Essentuki is a world famous natural health resort. Mineral waters from natural sources treat dozens of diseases. Tourists from all over the country and from abroad come here on vacation. Before vacationers, the question arises of where to go in Essentuki in their free time from medical procedures. The city has many places to visit for every taste and age.
Historical reference
Essentuki is a small county town resort. Despite its modest size and short history, it is known far beyond the borders of the country. Dozens of mineral water sources are open on the territory of the city and in the immediate vicinity of it. Each of them has a unique composition and its own medical purpose. Scientists from different countries have been investigating the properties and characteristics of mineral waters for more than a century.
The history of the city began with the discovery of the first sources. Scientific expeditions were organized that proved the value of mineral raw materials. By decree of the emperor in 1825, Cossack villages were resettled here, who guarded the deposits and built life. Churches, libraries, schools and other cultural institutions appeared. And in 1845, Essentuki received the status of a city and was declared a resort place.
At this time, the governor of the town was Prince Mikhail Vorontsov. Thanks to his indefatigable energy and love for this land, Essentuki turned from a village into a world-class resort. He bought land, landscaped and decorated the city.
Under Soviet rule, the city turned into an all-Union health resort. Spacious and modern sanatoriums, cinemas and other institutions have grown like mushrooms. Vacationers knew where to go and what to see in Essentuki. An artificial lake with beaches and a boat station was set up on the outskirts. On hot days, townspeople and visitors enjoyed relaxing on the sandy shore.
City today
Today, despite the provincial nature of the city and its well-established way, there are many places in it that you can go to in Essentuki. Most visitors are elderly people or families with children. Vacationers visit the sights of the city and entertainment venues. But young people will also find entertainment here to their liking.
The city has beautiful parks, museums, a theater, cinemas, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and many attractions. There are restaurants, cafes, night clubs.
Resort Park
One of the main attractions where to go in Essentuki is the Resort Park. It was defeated at Count Vorontsov at the end of the 19th century on the site of a swamp that did not dry up even in summer heat. Now the area of the park is 60 hectares, it is divided into Upper and Lower. It has footpaths for promenade, mineral baths and a drinking gallery, an inhalation for lung health, a department of mechanotherapy for training on simulators and an aerosolarium. Lovers of outdoor activities can play tennis, go dancing. For fans of chess open pavilion.
The park is very beautiful and bright due to the abundance of trees and flowers. Every year, landscape designers create new compositions for decoration. The panorama is complemented by arbors, fountains, stairs. Visitors are attracted by a singing fountain, whose jets soar up to the bewitching sounds of music. Various birds and squirrels settled in the park, which bring fun to the stellar beauty of nature.
Of particular interest to visitors are the crying grottoes. These are natural caves where you can see how mineral waters are formed. From the arch of the grotto, water drips like tears into a small lake. Such sources are at different depths and have different chemical composition.
Victory Park
Victory Park is another place to go in Essentuki. Here, the Eternal Flame is burning unquenchably in memory of those who gave their lives on the fronts of World War II and the Civil War. There are numerous attractions for visitors in the park.
sights
There are also many sights to go to in Essentuki. Many historical buildings are active hospitals. So, one of the most beautiful buildings is the Upper Mineral Baths located in the city park. The building in the Russian Empire style attracts attention with the elegance of architecture, and decorating statues.
Another famous attraction is the Zander Institute. The elegant pink structure with turrets and domes and wooden carvings is similar to a tower from a fairy tale. The building displays historical simulators for performing medical gymnastics, developed at the beginning of the last century by the Swedish doctor Gustav Zander. Most simulators are now in working condition and you can work out for anyone who wants to. This is a working health resort, but you can come here on a tour. By the way, the heroes of the legendary film "Love and Pigeons" met here.
Alekseevskaya mud bath was opened in 1915 at the height of the war. Its first patients were soldiers and officers wounded in battle. Today the mud bath continues to operate. The building is an architectural monument.
The city has many gazebos built in different historical periods. So, at the beginning of the last century, the Rococo musical arbor was erected, in which musicians regularly performed before the revolution. Currently, the music is sounding again. And in “Oreanda” in the pre-revolutionary time there was a real telescope and anyone who wanted could admire the stars and planets. Today there is no telescope, but the view from the gazebo fascinates no less than space.
The city has ancient churches and temples.
Museums
Those who prefer to combine treatment with visiting museums also have something to see in Essentuki. The local history museum will tell about the history of the city and the region. A significant part of the exposition is dedicated to the war years. A lot of exhibits found during archaeological excavations. Photos, documents, household items and other exhibits make up the main funds of the museum. There are five main expositions in total. Exit or thematic exhibitions are regularly held.
In Yessentuki, many famous people built cottages. Now they have home museums. So, the dachas of the outstanding surgeon Razumovsky, the famous opera singer F. Chaliapin and the traveling artist N. Yaroshenko are very popular.
Night clubs and cinemas
Despite the fact that the city is provincial and quiet, there are in Essentuki where to go in the evening. There are several cinemas where you can see the latest movie distribution or old favorite films.
Fans of noisy discos can look into popular nightclubs. Here you can take a break on the dance floor, sing karaoke or relax with a hookah.
Gourmets can go to dinner in restaurants and cafes, which are many in the city. They offer gourmet dishes, a varied menu.
Fun for kids
Many come to this resort with children. Many pensions and motels offer families relaxation. It offers vacationers equipped playgrounds, game rooms, animators, children's pools and a special menu.
Families who come to the resort, always raises the question of where to go with a child in Essentuki. In addition to walks in the parks, where children can enjoy the beauties of nature, run along the alleys and play on playgrounds, you can go to the amusement park in Victory Park. There is no extreme entertainment; most carousels are for kids. The whole family can ride on the Ferris Wheel and see the amazingly beautiful surroundings of the city from a bird's eye view.
You can go to entertainment complexes where kids can climb and overcome obstacles, swim in a pool filled with balls, play slot machines and board games.
There are two equestrian clubs in Essentuki where you can not only ride horses, but also get professional riding lessons.
You can bring the child to the zoo exatarium. In three rooms you can see different animals and insects. Some of them can be held in your hands or photographed.
You can go to the beach by the lake to soak up the gentle southern sun. It is equipped and well-maintained.
Where to go in Essentuki depends on the preferences of vacationers. Entertainment in the city is enough for every taste.