Hot Spring Mountain Park. Hot Key Guide

06.03.2020

Aleksandrovsky source (Russia) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

Tours for May to Krasnodar region
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Within the city limits of Goryachy Klyuch, on the right bank of the Psekups river, Klyuchevaya Gora rises - a low rocky formation, indented by caves and gorges, enveloped in fragrant pine forests. Here, at the foot of the mountain, healing springs - the world famous mineral springs of Goryachiy Klyuch - gush out from under the age-old sandstone layers. The foot of the Klyuchevaya (or, as it is also called, Abadzekhskaya) mountain is rightly called the "constellation of springs" of the Hot Gorge. The oldest among them - the Aleksandrovsky spring - is actually considered the progenitor of the resort and the root cause of its foundation.

Not far from the Alexandrovsky spring are other attractions of the Hot Key: the Psyfabe fortress, Dantovo gorge, Petushok rock, Mineralnaya Polyana, the Valley of Enchantments and others.

The inhabitants of the North and West Caucasus have long appreciated the healing properties of the Alexander spring. Moreover, the local "living water" was known far beyond the borders of Asia. So, the ancient Greeks, for example, as a token of gratitude for the healing left at the foot of the mountain coins and jewelry that have survived to this day. The healing properties of water were also used by numerous tribes that lived here at different times: Hittites, Fats, Khazars and others.

In the first half of the 19th century, an infirmary and a general bath were built at the foot of the Abadzekh mountain. Soon after that - on June 15, 1864 - the ceremonial opening of the hydropathic establishment took place. All the sources were consecrated, and the largest of them, Aleksandrovsky and Mikhailovsky, were named accordingly. In the newly-made health resort, they practiced balneotherapy - treatment with mineral waters. In fact, from that moment, the massive use of the medicinal Psekup waters began.

And meanwhile, not everyone could get to the health resort. Only representatives of the Cossack estate and, with rare exceptions, some wealthy citizens were treated here. Commoners, on the other hand, were still steaming in the baths' drains, often earning new diseases for themselves instead of healing.

Later, the spa expanded into a military hospital, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was transformed into the first sanatorium. Currently, there are about two dozen such institutions in Goryachy Klyuch, including reputable medical institutions and small private health resorts. The magical waters of the Aleksandrovsky spring treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, digestive, respiratory, nervous systems and a host of other diseases. And besides, the local nature also has a beneficial effect: it is good for health and is pleasant to the soul. Not far from the Alexandrovsky spring are other attractions of the Hot Key: the Psyfabe fortress, Dantovo gorge, Petushok rock, Mineralnaya Polyana, the Valley of Enchantments and others.

How to get there

It is quite easy to get to the Aleksandrovsky spring. It is less than ten kilometers from railway station not far from the Goryachiy Klyuch sanatorium in the western end of the city. The sanatorium is the final stop public transport: buses reach here from almost any part of the city, in particular, from the station. You can also take an electric train from Goryachy Klyuch to Tuapse-Pass, which, by the way, follows the Valley of Enchantments.

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Where to stay:"If there is a paradise in the world, this is the Krasnodar Territory" - and, as befits a paradise, any tourist will be provided with an ideal accommodation to their liking and pocket. From the Taman Peninsula to the Georgian border there are hundreds of kilometers of coastline with a continuous line of resorts - noisy and quiet, lively and secluded, historical and modern. The most popular are Sochi, Tuapse, Anapa and Gelendzhik. And then there is a whole bunch of resort villages and towns.
What to see: in the asset of any resort Krasnodar Territory for sure there will be an embankment, a city garden, a museum and a water park, as well as five or two natural attractions - caves, gorges, canyons and rocks. The most-most in the region - the Olympic facilities in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana, the museum-cruiser "Mikhail Kutuzov" in Novorossiysk, Fanagoria - an archaeological park and a winery,

In the middle of March, as soon as more or less suitable weather was established, we decided to make the first "outing" this year to local resorts. And our first object was Goryachy Klyuch.
The name of the resort Goryachiy Klyuch is known to many in our country, even to those who have never been here, thanks to the mineral water of the same name. It is here that this healing water is obtained, which then, in familiar bottles "with a deer", ends up on the shelves of all stores in our country.

The resort is located next to the federal highway M4-Don, approximately halfway between Krasnodar and Dzhubga, so those who traveled on Krasnodar resorts along this route, they simply could not help but pay attention to the impressive hotel complex "Old Castle", which can be called one of the city's business cards.

The "Old Castle" is located on the banks of the Psekups River, while the city is located on the other side. You can cross the bridge, which for some reason is called "Happy". It also has another name - the "Hope" bridge. It is quite impressive modern suspension bridge that sways slightly under your feet.

Approaching the resort area, you will immediately feel the specific smell of hydrogen sulfide. There is a hydrogen sulphide spring not far from the bridge.In the warm season, you can often see a group of people sitting in the water near the shore. It is here that this source is located, which is considered to be healing. Noteworthy is the unusual color of the water - emerald green.

Crossing the bridge, you find yourself in the Mountain Park. Generally, resort area The city is divided into two parts: in fact, the sanatorium-resort area, where the sanatoriums, the drinking gallery are located, and the mountainous part, which is very picturesque and unique. The city is located in the foothills of the Caucasus, so there is a special relief, mountainous climate, interesting vegetation. Already in March, the first flowers bloom everywhere.

The first thing that you will see at the central site of the mountain park is a monument to the famous physiologist I.P. Pavlov. Everyone remembers from the school curriculum about "Pavlov's dog", but few people know that he was studying the beneficial properties of mineral waters. And although Pavlov was not in Goryachy Klyuch, his scientific research did not go unnoticed here.

To the right of the monument is an old blue and white building. This is an officer's hydropathic establishment, built in the 19th century. Here, officers of the Russian army restored their health during and after the many years of the Caucasian war. Today the building houses the Kingdom of Neptune aquarium.

Behind this building is interesting object, which is called the Adyghe pillar. It dates back to the 12th century. This is a fragment of a column that somehow got here from Byzantium. On it are engraved inscriptions in ancient Arabic, and next to it there is a stone with a tablet on which the translation of the inscription is given.

Mineral glade

If you turn right from the pillar (from the side where the inscription is), you will follow the path to Mineralnaya Polyana. This is a kind of "heart" of the park. Mount Abadzekh rises above the meadow. In some places on the hills you can see images of white birds - or swans, or cranes. Perhaps this is due to some ancient legend, but, unfortunately, with which one, I don’t know. The places are very beautiful, however, the general impression is spoiled by the numerous "autographs" left by modern savages.

Mineral glade is a large rectangular area artificially carved out of the rock. The name of the glade is not accidental, since it was here that the Psekup mineral waters came to the surface - the main treasure of these places.

For a long time this place was not comfortable, but the local tribes living here (ancestors of the Circassians), and then the pilgrims still made their way to the springs for healing water. Today everything here is equipped, ennobled, but water from the springs no longer flows to the surface - it is diverted through special pipes to the drinking gallery.

The glade is located among the hills, so it is very quiet, calm, in addition, there are several interesting objects on it. The first is an obelisk standing in the very center of the site, dedicated to…. mineral water of the resort. Yes, yes, it is considered the only monument in the world in honor of the mineral waters that healed many people, gave them strength, health and longevity, as well as in honor of “all who worked to create the resort” (as it is written on the monument itself). The monument was erected in this place in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the resort, in 1914.

It is also located here healing source Saint Panteleimon. The water in the spring is saturated with iron, so it has a specific taste - as if drinking from a rusty dish, a very unpleasant taste of rust remains in the mouth. The water flows very weakly, so it takes a very long time to fill the bottle, and you risk collecting a long line after you. But there is no point in pouring this water into a bottle, since it loses its properties very quickly - iron precipitates after a few minutes. Therefore, it is better to come up with a glass and take a few sips, as well as wash. This water is believed to have a rejuvenating effect. You can put a candle nearby.

In the mineral meadow there is an interesting chapel, very small, and as if it had grown out of a rock. This is the chapel of the Iberian Mother of God, it was built here in the 19th century. Its inner part is a small Abdzekh grotto or cave carved into the rock, which is adjoined by a blue extension with a turret. Nearby there is a small depression in the form of a stone arch, reminding that there used to be another spring here - the Iversky spring. the source was here back in the 20s of the last century, but after the shifts of the mountain layers that occurred here, the source disappeared.

Dante gorge

Further, the so-called "health path" begins, which opens with a passage in the rock, which received beautiful name- "Dante's Gorge" - a fault in the rock. But before entering the Dante gorge, located between the boulders, hardly anyone can resist not trying to climb the mountain along specially carved depressions for hands and feet.
This kind of "attraction" is called the Rock of Seduction, as few people will pass and will not be tempted to climb up. Of course, this is especially liked by children - schoolchildren excursion groups there is always a lot here from early spring to late autumn.

The Dante Gorge itself is not very long, but very picturesque, maximum depth the fault is 15 meters, stone steps lead upward between the boulders, a stream gurgles nearby, the water in which is clean, quite drinkable. However, again the impression is spoiled by the "rock painting" of modern "cavemen". The fact is that the rock here is very soft, easily amenable to a knife, and therefore everyone strives to leave a "good" memory of himself here.

Climbing up the Dante gorge, you need to follow the path that turns in the opposite direction and goes parallel to the gorge almost directly above it. From the path you can look down and see a gorge, a stream. Moving further, you can look from above and at Mineralnaya Polyana.

Psyfabe fortress

Presumably, it was on the mountain above the mineral meadow that the ancient fortress Psyfabe (translated as "warm water") was located. Until our time, nothing has remained of it. There is an unusual small stone structure, which many people take for the remains of a fortress, but in fact, this is an old drainage basin that has nothing to do with the fortress. Nevertheless, this structure often appears in photographs and is passed off as part of a fortress.

The fortress, indeed, was once here, and a legend is connected with it about a beautiful princess, the daughter of a local prince who lived in this fortress, and a villain in love with her, who wooed the princess, but was refused. Then, in revenge, he bewitched the princess, which caused her to become covered with terrible disfiguring ulcers. The frightened father turned to the magician, who advised the princess to take baths with local spring water, and a miraculous healing occurred. The villain, as a punishment, was imprisoned underground, where he was forever doomed to kindle fires and heat huge cauldrons of water, which is why hot springs are beating here.

After walking a few more meters, you will come to the so-called Tsar's pavilions. In fact, nothing remains here from the royal arbors, built in the 19th century, but the old name remains behind the modern arbors. The largest gazebo is located on the very high point, the next one is right next to the place where the "crest" of the Rooster Rock or the Rock of Salvation is located.

There used to be a gazebo, built for the arrival of the Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich (brother of Emperor Alexander II) in 1864, but under the influence of the river, part of the rock collapsed, and with it the gazebo, and at the site of the collapse, a "ridge" was formed - almost sheer part of the rock.

Rooster Rock or Salvation Rock

This rock is rightfully considered one of the main symbols of the city. With its outlines, it resembles a cockscomb. Daredevils often try to walk along this narrow ridge. From here a wonderful view opens up to Psekups and the surroundings, to the foothills of the Caucasus.

The Rooster Rock has another name - the Rock of Salvation. there are many legends associated with this title. According to one of them, the Ancient Circassians gave an opportunity to a criminal convicted of death penalty, save your life. He could jump off this cliff at Psekups if he managed to survive, the sentence was not enforced, but he was expelled from the tribe forever.
Most best view the Petushok rock opens from the opposite bank. There in the territory hotel complex « Old fortress»There is a platform from which you can view this rock in detail. A very steep stone staircase rises from the river along its entire height. Before our eyes, one risky guy tried to go down it, but after a few steps he abandoned this dangerous venture.

Actually, the sights of the mountain park end here. Along the path along the river you can return to the site with the monument to I.P. Pavlov, from where to go to the resort park.

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Goryachy Klyuch surprised and made us happy in winter. I already told that on new year holidays it was very warm there.

And now I will tell (and show) about our walk through the Goryachiy Klyuch Mountain Park.

He has a long history. Goryachiy Klyuch Mountain Park is part of Healing park Hot Key, created in 1870. The place is absolutely amazing and amazing.

Goryachiy Klyuch Park was not grown, but created in a natural natural area, only having ennobled the landscape, laying alleys and erecting various buildings.

The years passed. The green zone grew, widened, prettier.

Today, the Hot Key Healing Park is unusually good. It consists of two parts - the Lower (where the sanatoriums and the hydropathic establishment) and the Mountain Park.

It is in the latter that the most interesting natural sights of Goryachiy Klyuch are located: Mineralnaya Polyana, Dante Gorge, Salvation Rock (Petushok), an iron spring, a warm hydrogen sulfide spring and Abadzekh Key Mountain.

Walk in the Goryachiy Klyuch Mountain Park

The mountain park is perhaps the most a nice place Hot Key.

It is best to look at the Petushok rock from the right bank - the one where the Old Castle stands. From there, the entire rock is visible. And it is immediately clear why it was called that - it resembles the comb of a rooster.

Rock Cockerel

We cross the Happy Bridge over the Psekups River.

Bridge over the river Psekups

The water in the river is calm, smooth, the sky is reflected in it.

View of the Psekups river from the bridge

And it is best to admire the Old Castle from the left bank.

Old lock

After going up against the river flow, we find ourselves on the square where the Embankment and the Quiet Alley intersect. On the square we see the Pillar of Memory, erected three centuries ago in honor of Prince Khapach Lakshuk, who died on his way back from Mecca. The monument was erected by another prince, with whom Khapach traveled to Mecca.

Memory Pillar

It is considered a good omen to put a coin on top of the post. Especially for travelers.

It is interesting that the basis of the monument was a Greek marble column, which is also a sundial. The column is covered with words in the ancient Turkic language.

And there is also a bust of the famous academician Pavlov.

Bust of Academician Pavlov

I never found why a monument was erected to him in Goryachy Klyuch. They say the academician was just relaxing here. Is this alone enough to erect a monument to a person? Maybe someone knows the history of the monument?

On Quiet Alley, we met an old-timer. If you can call it that. We ate shawarma on a bench (by the way, shawarma in Goryachy Klyuch is not as tasty as in Rostov-on-Don, and is less than two times in size - if you have ever tried real Rostov shawarma, then you know what I mean). A cat has joined us. Tourists passing by began stroking him and told us a story.

Cat from Quiet Alley

It turns out that this cat settled here, on the Quiet Alley, as a kitten. Everyone knows him, loves and feeds him. The most interesting thing is that every day he goes on his watch, and in the evening he goes somewhere to spend the night.

So if you go here - feed the cat. He usually sits at the first bench from the toilet (which has a sign "Country of the Mountains").

Mineral glade

Then we head to Mineralnaya Polyana. Nice quiet place.

Mineral glade

In the center is a unique obelisk. This is the Monument to Mineral Water. Nowhere else on Earth is there anything like this.

The Iverskaya chapel seemed to have grown out of a rock. Previously, there was the Iberian spring. And in the 19th century, a beautiful small chapel was carved into the rock.

Iverskaya chapel

Not far from the chapel is the source of St. Panteleimon the Healer. People willingly drink from there, as it is believed that the water is not only holy, but also rejuvenating. Our youngest daughter is rejuvenated.

Panteleimonovsky Ferrous Spring

By the way, if you want to take healing water with you, it doesn't make sense. Quite quickly, all useful minerals precipitate and such water is no longer useful.

Mysterious Dante Gorge

Then we head to the Dante gorge.

Entrance to the Dante Gorge

At the entrance to it there are steps in the rock, which children especially like to climb.

Rock of Seductions

A narrow stone gorge is covered and overgrown with moss. A stream flows along it. Here you can look at the drawings and inscriptions carved into the pliable sandstone for a long time. Some of the category "Kisa and Osya were here", and some of the drawings are really beautiful.

We go to the Dante gorge

Key at the entrance to the Dante Gorge

Petroglyphs of Dante's gorge

Steps lead up the gorge.

A stream flows along the stairs along the gorge

Incredibly picturesque. I really like this sight of Goryachiy Klyuch.

Climbing up, you can admire Mineralnaya Polyana from above.

Mineral glade. View from above

It's nice to walk in nature, where everything is arranged: stairs, gazebos. You can walk here in any weather, even in the rain.

Rock Petushok is an excellent observation deck

If you go higher, there will be an old reservoir for water, built of stones from the ancient (more precisely, medieval) fortress Psyfabe.

Antique water reservoir

Ridge of the Rock Cockerel

In winter, when the foliage does not obstruct the view, all the surroundings are perfectly visible from here - both the Psekups river valley and the Old Castle.

View from the rock Petushok to the Psekups river

... and to the Old Castle

An old staircase, carved into the rock, leads from the top of the rock to the water itself. The steps are erased, in some places they are not left, it is unsafe to go down.

Stairs from the Rooster cliff to the Psekups river

Sonorous cave

To the left of the Rock Petushok there is a narrow path that turns into a staircase leading down.

The beginning of the path to the Call Cave

The steps of soft sandstone have worn down so much over the years that in some places instead of steps there are just bumps.

Stairway to the Bell Cave

The lower, the more the steps are chipped away.

Extremely ...

Along this extreme staircase, wire stretches on metal posts, but everything is shaking. The wire is broken in places and just hangs. I hope it was not cut off under someone ...

The path leads to a grotto with a bench. Very romantic.

Mysterious Voiced Cave

This small grotto is called the Voiced Cave.

And from the Bell Cave there is a staircase to the side ... to nowhere

Later, trying to find information about this place, I found out that the name of the Ringing Cave was not accidental. While there, you can hear what is being said on the other side of the river. Even if they speak very quietly. Strange, isn't it?

Judging by the fact that there is a shop there, there are listeners.

It’s a pity I didn’t know about it before. It would be interesting to check whether it is really possible to hear voices there from the other side of Psekups ...

It seems that it is along these stairs to the Psekups River that fishermen, who like to stand with a fishing rod, go down in the morning. For fishermen, such a descent is a common thing, but I was very impressed by this staircase. Falling here is pretty dangerous ...

It is a pity that no one wants to trim the hewn steps so that they can be safely walked on. One more wonderful place The Hot Key would become more accessible for curious tourists.

Abadzekh mountain

Even higher, the Goryachiy Klyuch park turns into a real forest.

Forest on the Abadzekh mountain

Our children are at rest

We climbed the Abadzekh mountain. It is difficult to say that we walked in the winter forest. Still, the winter forest is snow-covered trees. You can see for yourself what Goryachy Klyuch was like in winter this January. I even unbuttoned my light jacket when, getting up, I was slightly out of breath.

Winter forest looks more like autumn

The weather is like October. Warmly. The sun is shining with might and main.

How not to look into such a hollow?

Now, when it is already winter with us, it is hard to believe that on New Year's holidays we walked in the warm forest, warmed by the winter sun. And only 300 kilometers from us ...

Did you like the Goryachy Klyuch Mountain Park?

I have already talked about other attractions of Goryachiy Klyuch, you can read more in order to navigate what you can see there.

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Hot Spring Mountain Park. Hot Key Guide

How to get there

Mineral glade

Dante gorge

Psyfabe fortress

Rooster Rock or Salvation Rock

Walk in the Goryachiy Klyuch Mountain Park

Mineral glade

Mysterious Dante Gorge

Rock Petushok is an excellent observation deck

Sonorous cave

Abadzekh mountain

More interesting articles about Goryachy Klyuch:

Healing Park and Mineralnaya Polyana in Goryachy Klyuch