Loo resort
History
Name Loo is connected with mountain-dwellers – abasins, who, as Turkish
traveler of XVII century A. Chelebi mentions, lived on the coast in XVI-XVII
centuries among Adygeis , keeping the language and distinctive features. Word
“Loo” originates from the name of abasin kin Lau, or Lou, which emerged here in
XIII-XIV centuries. A river, flowing down from mountains into the sea has the
same name. Nation Ubikhy, who had formed 2 communes, Vordanae and Ordanae, had
been settling the banks of the river till 1864. In the place of the present
resort there was an aul of Ismail Barakai Dzepsha, who commanded while wars of
ubikhy against Russians.
Russians wan, Loo become ours, but no Russian man
could live here for a long time. Lots were sold by charitable auctions for
kopecks and their owners didn’t know even where Sochi, Loo, … are situated. Bit
then a road was built and everything went right.
The ruins of medieval Abkhazia-Alania temple have been kept
in the mountains near Loo on the height of about 200 m. The northern wall of the
building, assembled of limestone blocks, has been kept better. Width of the
temple makes up 11 m, length – 20 m, thickness is over 1 m. By condition of the
laying the temple is similar to Pitsundsky and Lihnensky temple in Abkhazia.
There is a church legend that already in the 40-s A.D apostles Andrew and
Simon preached in Greek cities, situated in bays, rare on this coast,
inhabitants of Alania, Abkhazia. Writer of 5 century Eupephaniy the Cyprian even
say us such details: as if Andrew left Simon in Sebastopolis-Suhumi (a
Graeco-Ramon city in about 100 to the south from Loo), went to Zikhiya, i.e. in
the mountains, where later the famous temple in Loo was erected. People Zikhi
wanted to kill Andrew but, having seen its poverty, spared him. From Eupiphaniy
this story reached Orthodox hagiography.
Tribes of the east coast were really famous for excessive robbery. Antique
authors called these tribes Geniokhs, and in their language it is a synonym of
pirates. Tsar Bospora in 4 century cleared the sea from Geniokhs, but in the
area of Loo they continued to pirate for several centuries.
After the mission of Andrew the First Called Christianity
was spread in these places by Jews. They say that places around Loo became a
font of two great ethnoses – Khazar and Caucasian, but in different religions.
A real guide of Christianity in this places is Byzantine emperor Justinian I,
during reigning of whom inhabitants of Adigeya believed in Jesus
Christ. Since 6 to 8 century Byzantium attempted to keep this coast and
other areas of the Black Sea, under its direct influence. In the middle of 8
century Constantinople had to acknowledge independent Abkhazia kingdom. Building
of the temple in Loo refers to arrangements of kings of Abkhazia. In these
places there are similar temples. In 6 century they erected a temple in Adler
which was savagely destroyed by builders of canalization in 1954, and there were
frescos and floor, covered with mosaic. Besides the temple in Loo there are
ruins in Khost, Lesnoi, Kashtani, on the mountain Ahun, under the mountain
Ephrem. In total 9. All they press close to the coast, though, tsars of Abkhazia
were seemingly owners of their land and could build where they wanted.
In 978 childless tsar of Abkhazia Feodosiy the Blind, and this country united
with Georgia, where then Bagrat Bagrationi, Feodosiy’s relative, ruled. Soon
rapid development of the culture of XII- XIII century began – it was a
consequence of activity of David the Builder, who erected temples in his own
area and on the coast. Tsarina Tamara brought Christianity to Adygeis, and they
loved her for it and glorified her in their legends. In XIII century for
Christians of Loo Catholicism became more actual than Orthodoxy. Crusaders are
where there are Catholics. Having plundered Constantinople in 1204, they
appeared in the outskirts of Loo. From them mountain dwellers adopted some
methods of the struggle, fashion and armament.
As for the temple of Loo, already in XV century it turned into a fortress. On
the maps of XIX century it is marked as an old fortress. Right on the surface
archaeologists found here stone shots, cases, metallic items of XV-XVII century.
It was the time of Turks’s ruling. We don’t know if mountain dwellers used the
temple during the Caucasian war.
Climate and sights
Loo is located in sub-tropical climatic belt on the territory of the
Caucasian reserve in 18 km from Sochi. Comfortable pebbly beach is located in
200 km from the motorway, crossing the settlement along the sea. The beach in
settlement Loo is rather wide – about 60 m. Rest in September is chipper, prices
of lodging and wine fall in 1.5 times. Health-resort visitors like Loo and often
elect this cozy nook for summer holiday and sometimes interpret Loo – “Like have
a rest alone”. Moscowers, who get tired from the city life, come here for a
while.
Waterfall “Heavenly belight”
We will begin our walk with waterfall “Heavenly delight”. The waterfall is
situated in the Sochi national park. Our route begins in settlement
Upper-Armyanskoe Loo. By viaduct we cross the Loo river and going 300 m along
the river-bed by the road encircled with relic trees (beeches, hornbeams,
box-trees), we find ourselves in the museum in the open air. A rich collection
of items of every day life, utensils, implements is made up in the specially
equipped saklya of Armenians of the end of XIX – the beginning of XX century.
Everybody may listen to the real gramophone.
Going forward a little we will
see a waterfall. At the foot of the waterfall even in the hottest day
temperature of the air is 6-7 C lower than total one. Here it is always cool and
only sounds of the wild nature disturb the silence: murmur of water, opening the
way between stones, splash of trout, birds’ twitter and rustle of the wind.
Tea houses
If you haven’t tasted northern tea yet it is worth to do it now. Between Loo
and Dagomis on the height mountain there are Tea houses, where you may taste
Russian tea – the most northern in the world. Places, museum, tea with honey and
pikes, wonderful in beauty, are all what wait for us there. The “tea houses”
which were built for receiving of foreign delegations have been kept. Now the
“tea houses” please guests their cordial reception and show rooms.
The rooms
represent items of Russian craft art: Rostov trays and Vologda laces, Dymkovo
toys and Gorodetsk painting.
Entertainment industry of Sochi was replenished by aquapark
«Aqualoo», where you can get in interesting and exciting world
of water entertainment. Here you can have a rest single or with friends and
family, in any season. Aquapark well combined with covered and open water slide
and pools.
You shouldn't worry about the time.
Aquapark stay is
unlimited, in all service are included using of chaise longue, public
conveniences, Jacuzzi etc.
On the aquapark territory there is unique,
having no any analogues in the South Russia, five – parted wave pool, creating
imitation of ocean waves.
For children are presented water attractions,
children pool, they can swim and play there.
Cafe and restaurants, bars
Loo resort is not large, generally, cafes, bars and restaurants are placed on
the territories of hotels and pensions. There are small snack cafes. As concerns
renting, you may reserve hotel's room or pension's room.
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