Not every city in the southern part of Russia boasts such fascinating stories that locals tell. For example, many people know the abandoned cottage "Elsa", located in the resort area, near the Aeolian harp. There is a mysterious legend about it (details are further in the article), thanks to which this place attracts many tourists - lovers of mysticism and adventurers.
The article presents some interesting historical facts, as well as the most famous stories, myths and legends of Pyatigorsk.
Interesting historical facts
Everyone has heard about this magnificent sunny city. It is thanks to the poet Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov who learned from the school bench about these majestic mountains, beautiful and proud people, the wonderful healing climate and magical mineral water that works miracles. This region in the Caucasus has been populated for a long time. About him there are references to Arab travelers in 1334.
The study of the benefits of mineral springs in Russia began under Peter I. Scientists first described the springs of Pyatigory in 1773, and in 1793 chemical analyzes of the mineral waters of all sources were made. In the midst of the Caucasus Mountains, magical springs beating directly from the earth that can cure many diseases, they soon learned in the most remote places of the Russian Empire. And suffering from various diseases people from all over the country headed for these hot sulphurous waters. But these places are famous not only for their sources, but also for amazing legends and stories about the mountains of Pyatigorsk.
The idea of creating a park in the city
To found a park in Pyatigorsk was proposed by A.S. Pushkin. This idea came to him at a time when from the top of Beshtau he admired the surroundings of the Cavminvod. This is most likely not the legend of Pyatigorsk. This fact is absolutely confidently stated by the employees of the city park of culture and rest.
During a trip to Arzrum (Georgia), the poet decided to call in Pyatigorsk. Here he walked through the mountains, from where he examined the panorama of the area. He drew attention to an empty site and told his fellow travelers, among whom were officials, that a park must be created in this place. This proposal was conveyed to the mayor. As a result, the poet's brilliant idea was embodied - a culture and recreation park was laid out in the city.
It was here, admiring the beautiful sunset and going down the mountain, A.S. Pushkin invented the first lines of the poem "On the Hills of Georgia."
Tram route story
The relatively modern legends of Pyatigorsk include this story. Before the war, the city had a tram route that ran through the entire resort area (past the Elsa cottage) to Failure itself. The current modern square at the entrance to the tunnel, which leads to the lake, at that time was intended to turn tram cars. During the occupation, the tram lines, depots and wagons were seriously damaged, but were restored again. However, the failure route was never repaired.
The official reason is the need to use rails for the mines of Mount Beshtau. There is also an unofficial version, according to which a tram heading to the failure fell from the slope of Mount Goryachaya into the abyss. Since then, trams do not go in that direction.
About the Golden Horse
The following rumors can be attributed to the legends of the city of Pyatigorsk. They say that at the site of a monastery located on Mount Beshtau, a golden horse was once buried. This is claimed by scientists and archaeologists.
On the mountain stands the Second Athos Monastery - a building from the beginning of the 20th century. It has recently been restored. But few know that in this place in the X century there was a more ancient monastery. At that time, when hordes of the Mongol-Tatars came to Pyatigory, countless treasures of the monastery cast in a golden horse were hidden by the monks. Not finding these riches in the monastery, the invaders completely destroyed it. And since that time, the golden horse has been located somewhere in the vicinity of Beshtau. Modern estimates of the value of the treasure amount to several billion dollars.
The legend of Mount Mashuk
For centuries, people have lived and live legends about this famous mountain. One of them, which is the most famous legend of Pyatigorsk, is very interesting.
Once upon a time, on the stretch of the Caucasus mountains, the plains stretched on which the bogatyrs lived. Their leader is the mighty Prince Elbrus. He had a son - a fearless warrior and a Dzhigit Beshtau. His life was spent in merry feasts with friends between raids on foreign tribes. He perfectly understood the language of animals, while hiking in forests and valleys he was always accompanied by a fierce lion, a nimble snake, a strong bull and a hardy camel.
Once Beshtau met the beautiful Masha in a nearby village, and a fiery love broke out between them. He asked her father for permission to get married. The sledges walked on it for 3 days and 3 nights. But in the heart of Prince Elbrus, a belated love for Mashuka crept in. Then he conceived his dirty deed. Calling his son, he sent him to a distant raid on a tribe of Emegens, who were human eaters. Beshtau gathered young Dzhigits and went to distant lands. He did not return for a long time, and Elbrus, having spread a rumor about the death of his son, forced the young girl to become his wife. Putting a massive gold ring on his finger, he imprisoned it in the rock.
Once Beshtau returned to his native village with his comrades, bringing rich loot. Met him Leo, Snake, Bull and Camel, and talked about the treachery of his father. Then Beshtau crept up to the Sakla, where his yearning Mashuka was imprisoned. On a dark night, accompanied by friends, they went north to the dense forests. Mashuka threw away the hated Elbrus ring on the way. The next morning, Elbrus, who discovered the absence of his wife, rushed in pursuit with the soldiers. And it was here, where the volcano mountains are now, that the battle broke out between sons and fathers. Young brave horsemen were assisted by Leo, Bull, Snake and Camel, but they were defeated by mature warriors. The friends of young Beshtau also perished, and one on one father and son agreed. Beshtau with a sword cut Elbrus’s head into two parts, but the hero gathered all his strength and, having knocked off the iron helmet from Beshtau’s head, cut his son into 5 parts. When the dzhigit fell dead, a weeping Mashuka leaned over him and, grabbing a dagger from the beloved of her beloved, plunged into her heart. The earth shuddered from a monstrous duel, old sledges petrified with horror, turning into the mountains of the Caucasus, led by Elbrus. Volcano mountains appeared, where the hot blood of young horsemen still beats. Beshtau is surrounded by his faithful companions: Bull, Leo, Snake and Camel. Separately, Mount Dagger, and Mount Ring is on the way to the mountains. Mashuk fell at the feet of her beloved, and her blood flows from the wound of her chest with healing keys.
Cottage "Elsa"
This is the legend of old Pyatigorsk. The history of the city is familiar to many only by this object.
Cottage "Elsa" is a private pre-revolutionary building, owned by Gukasov - a local entrepreneur. He gave her a name by the name of his wife. After the 1917 revolution, this beautiful, castle-like mansion was taken from the owner. A sanatorium was opened in it. The building was abandoned in the 1990s, and now it is in a dilapidated condition. The legend about the existence of the ghost of Elsa in it was quickly attributed to this abandoned object. There were many stories: from the mistress of the house walled up in the basement (although there is no basement) to the murder of a child and the subsequent suicide of Elsa, who threw herself from the balcony. However, there is factual evidence that the former mistress of this castle, Elsa Gukasova, continued to live in the city after the revolution.
The legend of the Gate of Love of Pyatigorsk
According to the same legend about Mount Mashuk, which tells about the fierce battle of sons and fathers, the stones of the gate are a spray of tears of young Mashuki. Although, in fact, this unusual stone structure, called the Gate of the Sun, appeared on the beautiful observation deck of Mount Mashuk recently, in the 1990s.
This arch was created from fragments and huge blocks of stones. This structure is similar to two small mountains with peaks connected by a stone bridge. The arch also has a second popular name - the Gate of Love. According to tradition, the newlyweds come here. They pass through them into a brighter future. By tradition, the groom must carry his bride three times through this arch.
Lovers passing through it, according to legend, will soon play a wedding.
