Caucasian Mineral Waters

Caucasian Mineral Waters are situated in the middle of 700-km isthmus between the Black and Caspian seas on the northern slopes of the Main Caucasian ridge, only in 90 km from the highest mountain in Europe – Elbrus, a two-headed top of which is well seen almost on the whole territory of the region. Occupying the territory, area of which is 6,000 sq km, the region is noted for large contrasts of natural settings.

In the environs of Caucasian Mineral Waters there are many wonderful places which attract by beauty of the nature, interesting tourist’s routes. People gravitate to these places owing to nearness of mountain tops, beautiful intermontane valleys with smart verdure, fresh Alpine meadows, noisy azure-blue waterfalls, impetuous clear rivers, abundance in mineral springs, only clear, always cool air, saturated with phytoncides with tart smell of rosin and needles . Bus excursions to Teberda, Dombai, Arkhiz, Baksanskoe gorge, Tchegemskoe gorge, to the foot of Elbrus, the Blue lakes.

The history of Caucasian mineral waters

First official data about Caucasian Mineral Waters appeared under Peter I. Peter entrusted surgeon Shober to search “in our country waters which could be used for treating for diseases”. After the trip the doctor informed about “greenhouses” of Pyatigorje and “fairly sour spring”, intending, probably, Kislovodsk narzan. Academician I. A. Guldenshtedt came here in 1773. Konstantinogorskaya fortress, which laid the foundation of Pyatigorsk, was laid not far from Goryachaya mountain in 7 years. And at the end of XVIII century the famous naturalist Pallas carried out analysis of spring Narzan.

On the 24th of April of 1803 by decree of Alexander I Caucasian Mineral Waters were declared a medicinal region of state significance. Since this historical moment Caucasian Mineral Waters have become state property, they were included in the range of medical institutes and put under governmental supervision. And it is not by chance. There is no other place in the world where so many natural resources, the most valuable in their medicinal characteristics: various mineral waters, the richest deposit of silt sulfide mud, picturesque landscapes, salubrious climate. It was modern to go to Caucasian Mineral Waters in the circle of Russian aristocracy. Most of them brought large retinue with them: from servants, cooks and doctors to dancers and musicians. Quite for a long time mineral water was used for taking a hot bath twice a day and course of treatment took the whole summer.

Nevertheless till the 60-s of XIX century condition of the resort left much to be desired. The way from the capital was long and uncomfortable, the springs were not protected, nothing was built and as the result millions of golden rubles settled abroad. The technological progress helped to change the situation – in 1875 steam-engine replaced coachmen. French engineer Jul Fransua, participating in accomplishing of the famous European resorts, was engaged in serious development of the springs. The foreigner was stricken. “In the whole Europe there is no such wonderful combination of so various springs on the quite small territory. No doubt with carrying out of suggested technical works Caucasian waters should get into lane of the best European waters”, - he wrote. Owing to Fransua the resort acquired scientifically worked out principles of scheduled exploring and arrangement of mineral water springs.

During the civil war resort life in Caucasian Mineral waters stopped. Decree “About medicinal areas of national significance” plaid an important role in their further development and on the 18th of April of 1920 Caucasian Mineral Waters was declared resorts of national significance again. Pyatigorsk State Balneal Institute with four clinics in all cities-resorts, which has played a great role in development of resort business in Russia henceforward, was established in the same year. And already in 1925 10 sanatoriums functionated in Kislovodsk, 4 – in Pyatigorsk, 6 sanatoriums in Essentuki and Zheleznovodsk. New sanatoriums were built up-tempo.

In the years of the Great Patriotic war all sanatoriums were reequipped into the hospitals. 68 hospitals worked here before occupation of Caucasian Mineral Waters by Fritz (August, 1942), 83 hospitals were organized after occupation (January 11, 1943). Over 900,000 soldiers and officers, 82 % of whom returned in the army field forces, got medical aid.

The resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters acquired their modern look in the 70-s when most presently functional sanatoriums, rest homes, tourist complexes, in which up to one and a half million natives of the USSR and foreign tourists rested and received medical treatment per a year, were built.

Nowadays Caucasian Mineral Waters is an especially protected ecological-resort region of federal significance. It is 120 mineral springs, more than a hundred sanatoriums and rest homes, a natural radon and medicinal mud of Tambukan lake, abundance of sunny days in summer and soft, warn winter. Variety of methods allows to treat here almost all diseases. Caucasian Mineral Waters has the reputation of pearl of Caucasus by right; it takes only an hour to drive around four city-resorts only for an hour. Resembling each other like brothers, each of them have individuality.

On a visit of Nayanda-healer

Treatment combines with walks and other procedures. The route corresponds to appointed regime of activity. The best time for walks is when you hurry nowhere, in cool time in summer, in winter – in warm time of a day. It is better to have a walk in light clothes and cosy shoes, at slow free pace.

Application of mineral water favors to acceleration of adaptation to the local climate, enforcement of immunodefences, disturbed by a disease. Mineral water, which is used, have an effect on organism not only by chemical and gas composition but also by temperature, duration of a procedure, density of water, etc.

Mineral baths affect by its temperature (usually 35-37 C?), chemical and gas composition. Duration of a procedure in 6-20 minutes (not longer) is considered to be optimal. Mineral are not indifferent to an organism. They are taken only when they are indicated. You shouldn’t come to the procedure either on an empty stomach or right after taking much food. Rest should precede the procedure therefore you should come in time.

Internal implication of mineral waters

Mud cure

Inhalation therapy is used for treating of sick men with upper air passages diseases. Therapeutic action of inhalation is formed of influence of saline and gas components of mineral water and moist warmth.

Medical cabinets, comfortable wards, three and four meals a day, covered pools, gyms, tennis-courts.

Symphonic, organ, concert halls, philharmonic society, numerous museums, show-rooms, restaurants, cafes, offering dishes of Caucasian and European cuisines, numerous routes (by Lermontov’s places, cities of Caucasian Mineral Waters, where even names – Narzan gallery, Temple of Air, Narzan baths, Resort boulevard and many others remind you that you are in Russian resorts) wait for resting people.

There are also excursions about environs of Caucasian Mineral Waters, Dambai, Arkhiz, Elbrus region, to Medoviy waterfalls. And trip to Terek stud-farm where thoroughbred Arabic horses are reared!

Perfect restaurants, bars, casinos, night clubs have emerged in recent years, saunas, billiard parlours work in the sanatoriums. And programs, which are offered for rest by managers of sanatorium clubs, won’t allow to have a tedious time, never mind for how much time your ticket is – for two or three weeks. Performances of Pyatigorsk theatre of operetta will be offered to theater-lovers.

Doors of White Villa, at present memorial museum-manor of famous artist-Itinerants N. Y. Yaroshenko, are opened for painting-lovers. You won’t pass by former dacha of T. I. Shalyapin, which is also museum now. An excursion to the famous winery Beshtau-Tempelgoff waits for those who want to try famous wines of Northern Caucasus.

Charm of Caucasian Mineral Waters was highly valued by many great Russians – from members of emperor’s family to Russian creative elite, spoilt by success. Not by chance Shalyapin built his dacha here. And if apprehension continues tease you still, don’t put off – set out on your journey! Resort Caucasian Mineral Waters is capable to assure all in its uniqueó oneness!

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