Top 20 attractions in Essentuki, Russia

Against the backdrop of the more popular Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk, the city of Essentuki may seem too small and unremarkable. But this is only at first glance - the town is so cozy and charming that you will not want to leave it. Of course, the entire infrastructure revolves around treatment and mineral springs. All conditions have been created for tourists here: drinking galleries, a magnificent park where you can walk for hours, picturesque architecture of the 19th - early 20th centuries.

People go to Essentuki to restore their health and enjoy the healing climate of the Caucasus. If there are not enough local attractions, then it will not be difficult to get to other KMV resorts from here, since they are all connected by a public transport network.

What to see and where to go in Essentuki?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Mineral springs

Essentuki is a well-known balneological resort since the times of Tsarist Russia, which is famous for its mineral springs. They were first discovered by Cossack settlers. Thanks to them, the development of tourism in the region became possible. The keys are concentrated in the resort area of ​​the city, as a rule, on the territory of sanatoriums. The famous "Essentuki-4" and "Essentuki-17" are located in the Kurortny Park.

Mud bath named after Semashko

The historical mud baths of the early 20th century, located in a magnificent building in the neoclassical style - the most impressive architectural monument of Essentuki. All buildings of the institution, around which the Kurortny Park is spread, occupy half a block in the city center. The building was built according to the project of the St. Petersburg architect E. F. Schretter. The work was completed in just 2 years, despite the outbreak of the First World War. Initially, the hospital was named after Tsarevich Alexei.

Fountain on the Central Square

In August 2007, the Essentuki Central Square was decorated with the largest fountain in the south of Russia - its total area is 400 m². It does not have a traditional reservoir for collecting water - jets hit directly from the paving stones. Under musical accompaniment, streams rise up, forming various forms in the air. When the fountain is not working, it is quite difficult to guess about its presence on the square - this is such an architectural trick.

resort park

The park was laid out in a swampy area where the earth did not dry out even in hot summer. The initiative to create a recreational area belonged to MS Vorontsov. The arrangement dragged on for many years, the more beautiful the result was: trees, flowering flower beds, narzan galleries, gazebos and sculptures, even the theater building was built! Throughout the 20th century, the appearance of the park continued to improve; today it is a real resort oasis.

Museum of Local Lore named after V.P. Shpakovsky

The museum is located in the historical center of the city in a mansion building of the late 19th century. It was founded in 1963. At the moment, the exposition is located in six halls and is divided into thematic sections: the history of the development of the resort, climate, flora and fauna, antique furniture, archival photographs and documents, as well as materials dedicated to famous personalities, one way or another connected with Essentuki.

Monument to the Cossacks - the founders of Essentuki

The monument was erected in 1997 on Renaissance Square next to the memorial cross, which appeared here seven years earlier. The sculpture is a figure of a Cossack in a Circassian coat, cloak and hat, surveying his future possessions with a masterly look. It is fortified on a stone pedestal, around which there is a small flower bed. The improvement of the square and the preservation of the monument are monitored by the local Cossack community.

Victory Park

The park was founded in 1903; it became the second green area in the city after Kurortny. Initially, the territory was designed in the best traditions of the English landscape style. In Soviet times, it fell into disrepair, as the lawns were hardly cared for. In the 1970s, landscaping work was carried out here, and at the same time the Eternal Flame stele was installed. In the 2000s, walking alleys were restored, flower beds were laid out and an amusement site was organized.

Theater Park

Theatre-Park is a concert hall on the territory of the Kurortny Park, built in 1901 next to the narzan gallery. For many decades, it was the only music venue in Essentuki, where orchestras, ballet stars and singers performed. After the opening in 1980 of the hall to them. F. I. Chaliapin, the institution was closed, and the magnificent building in the style of late classicism began to collapse. After the restoration, a hotel and a restaurant were opened on its territory. Near the theater park there is a picturesque fountain with beautiful evening illumination.

"Zero kilometer of love"

A monument dedicated to all lovers, opened in 2011 on Theater Square. It is a column, on top of which is peacefully sleeping Cupid. Near the stele, on paving stones, there is a composition made of marble - two hearts in a circle and the inscription "Kilometer Zero of Love". Near the monument there are benches, walking paths and flower beds.

Musical pavilion "Rococo"

The gazebo is located in the Kurortny Park and is one of the most visited attractions of this place. It is made in the technique of artistic forging from cast iron. The fence, cornices and roof are decorated with carved, finely crafted ornaments. The gazebo got its name because musicians performed there until 1912. This glorious tradition has been revived in our days.

Pavilion "Oreanda"

"Oreanda" was built in 1912 in imitation of the Yalta rotunda, located in the village of the same name in the Crimea. It is a classic colonnade. Until 1917, there was a telescope here, and it was possible to observe the stars. From the platform inside the gazebo, a magnificent panorama opens up to the Greater Caucasus Range and to the closer peaks - Beshtau and Mashuk.

Church of St. Panteleimon

The first building of the temple was erected in the 1880s, but with the advent of Soviet power, the church was closed and in the 1930s it was dismantled. In 1992, construction began on a new building funded by donations. The modern appearance of the church does not resemble the historical one: the walls of the structure are made of yellow brick, the window openings and entrance portals are decorated with multi-tiered arches.

St. George Monastery

Convent, founded in 2006. The history of the monastery began with the erection of the Church of St. Great Martyr George in 2003, built by volunteers for donations. After some time, the church hierarchs decided that it was necessary to form a female monastic community here. The complex of buildings includes a temple, chapels, a residential building, a church shop and a bathhouse. The main shrine is a particle of the relics of St. George.

Church of St. Nicholas

A picturesque wooden temple of the 19th century, founded by the Cossacks and designed by the Bernadazzi brothers. He worked under Soviet rule and was not ruined. Inside there are commemorative plaques with the names of the Cossacks who distinguished themselves during the Russian-Turkish and Russian-Japanese wars in the 19th-20th centuries, as well as a richly decorated five-tiered iconostasis. The walls are covered with light blue paint, thanks to which the church is festive and light.

Rio de Caucasus

A large temple and park complex on the outskirts of Essentuki, created exclusively with private funds. On its territory there are many sculptural compositions that reveal biblical themes. There is a mini-zoo for children. The central figure of the object is a 22-meter statue of Christ. The name of the complex speaks for itself, clearly referring to the monument of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

Zander Institute of Mechanotherapy

The institution is located in a building in the Art Nouveau style, erected at the end of the 19th century, which is strikingly different from all other city buildings. Special therapeutic simulators were invented here, working according to the method of the Swedish doctor G. Zandero. These devices are still used to massage the arms, legs and torso, as well as to correct scoliosis and stretch the spine.

Bath building of Emperor Nicholas II

The building is located in the upper part of the Kurortny Park. At the end of the 19th century, even before the completion of construction, the baths, named after the reigning king, received their first visitors. The building was built in a classical style with baroque elements, in front of it there is a green lawn with landscape sculptures and a fountain bowl. Inside there are several dozen baths with healing mineral water.

Source Gallery #17

Source Gallery No. 17 is one of the oldest buildings in Essentuki, erected in the middle of the 19th century under M. S. Vorontsov on the site of a healing mineral spring. It is made in the manner of English Gothic, diluted with elements of the Moorish style, designed by the architect S. Upton. Over time, additional buildings were added to the pavilion, where a reading room, a post office and a buffet were placed.

Source Gallery #4

A more modern gallery built in 1967. Here, spring No. 4 comes to the surface, known throughout Russia due to its taste. The building is made in the style of Soviet minimalism: simple rectangular shapes, lack of decor, obligatory mosaic on the facade, symbolizing the friendship of peoples. Previously, a pavilion in the ancient Greek style was located above the source.

Drinking gallery "Five-thousander"

The largest drinking gallery in Europe, capable of accommodating up to 5,000 visitors. It is located on the territory of the sanatorium "Victoria" - one of the largest in the region. The building was erected in the 1990s. It is a round building with a glass dome in the middle, somewhat reminiscent of a modern sports arena. Here you can taste several varieties of mineral water in hot and cold form.