Lazarevskoe resort
The history of resort settlement Lazarevskoe origination is symbolic. Like in
other places of the coast, it is connected with landing of Russian troops landed
in the mouth of the Psezuapse river. After the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829
this nook of the Black sea coast passed to Russia. Russians began to build
military fortifications. Adygeis, who dwelled on the coast, resisted, the
situation turned into bloodshed. The Black sea fleet was headed at that time by
admiral Michael Petrovitch Lazarev – a participant of two world tours, a
discoverer of Antarctica, a hero of Navarinsk battle. Being in Tuapse, admiral
Lazarev put several truce envoys ashore. They managed to come to an agreement.
On the 6th of July of 1839 in the mouth of the Psezuapse river Russian soldiers
went ashore and for the first time they were met without arms fire. Hence a new
fortification acquired admiral Lazarevsky’s name.
The settlement acquired the second name due to the
river, flowing there. The Psezuapse, flowing here into the sea, is called also
by mountain-dwellers as Psishio, i.e. Kind river. And really this place is kind:
here there is always much sun, warmth and light.
Climate and geographical
location
Lazorev area stretches along the coast for 105 km
from Magri to Dagomis. Average annual here is +13.3 C. The beach is pebbly and
wide – 40 m. At the clear weather tops of the Main Caucasian ridge, stretching
here from the Semiglavaya mountain (1424 m) to the Grachev Venets mountain, are
seen in horizon, and though they are not very high the snow can be observed
sometimes till the end of May.
Sights
Some of sights of Lazarevskoe settlement remind of
different periods of people’s life on the Black sea coast of Caucasus. Visiting
it one may make a small trip in the past. Ancient people, dwelling in Caucasus,
often buried their rich compatriots in the dolmens, original stone cultural
constructions. It is probably a region the richest in dolmens.
Word “dolmen” is of Breton origin. It consists of
two roots: “daol” – “table” and “men” – “stone”. Adygeis-Shapsougs in our days,
as well as in ancient times, called dolmens word “Spiune”, which translates as
“house of dwarf”. In the legends they say that in the local mountains
dwarfs-isps dwelled. They were wise and sly; knew kinds of grasses, metals,
various miraculous sciences; exploited hares, chopped fern for firewood and
didn’t know death.
Obscure deep gorges were inhabited by the other
nation – giants-inizhis. They possessed wondrous power, pulled up oaks by the
roots, threw rocks at one another like with stones, but were sill and primitive.
Nobody knows how it happened that isps made
menacing inizhis work for them “a little”. One of old men say: by ruse. Little
men moved the giants to pity who themselves offered help to little men. Other
people say: with the help of magic, herbs and various whistles. It is difficult
to say what happened then. May be climate changed, may be a pestilence began, in
short, disappeared isps together with inizhis. Only old Adygeis in the mountain
auls say that isps has existed till now, only went far in the ground. Sometimes
in clear, moony night they went out to their stone bricks and dance – spin in
moonlight, remembering their youth age. Not everybody can see them.
The evidence of coming of Russian settlers in this
area is a monument to poet-Decembrist Alexander Odoevsky, set in the park of
Decembrists. An active participant of the rebellion in Senatskaya square,
Alexander Odoevsky, was exiled in Siberia.
And in May of 1994, when 130-anniversary of the
Caucasian war finishing was being celebrated, on the central square of the
settlement a memorable stone “Sign of reconciliation” was set. Thus memory about
mountain-dwellers and Russians, killed in Caucasus in XIX century. This stone in
Lazarevskoe became a symbol of national reconciliation of all peoples. Not by
chance it was laid by Adygei youths, descendants of young Shamil’s troops, and
young Cossacks of the Black sea district of All-Kuban Cossack army.
Walking on, let’s visit a small but rather pithy
local museum. In the museum you can learn about natives Adygeis-Shapsugs. Rare
photos, models of national clothes, weapons, articles of everyday life are
represented in the exposition.
Address: Pobeda street, 97. Works from 10.00 till
17.00, in summer – till 19.00. Days off – Sunday, Monday.
Not far from the museum there are remains of the
former coastal fortification of Lazarevsk fort And near the regional hospital
there are remains of ramparts and bastions, and even small cannon “Unicorn”
having been kept here since the time of fort foundation.
Mamedovo gorge
Let’s have a one day walk on the mountains. First
of all we will make for Mamedovo gorge. There is a story connected with the name
of the gorge. “Saving his congener from the death, old man Mamed led Byzantine
conquerors into the deaf place, but he refused to lead them out to the sea
despite awful tortures”. Mamedovo grove, or Mamedka, as inhabitants call it, is
one of the most beautiful places in the neighbouring vicinities of Lazarevskoe.
A regular-route bus, which in 5-10 minutes will bring you into the fabulous
nook, goes in Mamedka.
River Kuapse
So, going a little by highway along the right bank
of the river Kuapse, we cross the bridge and go on along the left bank. Numerous
wild boars, which local mountain-dwellers hunted, dwelled formerly in the
vicinities of this mountain river. Fabulous beauty of the vicinities delights
the eye. It is cool in the forest, limes, chestnut, huge beeches grow.
And here it is the first meeting with a
fairy-tale: from the left on the roadside you will be waiting of by…Baba-Yaga,
or, more precisely, her Adygei sister – Naguchitca, but to tell the truth, cut
of wood. But it looks quite natural. Image of Naguchitca in Adygei folklore is
quite spread and wonderfully resembles the image of Baba-Yaga from Russian
fairy-tales. There is a local legend that if come up to the statue at midnight
and whisper in her ear the fondest wish, it will certainly come true.
Having rest at Baba-Yaga, we go on our way. We go
up along the river to Orehova glade, which is situated on the right bank. It
represents remains of old Adygei gardens. Ancient barrows of oval form, laid
round by mossy flat boulders, make a spectacle of itself. These are medieval
burial places of mountain-dwellers. Main beauties of the grove begin from
Orehova glade. The field of the Kuapse river abruptly converges, forming a
canyon. In summer while low level of water it is quite passable. Colorful rocks
of Cretaceous period, twined round with ivy, sometimes uniting above at a height
of 3 meters, form arched passageway. Here you find yourself like in the fabulous
world. Thick limestones needles hang down from the ceiling. Walls are covered
with intricate singer formations. And out the nature rages, birds sing. Huge
oaks, chestnut towers above the precipices like guard, brooks purl.
Wonderful contrast waits for us in front. On
coming out of the gloomy canyon, a bright, light, white hall greets. It is a
very beautiful place, formed by water among limestone rocks. Small confluent of
the Kuapse river falls down as a crystal-clear waterfall.
Mamed’s bath
On this brook there are other several cascades,
several small waterfalls, a pot-hole of one of them is called “Mamed’s bath”. In
this place we should look at all these natural beauties and turn back. We may go
on our way only with mountaineering outfit. We may go not on the bottom of the
grove but in the forest. On the right bank of the Kuapse river there is another
convenient path. In an hour we find ourselves again on the Black sea highway.
Svirskoe danga is placed on the
village's outskirt of Lazarevskoe, upper to stream Svirsky. It is a picturesque
valley with opening panorama of rocks and mountains formations, numerous
waterfalls and water cups. There are no excursions for this place, but you can
use a bus # 66, 75, 76 in oder to come to the danga.
Entertainment in Lazarevskoe
Lazarevskoe is a not large village, the place of
calm rest.
Centre of National Cultures. Its
fame overstepped long ago the borders of Krasnodarsky region. More then two
thousands peoples of this region Adygei auls, greek, armenian and russian
villages
take part in the creative national collectives,
regularly give concerts. Rare holiday is carried our without any
competitions.
Having rest in Lezarevskoe, you should visit one
of such concerts. Native traditions, keeping in songs and dances, original folk
performances, high professional art of different actors and artists don't make
you the indifferent.
A great number of variety artists come to
Lazarevskoe in Summer. They give concerts at the Centre of National Cultures
from May to September every day.
At the centre of Lazarevskoe village there is a
cinema «Sunrise». All films are shown there after premiers in capital cinemas.
In June during «Kinotavr festival» there are carried out the creative meetings
with actors and viewing its films.
In warm seasons guests are met by Lazarevsky park
of culture and rest. Shady alleys, park amusements, summer theatre, open – air
disco are pleased to people.
Aquapark «Sea star» - is a place for children and
adults. There are many swim slides, pools and artificial waterfalls, and even
cafe, where one can have a snack.
Entertainment complex «Panorama»
is a favourite place for young men after 22 p.m. Disco is placed in front of
entrance of the Center of National Cultures. There are no big dwelling houses,
that's why dancing continues the whale night. Here there is a face control.
Club «Cocktail – Bar» - is cool
place on the whole Black sea coast of Russia. Popular music, professional
barmen, DJs, a big choice of exotic cocktails, young men from all country – all
of that you can find on a beach in 3 metres of the sea.
Since 2005 year in Lazarevskoe one can visit a
dolphinarium, where children get pleasure watching clever and kind dolphins.
Cafes and restaurants
There are many dinning rooms, restaurants and
cafes in Lazeravskoe. Meat meals, soups and salads will be offered to guests.
One of the cafe has a traditional Russian meals. Cooks found a lot of old
receipts from different cities of Russia. At this cafe are represented numerous
dishes of Russian culture – noddle soup, handmade Ural meat dumplings, and
speciality - Novgorod roast.
In one of the restaurants is prevailed a sea
exotic. There are crabs, shrimps, mussels, snails, octopuses, fishes in the menu
of the restaurant.
House renting in Lazarevskoe
In Lazarevskoe you won't long time look for
renting. There are pensions, where there are all kinds of service for you:
dinning room, cafe, conference hall, club, children rooms, well- planned beach,
disco and sport areas, library, Russian baths and sauna, billiard, and three
meals a day. The last one is included at the price of renting.
One can reserve a place in hotel and also rent a
house or a room in private sector of house. Houses and rooms, which are rented
may be with all and partial conveniences. In any case you won't be with any
houses.
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