was A.S. Pushkin. For the abundance of flower beds, the park was called the “Flower Garden”. In 1907, according to the design of architect S.I. Gushchin, a wonderful airy building for the coffee shop of confectioner A.A. Gukasov was built, and a carved wooden arch in the Art Nouveau style was erected nearby. It was then that the Tsvetnik park acquired the appearance that can be seen now. The monument to Kisa Vorobyaninov , a famous character in the film adaptation of the novel by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov “12 Chairs”, filmed by Leonid Gaidai, was installed near the coffee shop today.

Entrance to the Tsvetnik park Photo: © Julia Alisova

Diana's Grotto is a cave artificially carved into the rock on the slope of Mount Goryachaya, decorated with columns of cut stone, where M. Yu. Lermontov and his friends held a ball a week before his death. This grotto was built in 1831 by the Bernardazzi brothers in honor of the expedition of General G. A. Emanuel to the foot of Elbrus, organized in 1829. On this expedition, Kabardian Kilar Khashirov made the first human ascent of Elbrus, the highest mountain in the Caucasus. Two cast-iron memorial plaques in Russian and Arabic were installed in the grotto in honor of this event, which were taken to the museum in 1909.

According to contemporaries, M. Yu. Lermontov was a frequent visitor to Diana’s grotto; there is a memorial plaque about this on the wall inside. The grotto is named after the goddess Diana, the patroness of hunting in ancient Roman mythology.

Diana's Grotto Photo: © Olga

The building of the Lermontov Gallery appeared in the park in 1901, the year of the 60th anniversary of the death of M. Yu. Lermontov, and therefore was named after the great poet. At the beginning of the 20th century, resorts were at the peak of popularity; there was a need to provide vacationers with everything they needed for leisure and entertainment. Then they decided to build a new gallery in the Flower Garden, which was the main place for walks of the “water society”. This unusual building has survived to this day almost unchanged. Now it belongs to the State Philharmonic on the CMS; the gallery has a concert and exhibition hall. Once upon a time, many famous people performed here, including Chaliapin, Ermolova, Sobinov, Mayakovsky, M. Balakirev, etc. Keep an eye on the posters; many interesting concerts and exhibitions are taking place here and now.

Fountain “Lucky Catch” in front of the Lermontov Gallery Photo: © ValentinaD

Lermontov's grotto was made by the Bernardazzi brothers in 1829 during the arrangement of Emanuel Park. This grotto is of natural origin; the small cave has only been slightly deepened. In 1860, the grotto began to be called Lermontovsky, as it was believed that from here M. Yu. Lermontov observed the “water society”. In “Princess Mary” this grotto is the meeting place between Pechorin and Vera.

Lermontov's Grotto Photo: © olgazav59

The Academic Gallery is one of the oldest drinking galleries in Pyatigorsk. This white stone gallery, reminiscent of Italian Renaissance palazzos, was built in 1847–1849 according to the design of the Kavminvod architect S.I. Upton. The academic gallery became an academic gallery in 1928 in memory of the 200th anniversary of the Academy of Sciences; before that it was “Elizabetinskaya” after the source, named so in 1811 by F. Haas, who discovered it.

Academic gallery Photo: © Sergey Makhinin

The Aeolian Harp , a round gazebo with columns, was built in the early 1830s according to the design of the Bernardazzi brothers. A wooden case with two harps was built into the stone floor of the rotunda; the weather vane on the dome of the gazebo, turning under the influence of the wind, set the device in motion, touching the strings, and melodious sounds were heard. That is why the gazebo received the name “Aeolian Harp”. M.Yu. Lermontov visited the gazebo more than once; it is mentioned in his story “Princess Mary”: “On the steep rock where the pavilion called the Aeolian Harp was built, lovers of views stuck out and pointed a telescope at Elbrus.”

Gazebo “Eolian Harp” Photo: © ValentinaD

The place of M. Yu. Lermontov's duel is a clearing on the northwestern slope of Mount Mashuk, where on July 15, 1841 the poet died in a duel with N. S. Martynov. For the 100th anniversary of the birth of M. Yu. Lermontov, a monument was erected here - a pyramidal obelisk made of Kislovodsk dolomite, where in a niche there is a bust of the poet in the uniform of an officer of the Tenginsky infantry regiment. The author of the monument is sculptor B. M. Mikeshin.

Monument at the site of the duel M.Yu. Lermontov Photo: © Olga

This is not all the interesting things that can be seen in Pyatigorsk.

More information in the article Attractions of Pyatigorsk. The advice on what to see in Pyatigorsk in 1 day will also come in handy.

Museums of Pyatigorsk in 1 day

It is quite possible to visit the two main museums of Pyatigorsk - the “Museum of Local Lore” and the “State Museum-Reserve of M. Yu. Lermontov” in one day, or choose the one that is most interesting to you.

The most visited museum in Pyatigorsk is the State Museum-Reserve of M. Yu. Lermontov. This is not surprising, Pyatigorsk is a city inextricably linked with the name of Lermontov. The museum was opened in 1912 in the house where the poet spent the last two months of his life and wrote a number of poems. It was here that the poems “I Go Out Alone on the Road” and “The Sea Princess” were created. After the duel, the body of the murdered poet was brought to this house, and he was buried from here. The interior of this house was recreated according to the descriptions of the poet’s contemporaries; it contains things that M. Yu. Lermontov used during his life.

Now the museum occupies an entire block. In the former house of General P. S. Verzilin, ataman of the Caucasian Cossack Line Army, where the poet often visited in the summer of 1841 and where he was challenged to a duel by Martynov, there is a literary exhibition of the museum dedicated to the theme “M. Yu. Lermontov in the Caucasus.”

Next door, the corner house of the museum quarter is the former house of I.V. Umanov. Lermontov visited his friends here in 1841. For example, his colleague in the Grodno Hussar Regiment A.I. Arnoldi lived here. The department “Lermontov in Fine Arts” is located in the house of I.V. Umanov.

The Lermontov Museum includes the house of A. A. Alyabyev. This is the house of Major Karabutova, where in 1832 the famous Russian composer A. A. Alyabyev, who was undergoing treatment in Pyatigorsk, rented an apartment. Here he created several works on the Caucasian theme. This house has two exhibition halls where you can get acquainted with paintings and graphic works from the museum’s collection, and personal exhibitions of artists are held. One of the sections of the exhibition is dedicated to A. A. Alyabyev’s stay in the Caucasus. There is also a cozy concert hall.

We recommend that you read reviews about visiting the museum: from Valentina “Lermontov’s House in Pyatigorsk” and Olga “Around Lermontov’s places.”

House M.Yu. Lermontov Photo: © ValentinaD

Pyatigorsk Museum of Local Lore is one of the oldest museums in the region; it was founded in 1903. Its permanent exhibition includes four exhibitions, and temporary exhibitions are also often organized from its own and borrowed funds.

What can you see in the permanent exhibitions of the museum:

• The exhibition “Natural Features of the Caucasian Mineral Waters Region” presents models of the Mashuk and Beshtau mountains, relief maps of the region, collections of minerals and minerals, paleontological finds, stuffed birds and animals. It is here that the skull and skeletal parts of the Southern Elephant can be seen;
• The exhibition “Pages of the History of Pyatigorsk” presents archaeological finds from various eras, samples of weapons from the 18th - early 20th centuries, materials on the history of the city from the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, historical maps, household items of the inhabitants of Pyatigorsk;
• The exhibition “Great Victory” is dedicated to the Great Patriotic War and contains materials on the battle for the Caucasus and the defense of Pyatigorsk, photographs, awards and personal belongings of city residents who took part in the war, samples of weapons and military equipment;
• The exhibition “Giving Relics and Memory” is dedicated to the people who helped shape the museum’s fund.

The museum also has a Fine Arts Hall, where rotating exhibitions from the museum’s funds, private collections and third-party organizations are held.

Entrance to the Pyatigorsk Museum of Local Lore Photo: © Official website of the museum

Natural beauty

The main attraction of Pyatigorsk and its surroundings, of course, is its unique nature - mountains, lakes, nature reserves. Within the city are the Mashuk and Goryachaya mountains, the most popular places to visit, as there are not only healing springs with mineral water, for which thousands of tourists come to the CMS every year, but also man-made monuments.

Mount Mashuk is a natural monument in the resort area of ​​Pyatigorsk, most of its surface is covered with forests, and in the depths of the mountain five types of mineral springs originate, the waters of which are used for medicinal and preventive purposes in the resorts of Caucasian Mineral Waters. Your hiking routes will definitely lead you to the mountain, as many of the city’s attractions are located on its slopes. There are a lot of interesting things to see at the top of the mountain. For example, “Gate of the Sun” , several observation platforms with magnificent views of the city and surrounding area, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see the handsome two-headed Elbrus .

Perhaps everyone has heard about Proval - a natural well, at the bottom of which there is a karst lake of turquoise-colored mineral water. M.Yu. Lermontov describes it in his story “Princess Mary”, but in those days there was no tunnel that leads to the underground lake; the walking public climbed the path and looked at the lake from above. The tunnel was dug in 1858, and until 1880 people swam in the lake for medicinal purposes. Now a popular tourist attraction, here you will have the opportunity to take a photo with Ostap Bender, who sold tickets to enter Proval. By the way, in the famous film by Leonid Gaidai “The Twelve Chairs” Lermontov’s grotto was “filmed” in the role of Proval.

Monument to Ostap Bender at the entrance to Proval Photo: © Anna Kudryavtseva

Mount Goryachaya is a spur of the southern slope of Mount Mashuk, the ancestor of the resort and the city of Pyatigorsk. Even in ancient times, the inhabitants of these places carved stone pools on its top, filled with freely flowing healing water. These pools were used by soldiers of the Constantinogorsk fortress at the end of the 18th century, and later primitive baths were built on the mountain for the first resort visitors. There is an openwork Chinese gazebo and an observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the city and Mount Beshtau, and the main mountain of Pyatigorsk, Mashuk, is clearly visible. In 1903, for the 100th anniversary of the resort, a sculpture of an eagle , which became the emblem of not only the Pyatigorsk resort, but also the entire Caucasian Mineral Waters region. Its author embodied in stone a mountain legend about an eagle that was fatally stung by a snake and found deliverance from imminent death in a stream of healing water on Goryachaya Mountain. Favorite place for photo shoots of tourists.

View from Mount Goryachaya to the city and Mount Beshtau Photo: © ValentinaD

Pyatigorsk is considered the richest resort in the Caucasus in terms of natural resources; more than 40 types of healing waters come to the surface within the city.

Necessary information about SPA and springs in the section Galleries and drinking springs of Pyatigorsk

Architecture

Lenin Square

You can explore the main square of Pyatigorsk on your own while walking around the city. It is located in close proximity to the Upper Market bus station.

The dominant feature of the square is a long staircase that ends with a pompous monument to the Leader of the Peoples. Opposite is the city administration building. Other attractions include:

• Alley of Heroes and Knights of the Order of Glory,
• fountain,
• Eternal flame,
• monument to K. L. Khetagurov (Ossetian playwright, poet and ethnographer).

Elsa's house

In 1904, confectioner Arshak Gukasov gave his wife a 3-story mansion, in which the lady organized a boarding house. Each room had running water - a rarity for those years. There was no end to the guests, and the family business brought a stable income.

After the revolution, the house was nationalized. According to one version, the owner was killed and walled up in the basement, and the boarding house was converted into the Red Star sanatorium. His guests often heard screams, sighs and strange sounds, and suicides began to occur among vacationers. Local residents claim that Elsa's spirit is to blame.

Now the sanatorium is closed, the mansion is dilapidated and needs major repairs.

Second Athos Monastery

In 1904, on the slope of Mount Beshtau, monks from the Old Athos monastery founded a holy monastery. Since there was already one Athos monastery in the Caucasus, the new one was called Second Athos. In addition to religious buildings, the complex included a farm, a cheese factory, a fish pond and a hospital.

After the revolution, the monastery was closed and then completely destroyed. The revival of the shrine began in the early 1990s. The new buildings were built according to the design of the architect Stoforandov.

Their appearance is significantly different from the original, but this did not prevent the monastery from becoming a popular attraction. The 3-story fraternal building of an unusual cylindrical shape and the St. George Church deserve special attention.

The Titz brothers' dacha

The original two-story building in the Art Nouveau style was erected in 1903 according to the design of the architect Khodzhaev. Construction lasted only a year - an absolute record for that time, and yellowish Mashuk stone was used as the main material.

Initially, the architecture of the dacha was devoid of strict symmetry. After it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Military Sanitary Administration, global restructuring began. Porticoes, turrets, mezzanines, balconies and other elements appeared, which did not at all worsen the appearance of the building, but made it even more interesting.

Nowadays, in the former dacha of the Titz brothers, one of the buildings of the sanatorium of the Ministry of Defense is located.

House of Princess Mary

The one-story building, located in the old part of Pyatigorsk, was built in 1823. Then it was called the Rebrov House - in honor of its owner. At the end of the 19th century, the building, which had begun to deteriorate, was covered with brick for beauty and reliability. It is in this form that it has survived to this day.

The Hungarian painter Mikhail Zichy brought fame to the estate. While creating illustrations for the work “A Hero of Our Time,” he decided that this house was ideal for the residence of the literary princess Mary.

Academic (Elizabeth) Gallery

The snow-white building on one of the spurs of Mashuk is visible from almost anywhere in the city. It appeared in 1849 on the site of the first drinking spring - before that, only mineral baths were common among holidaymakers.

The construction of the structure was ordered by Prince Vorontsov and named it in honor of Empress Elizabeth. The project was entrusted to the famous architect Samuel Upton. He created an airy structure with columns and porticoes, so similar to an Italian palazzo. In the 1930s, an observation deck and stairs appeared nearby. Later the gallery was renamed Academic.

The healing spring dried up long ago, but the architectural object has not lost its charm. It's worth admiring.

Fountain "Fairy Tale"

One of the oldest and most interesting fountains in Pyatigorsk has several names: “Fairy Tale”, “Grandfathers” and “Gnomes”.

The first fountain on this site appeared in the 1890-1900s. It was a huge jet, shooting upward to a height of up to 10 m. For such unprecedented power, the resort public called the fountain “Giant”.

Despite all its power, the hydraulic structure was not very beautiful, so in 1910 it was decided to rebuild it. The pipe was replaced with a round bowl, in the middle of which a stone mountain with caves and hanging stalactites appeared. Fabulous bearded creatures, resembling either gnomes or quaint old men, “settled” inside the mountain.

During an air raid during World War II, the fountain was destroyed, and it was restored only in 1947 thanks to the assistance of the famous sculptor Khaustov.

Spassky Cathedral

Construction of the temple began in 1847, but work had to be stopped because cracks appeared on the walls. The structure was dismantled almost to the ground, engineering errors were corrected, and construction continued.

After the revolution, the Bolsheviks blew up the temple, and in the 1990s, fundraising began to restore the shrine. A snow-white church in the Russian-Byzantine style appeared on the old foundation. The southern facade is decorated with chimes, and inside the church there are rich frescoes. The iconostasis here is also extremely unusual - it is made according to the canons of Palekh painting.

Health paths

The Caucasian Mineral Waters region is a generally recognized all-Russian health resort. Even if you came to relax on your own, without treatment in one of the Pyatigorsk sanatoriums, you can take the opportunity to take care of your health. Have you heard about health path - a treatment method of dosed ascent through mountainous terrain at a certain angle of ascent, walking pace, and number of stops? In Russia, the first medical routes - “paths of health” were laid precisely on the KMV, in the medical park of neighboring Kislovodsk.

In Pyatigorsk, of course, there are also health paths, where during walks a person is simultaneously affected by the climate and the surrounding nature. There are three routes with a total length of 31.4 kilometers, differing in the degree of physical activity. The Pyatigorsk health paths are interesting because they are not only therapeutic, but also educational.

All routes of health paths are plotted on the map of Pyatigorsk in the 2GIS program. They start at source No. 1, where there is an information board with route diagrams.

Routes No. 1 and No. 2 are the same in length - 9600 meters, they differ only in the direction of travel and the descent from the mountain or ascent along the route. On the route you can see the cascading fountain, the Mikhailovskaya Gallery, and “Proval”. Moving along the ring road around Mount Mashuk, you pass by Komsomolskaya Polyana, a monument to the victims of fascism and the site of M. Yu. Lermontov’s duel.

Route No. 3 is slightly longer - 10,800 meters. Partially it goes along route No. 2, and then, past the forester’s house, it turns to the observation deck at the top of Mount Mashuk, from where a magnificent panorama of the city and the Caucasus Mountains opens. Those who are not confident in their abilities can make the route a little easier by using the services of a cable car to climb the mountain, and descend from the mountain along the path path.

View of Pyatigorsk from Mount Mashuk Photo: © Sergey Makhinin

If time is short?

If time is short, there are 2 options:

1. Use an electric car with an audio guide
2. Reduce the program to the essentials

Electric cars run on one of 3 routes:

• Flower garden - Failure. 40 minutes, 350/150 rub.
• Lermontov places. 1 hour, 500/250 rub.
• Comprehensive: both excursions at once. 1.5 hours, 700/400 rub.

Not a bad option to save time and effort.

Otherwise, it is better for you to shorten the route and leave the Lermontov Museum, the Ropeway and the failure alone. You can stroll through the central historical part of the city, going up to the Aeolian Harp and the Academic Gallery.

This is a good half-day walking route.

Below I will give a brief description of all the objects that you definitely need to see along the way. We will also take into account logistics and interesting features of the road.

We will list them according to the route with the balloon. We walk around clockwise.

Interesting events

The cities of Caucasian Mineralnye Vody host various interesting events throughout the year - festivals, exhibitions, concerts. Event tourism is actively developing in the Stavropol Territory. Keep an eye on the posters, maybe something will catch your attention. To see an interesting event, you can go to nearby resort towns. In the last days of May, all the resort towns of the Caucasian Mineral Waters host the “Resort Seasons” festival , which combines three components: culture, recreation and sports. For example, in Pyatigorsk in the Tsvetnik park there is a gastronomic festival “SyrVino”, in Essentuki on Teatralnaya Square there is a musical concert, and in Zheleznovodsk there is a light show of balloons.

In June, on Russia Day, the festival of national cultures “Round Dance of Nations” is held in Pyatigorsk, bringing together representatives of all nations and nationalities living in the North Caucasus into a single round dance. Pyatigorsk is the most multinational city in the south of Russia; representatives of dozens of different nations live here in peace and harmony. As part of the festival, there are folk farmsteads where you can get acquainted with the traditions and cuisine of various peoples of the Caucasus. The program includes performances by singers, dancers and readers, and residents and guests of the city will be treated to dishes of national cuisine by Cossacks, Ossetians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Pyatigorsk Circassians, Tatars, Greeks, Poles, Ukrainians, Chechens, Ingush, Karachais and the peoples of Dagestan.

Singing fountains on Lenin Square Photo: © olgazav59

Let's get to know each other better?

When your first acquaintance with the city is over, and you are wondering what to see on your own and where else to go, pay attention to the insect museum. It contains a collection of butterflies from the Caucasus and South America - both dry exhibits and living representatives of the fauna. In addition to butterflies, beetles, spiders, scorpions, and lizards live here. Museum address: Kirova street, building 18.

In the insect museum.

If your holiday in the resort city falls on May 9, we recommend taking part in events dedicated to Victory Day. According to tradition, a military parade will be held on the street named after Lieutenant General Kozlov, and a festive concert will be held in Victory Park.

the “Festival of the 80s” concert in Pyatigorsk on May 22, at 19:00 At the Central Stadium (Dunaevskogo str., building 5), the groups “Mirage”, Bad Boys Blue, Modern Talking band with Thomas Anders, as well as CCCATCH will sing their hits. Ticket prices range from 1,700 to 6,600 rubles.

The Pyatigorsk May poster includes a Stand Up show by comedian Pavel Volya. It will take place on May 27, at 19:00, in the Kamerton concert hall (the same address as the stadium - Dunaevsky St., 5). Ticket prices range from 1,000 to 6,000 rubles.

Where to swim

Summer in the Stavropol region is hot, so the question is quite understandable: where can you swim or spend time near the water? The only place in Pyatigorsk where swimming is usually allowed is Lake Novopyatigorsk , so in the summer hundreds of water and sun lovers flock here. This is the largest artificial reservoir on the CMS, opened in 1965. Every year, before the June opening of the swimming season, the bottom of the reservoir is cleaned, the lawns in the recreation area are mowed, flowers are planted and benches are painted. On one side, the shore of the lake is lined with slabs, this is where swimming is organized, there is a boat and rescue station, a first aid station and a cafe. You can get to Novopyatigorsk Lake by public transport.

Fans of water parks will have to go to Kislovodsk, where the water park of the sanatorium “Valley of Narzanov” , and visits are available to everyone, not only to those vacationing in the sanatorium. Closer, in the village of Inozemtsevo, about seven kilometers from Pyatigorsk, there is the City of the Sun water park with seven pools with heated water. There is a 78-meter long spiral slide "Toboggan" with extreme turns, a vertical drop slide "Cannon", an extreme slide "Cyclone" and this is not all the entertainment of this water park. Both water parks are open-air and operate only in summer, when the temperature reaches +25 °C.

Novopyatigorsk Lake Photo: © Maria Kalinina

Cultural attractions and entertainment

Mikhailovskaya Gallery

The Mikhailovskaya Gallery owes its appearance to the radon source of the same name, discovered at this site in 1809. After a series of studies, the healing properties of the water were confirmed, and the source was named in honor of Prince Mikhailovsky.

Construction of the pavilion was delayed for many years. A wooden building in the oriental style appeared in the Tsvetnik park only in 1828. However, in 20 years it has become very dilapidated. The shabby pavilion was replaced by a stone structure with characteristic Moorish features. Unfortunately, due to high humidity, it also did not last long.

In 1925, the mineral spring was brought to the surface, the building was restored and the Resort Museum was placed in it. Today works by contemporary Russian artists are exhibited here. There is a coffee shop.

Museum of Local Lore

The museum, established back in 1905, was originally called the Mountain Museum and told about the cultural and geological wealth of the Caucasus. Over time, the collection grew and was replenished with new exhibits, which allowed the museum to receive a higher status—local history.

The museum now occupies a beautiful 19th-century building that once housed a sanatorium. The exhibition area is about 360 m2, and the collections contain over 126 thousand exhibits.

4 permanent exhibitions are available to visitors:

• The natural history and history departments are located on the ground floor . Here you can see maps of the area, archaeological finds, rock samples, stuffed rare and extinct animals, photographs of Pyatigorsk from different years and other documents.
• The entire second floor is dedicated to military-historical and patriotic exhibitions . Artifacts related to the Second World War, as well as weapons, are stored there.

Operetta theater

The regional theater was formerly called the Musical Comedy Theater, and performances for children and adults were staged on its stage. Thanks to this approach, sold-out crowds were ensured. In 1997, the theater changed its repertoire and received its modern name - operetta. Every year 2 new performances are produced here.

Not long ago, the building was renovated: the foyer and auditorium were improved, and the acoustics were improved.

The architectural appearance of the theater is an undoubted adornment of the city. The structure, similar to a fairy-tale castle with turrets and high windows, stands on the slope of Mount Goryachaya. The façade is a classic example of modernism with elements of classicism.

Water park "City of the Sun"

The water amusement park is located in the village of Inozemtsevo, about 15 km from Pyatigorsk. It runs from mid-June until the end of summer.

Vacationers are offered 13 attractions (slides, water cannons, waterfalls and even their own river) and 7 heated swimming pools. For children there is a special area with three shallow pools from 40 to 70 cm, as well as two small slides with a sloping descent. In addition, the water park has its own small hotel, restaurant, spa and cafe.

Insect Museum

An unusual museum opened in 1995 in the Palace of Culture on Kirova Street. His collection includes over 1000 dried and living exhibits: cockroaches, scorpions, butterflies, spiders, mantises, lizards, frogs, snakes.

Entomological artifacts were found in the North Caucasus, and also brought from different parts of the world.

Of particular interest is the pavilion with tropical butterflies. Thanks to the special microclimate, the variegated beauties feel great and flutter from flower to flower.

Upper market

The unusually colorful Upper Market of Pyatigorsk is the place where you should go to feel the atmosphere of the city. The first shopping arcades appeared here in 1956. At that time the bazaar was called “Collective Farm” and fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products were sold here.

Over time, the market has grown and changed significantly. Now this is a neat loft space filled with small shops that offer a wide range of goods: from food and drinks, to clothes, shoes and souvenirs.

Be sure to visit the market food court - they serve dishes from popular cuisines from around the world.

Summer holidays with children

If you come to Pyatigorsk with a child, do not doubt that he will be interested here; the city has a sufficient amount of entertainment on a wide variety of topics. Prepare in advance, plan your trip so that your vacation is easy and enjoyable for the whole family.

The Park of Culture and Leisure named after S. M. Kirov is always popular for family leisure , which has been pleasing citizens and guests of the city for almost two centuries. There is a large children's town "Miracle City", a petting zoo "Berendeevo", a lake where you can rent a boat or catamaran, a climbing wall and various attractions, including two Ferris wheels.

There is also a zoo in the entertainment and hotel complex “Park Rodnik”, where you can see more than forty species of animals. Here the animals are well-groomed and are in comfortable conditions, your children will be able to get acquainted with the world of wildlife without leaving civilization, and see llamas, Cameroonian goats and the Arctic marbled fox, sika deer, Siberian bears and African lions, silver pheasants and magnificent peacocks. .

For rock climbing enthusiasts, there is a family-friendly, jungle-themed climb. There are more than a dozen climbing walls with a height of 9.5 meters each, two rope courses, a tubing slide, attractions “Vulcan”, “Ladder”, “Pear Jump”, a “Jungle” maze, a huge trampoline arena and an area for children with a dry pool, trampolines and a maze.

There are children's entertainment centers in large shopping centers in the Vesna shopping center, Znayka in the Arbat shopping center, Planet of Games in the Plaza shopping center, and the Rabbit trampoline center in the Zhakko shopping center.

Carousel in the Park of Culture and Leisure named after. CM. Kirov Photo: © grau59

An interesting adventure for your children will be the ascent to Mount Mashuk using a cable car; they will be interested in seeing the city from a bird's eye view. You can also take a fascinating trip in comfortable electric cars to the underground lake “Proval”, “Gate of the Sun” on Mount Mashuk or to the site of Lermontov’s duel. It will be useful for schoolchildren to hear the story accompanying the trip about the rich history of the resort, along the streets of which Lermontov, Pushkin, Tolstoy and other famous personalities walked.

A win-win option, of course, is the “Valley of the Sun” water park, where there is something to do for both children and adults. There are two children's pools with a depth of 70 and 40 cm, as well as children's slides. Children especially love the slide, which has a tipping bucket.

For schoolchildren, we recommend purchasing a tour of Lermontov’s places, especially since many of these places are located in Pyatigorsk.

Water park of the sanatorium “Valley of Narzanov” Photo: © Official website of the sanatorium

Walking areas and viewing platforms

Park of Culture and Leisure named after Kirov

This is a favorite vacation spot for Pyatigorsk residents and resort guests. The recreational area was established on the site of a former nursery. Rare trees and shrubs were grown there, which were then sold throughout the North Caucasus.

Local enthusiasts laid out alleys and installed benches - this is how the State Garden appeared in 1835. After the revolution, the park was renamed in honor of Karl Liebknecht, and the current name appeared in 1952.

The KiO park has attractions, cafes, restaurants and a small petting zoo. There is a pond with swans and a boat station.

Gazebo "Eolian Harp"

The rotunda in the classical style “Aeolian Harp” is an observation deck and an architectural monument of local significance. It appeared in 1831 on the Mikhailovsky spur of Mount Mashuk. This place has always been popular with vacationers due to its magnificent views. The name of the structure is given in honor of the ancient god Aeolus, who commanded the winds.

As a prototype for the gazebo, the Bernardazzi brothers (authors of the project) took the “Temple of Aeolus”, located in Kew Park in the suburbs of London.

This Pyatigorsk landmark is beautiful not only during the day, but also in the evening, when the multi-colored lights turn on.

Gate of the Sun (Gate of Love)

The stone arch on the observation deck of Mount Mashuk appeared in the 1990s. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of mountain landscapes, valleys and city blocks. People come here for picturesque photographs - especially beautiful shots are taken at sunset.

The second name “Gate of Love” appeared thanks to the newlyweds, for whom visiting this place became part of the celebration.

Necropolis

The oldest cemetery in the North Caucasus is the Pyatigorsk necropolis, founded in 1824. In 1902, a church was built here in honor of Bishop Lazar. The golden-domed masterpiece in the style of Russian classicism stands on the site of a temple destroyed by a powerful earthquake at the end of the 19th century.

The necropolis was closed for burials, and it turned into a place of historical memory. Prominent citizens of the city, doctors, artists, scientists are buried here. Some tombstones impress with their extraordinary beauty.

Lermontov’s grave was also here, but at the request of his grandmother, the body was reburied in the family estate. Now on the site of the former burial there is a monument to the poet.

Perkala Dendrological Park

Near Pyatigorsk, in the village of Energetik, there is a dendrological park. The area of ​​the specially protected natural area is more than 13 hectares. More than 100 species of Red Book plants and over 150 medicinal, fruit and exotic representatives of the flora grow on it.

In addition to scientific work, park employees conduct interesting excursions.

"Chinese" gazebo

At the highest point of the Tsvetnik park, on the western slope of Goryachaya Mountain, there is a graceful Chinese gazebo with a characteristic curved roof.

The first building appeared here at the end of the 19th century. The wooden gazebo was decorated with multi-colored pieces of glass and was called “Colored”. After the revolution, it turned into the Freedom gazebo. Over time, the structure fell into disrepair and was dismantled.

The “Chinese” metal gazebo that tourists see today was installed in 1976. But it still offers magnificent views of the surrounding area.

Stories, routes and reviews from tourists

If you are planning a trip to Pyatigorsk, we recommend that you get acquainted with real reviews of tourists or stories of local residents, since very often it is from there that you can glean interesting routes, unusual places and unusual ideas, find answers to many questions, useful tips for organizing a trip, impressions of hotels, sights seen, cafes and restaurants visited.

We will tell you not only what you can see and do, but also what you can bring from Pyatigorsk as a gift to your family and friends or as a souvenir to friends and work colleagues.

What to bring from Pyatigorsk

Take a look at the stories of tourists:

• Impressions of Olga’s trip in the story “The City Where the Soul Resting”
• Routes around the city from Sergei Makhinin “Walk around Pyatigorsk”
• Valentina's photo album “Pyatigorsk at the end of August 2020”

We also remind you that the site has a “Questions and Answers” , where, if necessary, you can not only check with experts for up-to-date information about specific city attractions, but also seek advice on issues that interest you regarding your planned trip to Pyatigorsk.

The stories of tourists who visited Pyatigorsk at other times of the year, not only in summer, will also be useful.

All tourist reviews about the trip to Pyatigorsk on Tourist. RU

Monument to General A.P. Ermolov Photo: © Anna Kudryavtseva

Park "Flower Garden"

And we move on, and finally, passing the Colonnade

, we find ourselves at the entrance to the famous “Flower Garden” park, where our educational tour will continue.

But before you enter the park, admire the light and openwork building to the right of the entrance. This is the former coffee shop of A.A. Gukasov

, a Pyatigorsk merchant, famous for her baked goods at the beginning of the 20th century. The style of construction is very unusual - both elements of modernism and oriental motifs are visible in it. Elongated balconies on the second floor with canopies, turrets and stucco moldings - everything gives the building a very fancy and unique look.

And finally, through the beautiful openwork gates we enter the territory of an amazing Pyatigorsk attraction - the Tsvetnik Park.

The park, which was once laid out here on the site of a swamp by Bernardazzi architects, has grown greatly over the period of its history and has been enriched with architectural structures. It is small in size, and you don’t need much time to explore and photograph its attractions - the monument to Kisa Vorobyaninov, the Lermontov Gallery, the Yermolov Baths, Diana’s Grotto and others. Along the way, you can try the wonderful Pyatigorsk mineral water in the Drinking Gallery and buy a souvenir as a souvenir.

Where to go from Pyatigorsk on your own

The location of Pyatigorsk provides an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the natural attractions of the North Caucasus, the resort towns of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and the Caucasian republics. Let's look at where you can go on your own.

No less interesting than Pyatigorsk, rich in attractions and accessible for an independent one-day trip, are the resort cities of Kislovodsk, Essentuki and Zheleznovodsk. The most popular of them is Kislovodsk , where the easiest way to get from Pyatigorsk is in 50 minutes by train. Take a walk along Kurortny Boulevard , where resort life is in full swing at any time of the day. Here are the main architectural attractions of Kislovodsk: the main Narzan baths and the Narzan Gallery , the most beautiful flower beds, restaurants, cafes and, of course, a magnificent light and music fountain that can surprise even those who have seen a lot on tourist routes.

Be sure to take a walk around the famous Resort Park , where you can enjoy a leisurely walk and paths of varying degrees of difficulty. The main thing is to choose a route within your capabilities.

Tips for preparing your trip will be helpful:

“What to see in Kislovodsk in 1 day” “What to see in Kislovodsk in the summer”

Reviews from tourists about a trip to Kislovodsk

The building of the “Main Narzan Baths” on Kurortny Boulevard in Kislovodsk Photo: © Natalia Semchina

The nearest resort town from Pyatigorsk is Essentuki , which can be reached by train in less than 20 minutes. The main attraction of the city is the Resort Park , so summer is the most fertile time for traveling to Essentuki for tourism purposes. The park contains many city attractions: the Oreanda gazebo , Gallery of Source No. 17 , the half-timbered building of the Tsander Institute of Mechanical Therapy , a flower clock with a beautiful gazebo, a sculpture of an eagle - the emblem of all resort towns of the KMS, and much more. Try the water in the gallery of source No. 4 , the most popular water of Essentuki, and climb the stairs to the Upper Park to the building of the Nikolaev Baths , which have been operating since 1898.

Here you can see the famous sanatoriums of the resort and pre-revolutionary mansions, and architecture lovers will be interested in one of the most beautiful buildings of the resort - the Semashko Mud Baths , made in the style of ancient Roman baths.

More information about the city in the materials:

General Guide to Essentuki What to see in Essentuki in 1 day

Reviews of tourists about the trip to Essentuki

Essentuki Resort Park Photo: © Anna Kudryavtseva

We invite you not to ignore Zheleznovodsk - the smallest, most comfortable and greenest of the resort towns of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. The easiest way to go from Pyatigorsk is by bus. Here you can see the former “Palace of the Emir of Bukhara” , the Pushkin Gallery , and try the waters of two famous Zheleznovodsk springs - “Slavyanovskaya” and “Smirnovskaya” , to which many generations of holidaymakers owe their health.

There is a lot of interesting things in the Resort Park of Zheleznovodsk, and the famous Cascade Staircase , the longest in the south of Russia, was recently restored. Its length is about 900 meters, and along its entire length the staircase is decorated with flower beds, sculptures, fountains, original lanterns and comfortable benches. It descends from the square in front of the “Smirnovsky Spring” in Resort Park to Resort Lake , where there is also something to interest city guests: several recreation areas, many original piers, a children’s playground, a fishing spot and a boat station. But most importantly, in the summer you can swim here! There is a beach section near the lake, with stylish changing rooms, sun loungers and umbrellas. Take this opportunity to end your walk around Zheleznovodsk with a swim in Resort Lake.

Perhaps you will find it useful to make a decision:

Reviews from tourists about a trip to Zheleznovodsk

Cascade staircase in Zheleznovodsk park Photo: © ValentinaD

What to see on your own

From Pyatigorsk we recommend going to neighboring resort towns. For example, in just 11 minutes you can get to Essentuki by high-speed Lastochka.

Essentuki, we are already on our way!

Take time to visit the pump room. The largest is presented in the Central Drinking Gallery. Here they not only drink mineral water, but also get aesthetic pleasure from the beauty.

The building is recognized as an architectural monument. The premises are decorated with flowers, fountains, mosaics, and stained glass windows. In the gallery you can buy products for health and home spa treatments.

Where to stay in Pyatigorsk

Pyatigorsk is a large resort city offering guests different types of accommodation. There are several sanatoriums offering healing with medicinal waters, hundreds of 3-4 star hotels and even more guest houses with apartments for those who appreciate home comfort.

It is convenient for an inquisitive traveler to choose accommodation in the historical center of Pyatigorsk, where all the main attractions are located, revealing it as a resort. It is located in the eastern part of the city at the foot of Mount Mashuk.

• Pyatigorsk Hotels
• Hostels for Budget Travelers
• Flats and apartments
• Guest houses in Pyatigorsk

Saving on travel by booking accommodation on Booking.com with cashback is not only pleasant, but also useful for new holiday opportunities. Cashback promotion on Tourist. RU

Dawn with a view of Elbrus Photo: © Natalia Semchina

Academic gallery

And then go to the Nagorny Park

, which begins Diana's grotto, and climb the embankment paths to the Academic Gallery.
On the way, be sure to take a photo with the main symbol of the KavMinVod - the Eagle
, and at least admire
the Chinese and Aeolian pavilions
. And if you have the strength and time to reach them.

In the Academic Gallery you can visit the Insect Museum

.
But from the gallery or from the Aeolian Harp gazebo (if you decide to go up to it), you need to move to the right along quiet Krasnoarmeyskaya Street (formerly Elizavetinskaya) to Gagarin Boulevard
.
You can, of course, take a bus and drive two stops to Lake Proval, but it’s better to walk. It will take a little time, but along the way you can explore modern and ancient sanatorium buildings, drink mineral water, breathe the wonderful Pyatigorsk air and lie in the “shameless baths”
.

Gagarin Boulevard

Gagarin Boulevard is an area that began to be developed only at the beginning of the 20th century. It was called then Provalsky

. Dachas, restaurants, sanatoriums, boarding houses were built here - over time, forming a single sanatorium-resort complex, which aspired to become a major resort center throughout Europe.

A tram ran here from the Flower Garden, electricity and running water were installed. In 1914, this part of Pyatigorsk was considered the best, most beautiful and comfortable.

Pirogov baths fit perfectly into this sanatorium-resort complex

(Gagarin Boulevard, 4), which we see on the right when exiting the boulevard from Krasnoarmeyskaya Street.

This elegant building with a drum turret was erected in 1914 (architect A.A. Kuznetsov

) in just 3 months. It resembles the building of the Ermolov Baths, which we saw in the Tsvetnik park. The outside of the building is decorated with decorative mosaic panels depicting scenes of thermal baths in Ancient Greece.

These baths were first called Tilicheevsky (after the director of the KavMinVod), then, in the 20s, they became Provalsky, and finally, in 1960, they received the name of an outstanding Russian surgeon - becoming Pirogovsky. After all, the great surgeon lived and worked in Pyatigorsk for a long time. A memorial plaque with a bas-relief of Pirogov appeared on the bath building, and in a niche there was a bust of the surgeon.

And behind the building of the Pirogov Baths there is still a swimming pool with hydrogen sulfide water in the open air. This is one of the so-called "Shameless Baths"

, existing in the city since its foundation. Those. a place where mineral water flowing to the surface is retained in stone recesses, creating unique healing ponds with running thermal water.

Low-income people used these free baths back in the old days, getting into them all together - men and women, hence their name - “Shameless”. And today you can see people who happily immerse themselves in hot hydrogen sulfide mineral water, receiving great pleasure from it and a kind of free treatment.

And we continue to follow the sanatorium-resort area of ​​Pyatigorsk - Gagarin Boulevard, admiring the wonderful natural landscapes and trying not to miss the pump rooms with mineral water. All the buildings that we see today belong to various sanatoriums. Ancient country houses stand out with dignity against the background of modern buildings. I would like to draw your attention to the first private country resort complex

from the Mashuk stone
“Sanitas”
(Gagarina Blvd., 19), where
the Pyatigorsk Clinic of the Research Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy
.

And also do not ignore the bright, elegant and light building with columns, turrets, stucco molding and an openwork balcony above the stairs. This is the former private house of the architect A.N. Klepinin

, built by him according to his design in 1905.
Nowadays it houses the third building of the Rodnik sanatorium
(23 Gagarina Blvd.). Nearby there is a modern high-rise building of the same sanatorium.

Prices: cheap!

In November, the low season begins in Pyatigorsk and prices tend to the lower limit. Let's find out how much an autumn vacation at a balneological resort will cost:

• the cost of an air ticket from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody and back is ≈ 5,600 rubles (Aeroflot) - choose a ticket on Aviasales.ru →
• the cost of a transfer from MinVod to Pyatigorsk according to the data is ≈ 1000 rubles when ordering through Kiwitaxi.ru →
• the cost of a train ticket from Moscow to Pyatigorsk is ≈ 2500 rubles (compartment) - find out the current price on Poezd.ru →
• a ride on a passing car on the same route ≈ 2300 rubles per passenger according to Blablacar.ru;
• daily accommodation in 3* hotels in a double room ≈ 2800 rubles - when booking on Hotellook.ru or Booking.com →
• daily accommodation in a rented apartment for 2 people ≈ from 1600 rubles when booking through the Sutochno.ru service →

• Now, while there is a risk of infection with Covid-19, we recommend, just in case, to take out medical insurance for the period of travel; it costs ≈ 50 rubles per day per person and can be issued online in 7 minutes, for example, on the website Cherehapa.ru →
• a ready-made tour to Pyatigorsk in November 2021 will cost ≈ 30,000 rubles for two for 6 days according to Travelata.ru, and if you pay before December 5 with a MIR card, you will save 20% of this amount (according to the federal program of Rostourism, within Cashback will be returned to the card within 5 days), in addition, here are promotional codes for additional savings.

Consider the typical expenses in November Pyatigorsk: drinking pots for mineral water - from 150 rubles, soap with healing mud - from 200 rubles, natural fur coats - from 8,000 to 45,000 rubles.

Don't forget to buy a drinking bottle for mineral water.

In conclusion, a review from Muscovite Alena Yelets will add color to your autumn holiday in Pyatigorsk:

“The weather in November depends on your luck. I found sunny days and torrential rains, and the fogs were so milky that it was better not to leave the hotel. What did I especially like? Bright orange parks, climbs to mountain peaks and crystal clear air that saturates the body to the last cell. I found out that there are 8 tram routes in Pyatigorsk, and decided to explore the city that way. Interestingly, the narrow-gauge railway has been operating here since 1903 and was opened for the 100th anniversary of the city. I traveled around the center and charming suburbs, and before leaving I went to Kislovodsk by train. The fantastic Kislovodsk park, the second largest in Europe, put a beautiful end to my journey.”

Autumn is the most beautiful time to relax in Pyatigorsk. In November you will find snow-capped peaks, hot springs and delicious Caucasian cuisine.

Author: Irina Mamedova

Article last updated: October 7, 2021