Top 20 attractions of Zheleznovodsk, Russia

Zheleznovodsk is one of the most visited cities in the North Caucasus. Although it occupies a small area, it is one of the most environmentally friendly and actively developing resorts of the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody. There are always a lot of tourists and those who come to improve their health.

The main asset of Zheleznovodsk is its healing waters. Most of them are concentrated on Iron Mountain. Pump-rooms of the most popular springs - Lermontovsky, Smirnovsky, Slavyanovsky - are installed in the Kurortny Park. In addition to natural attractions in Zheleznovodsk, there are many creations of human hands. These are monuments, historical buildings, temples. Many of them are also located in the Kurortny Park: the Pushkin Gallery, the Emir's Palace, the building of the Ostrov Baths.

What to see and where to go in Zheleznovodsk?

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

Mount Zheleznaya

The main natural attraction of Zheleznovodsk. It has a height of 850 meters. Origin - volcanic. The slopes are covered with dense vegetation. The name comes from the iron-rich mineral springs gushing from the bowels of the mountain. 23 of them have been explored. At the foot of the resort park is equipped, where you can drink water from the pump-rooms. Mineral waters are also widely used in city sanatoriums. A 3.5 km long route has been laid to the top of Zheleznaya.

Mountains Kabanka, Medovaya and Razvalka

Mountains near Zheleznovodsk. Kabanka 760 meters high is located 1.5 km from the city and looks like a rocky ridge, resembling a lying wild boar from the side. Medovaya is located in the south-west of the city, the height is 720 meters. The name is associated with the yellowish color of rocks, dotted with holes. Razvalka has a height of 926 meters, located 1.5 km north of Zheleznovodsk. Its slopes are like a pile of rubble. All the mountains have been declared natural monuments; the remains of ancient settlements have been found on their territory.

Cascading staircase

Since 1935, it has been the main decoration of the Kurortny Park, connecting its lower and upper parts. The entire length of the staircase is decorated with flower beds, decorative lanterns, benches, fountains and sculptures of fairy tale characters. In the center of the stairs, along its numerous steps, streams of mineral water flow in cascades, which is not used for its intended purpose. At the very top of the structure is an observation deck with stunning views of the city's surroundings.

Palace of the Emir of Bukhara

One of the pearls of the Zheleznovodsk Resort Park is a palace from oriental tales. Built at the beginning of the last century for the emir of the Bukhara Khanate, annexed to Russia. It was presented to the royal family in 1913. The pale blue building is designed in neo-Moorish style. It is decorated with a ribbed dome and a minaret tower, carved wooden trim of verandas and window frames, a patterned fence and sculptures of lions at the entrance. Today the palace belongs to the local sanatorium.

Lermontov spring

Located on the territory of the Kurortny Park, 650 meters from the Pushkin Gallery. Monument of nature and history. It was opened in 1810. This is the very first spring discovered on the territory of Zheleznovodsk. The history of the famous resort began with him. It was named in honor of Lermontov in 1964, a monument to the poet was erected nearby. The water temperature is 40°C. The pavilion of the pump room was built in 1916 and looks like a glazed rotunda with columns. Inside - 4 taps with medicinal water.

Slavyanovsk source

It bears the name of the hydrogeologist Nikolai Slavyanov, who in 1914 drilled a well to a depth of 120 meters and discovered the hottest mineral water in Zheleznovodsk. It has a temperature of 56°C. Used for therapeutic baths, bottling and drinking cures. A distinctive feature of the Slavyanovsky spring is the presence of a small amount of radon in it. Water is supplied in a closed pavilion built in 1916.

Smirnovsky source

Located at the top of the Cascade Stairs, in the Kurortny Park. It was discovered, explored and cleared in 1865 by the famous balneologist Semyon Smirnov, later named after him. Recommended for the treatment of gastric diseases. Subsequently, two more sources were brought to the surface. In 1930, a gallery was built that united all three Smirnov springs with temperatures of 37, 40 and 51°C. The structure consists of two glass rotundas connected by an enfilade.

Pushkin Gallery

An original openwork structure made of metal structures and colored glass, with a silvery dome and 4 small turrets. The opening took place in 1902 on one of the sites of the Kurortny Park. Since then, the gallery has been a visiting card of the city. One part of it is used for concerts and various cultural events, the second is reserved for an exhibition of works by local artists. There is a monument to Pushkin in the center. Pushkin Square was created nearby.

Baths of Ostrovsky

The elegant white-and-red building of the hydropathic facility in the Arabic style was built at the end of the 19th century. The technical equipment of the baths was at the highest level - mud, hot and cold water were supplied to the rooms through separate pipes, which was rare for that time. The complex was named after the brother of the famous playwright, Minister of State Property Mikhail Ostrovsky, an active supporter of the development of the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody. The building is currently being restored.

Sculpture "Eagle"

Eagles are the rightful owners of the mountains, where they live and hunt for a long time. Therefore, it is not surprising that this proud bird is a symbol of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, personifying strength and good health. It can be found here in every resort town. In Zheleznovodsk, a bronze eagle with spread wings, strangling a snake with its claws, sits on a pile of stones near the Smirnovsky spring. Another monument to the majestic bird is installed near the Kurortnoye Lake.

Sculpture "Signs of the Zodiac"

The original stone sculpture was installed in the Spa Park in 2000. It is a rectangular frame, along the perimeter of which the signs of the zodiac and symbols of animals according to the Chinese calendar are depicted. Inside there is a huge solid egg-shaped stone with images of half-naked maidens. The townspeople call the sculptural composition “an egg of desires” and believe that if you turn it around its axis, your cherished dream will come true.

Monument to M. Yu. Lermontov

The picturesque Lermontovsky Square with the pump-room of the same name and a monument to the Russian poet is a popular holiday destination in Zheleznovodsk. The bronze sculpture was installed here in 1988, on the anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Lermontov. The poet stands on a granite block and looks into the distance at his beloved Caucasus Mountains. Nearby flower beds, mighty firs, ancient lanterns and numerous benches for rest create a very cozy and romantic atmosphere.

Monument to A. S. Pushkin

The main attraction of Pushkin Square, located next to the gallery of the same name. The monument, 2.5 meters high, is made of quartz sand, cement, marble chips and rises on a granite pedestal. This is an enlarged copy of the sculpture installed on the 100th anniversary of the death of the poet in the Pushkin Gallery. Literary meetings on the theme of Pushkin's works are held in the park on certain days.

Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God

In 1917, the first Intercession Church was erected in the city, but in the late 30s it was completely destroyed. For the construction of a new temple, the former building of the mineral baths of 1912 was allocated, which required a global reconstruction. The first parish service was held here in 1996. Today the building is crowned with two domes with crosses, a chapel with a mineral spring has been consecrated. Church shops, a carpentry workshop, and a library were opened.

Church of Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

It is located on a small hill, in one of the residential areas of Zheleznovodsk. It was built in 1989 on the site of an old church. It is a white-stone building with gilded domes and stained-glass windows. The special pride of the church is a beautiful iconostasis, made by local craftsmen in the technique of colored enamel. A belfry was built under a small arch nearby. The church has a church shop, a canteen, and a Sunday school.

Post stagecoach station

A small one-story building was built in 1875 at the eastern entrance to Zheleznovodsk. Before the appearance of the first railway line, horse-drawn multi-seat carriages brought visitors to the resorts, mail and luggage here. This is the only surviving station in the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody. The building, together with the farmstead, was transferred to the local history museum, restored and returned to its original appearance. Since 2016, an exposition dedicated to Leo Tolstoy has been located here.

Museum of Local Lore

Located near the Lermontov spring. It has been hosting visitors since 1988. Each of several museum halls has its own theme. Here is an archaeological collection, samples of flora and fauna of the Caucasus region, a collection of old coins of Russia, things and household items of the first inhabitants of Zheleznovodsk, photographs of famous historical figures. A special place is occupied by an exhibition dedicated to military events.

Train Station

The building was erected at the end of the 19th century and is now declared a protected architectural monument. The old-fashioned platform of the station is equipped with comfortable benches and lanterns. The main railway bypasses Zheleznovodsk, and only one track was laid to the station. Electric trains ran along it to the Beshtau station, without intermediate stops. Since the 2000s, the number of mobile trains has been reduced, and then completely closed this direction.

Grotto "Permafrost"

Located at the foot of Razvalki Mountain, 1.5 km from the city. It was discovered at the beginning of the last century. The peculiarity of the amazing grotto is that even in summer the temperature here is kept at 0°C. Its walls are made of petrified magma with large cracks. Through them, cold air is sucked in in winter, and in summer it gradually comes out. To study the natural phenomenon, geologists dug several adits, one of which is open to tourists today.

spa lake

It is located at the foot of the Iron Mountain, in the middle of a forest. It was formed in 1954 through the efforts of local residents who dug a pit on their own, and then filled it with water from a mountain stream. Now it is a popular and well-maintained recreation area. The shores of the lake are lined with colored stone, a beach and diving bridges are equipped. Here you can go fishing, take a boat trip or organize a picnic. Nearby there are children's attractions, cafes, sports grounds.