Lermontov: Culture and Landscape at Beshtau

• Lermontov extends along the western slopes of Beshtau.
• The city is part of the specially protected ecological resort region of Caucasian Mineral Waters.
• The surrounding area is noted for the mountains Beshtau, Sheludivaya, and Ostraya.
• The monument to M. Y. Lermontov stands in the city's cultural and recreation park.
• The Beshtaugorsky Second Athos Monastery for Men is considered a landmark of the city.

The monument to M. Y. Lermontov stands on the central avenue of the city's cultural and recreation park. Another named cultural site is the Palace of Culture dedicated to S. M. Kirov, at 18 Lenin Street. It is a historically and culturally significant monument of regional importance. The Eternal Flame memorial is located in Victory Square.

These three sites differ in kind: the monument is dedicated to M. Y. Lermontov, the Palace of Culture has regional landmark status, and the Eternal Flame is a memorial. The Beshtaugorsky Second Athos Monastery for Men is also considered a landmark of Lermontov. These named places thus offer different points of interest for travelers interested in culture and history.

The city's location is closely linked to Beshtau: Lermontov extends along its western slopes. The mountain itself is a natural monument of regional importance. The mountains Sheludivaya and Ostraya are also located in the area around Lermontov. Beshtau is therefore both a reference point for the city's location and part of the named mountain landscape in its surroundings.

Lermontov is part of the specially protected ecological resort region of Caucasian Mineral Waters. This regional designation sits alongside specific information about the mountains and the city's cultural sites. Those weighing a place to stay by its landscape and culture can therefore consider two different aspects: the mountain setting at Beshtau and the city's named monuments, memorial, and monastery.

A similarly named place is not in Lermontov itself: Lermontov Rock is on the southern outskirts of Kislovodsk, in the Olkhov Gorge near the settlement of Narzanny. Since 1961, it has been a natural monument of regional importance and part of the sites belonging to the State Mikhail Lermontov Museum-Reserve. The information about the rock is therefore regional context and should not be confused with the sights of the city of Lermontov.

Kislovodsk is also home to the Narzan Gallery in the city center, at the entrance to the spa park. The building is an architectural monument from the 19th century and a cultural heritage site of federal importance. Visitors are offered three varieties of Narzan to taste there: regular Narzan, Dolomite Narzan, and Sulfate Narzan. If you plan to sample them, check in advance whether tastings are being offered.

Another distinctive landscape feature in Kislovodsk is Mount Koltso. At an outcrop of the Borgustan Range, weathering and erosion created a passage through the rock measuring 8 by 10 meters. This description links a specific rock formation to its origin and dimensions.

Pyatigorsk is also part of the regional context: Mount Mashuk lies almost in the center of the city. The duel between Mikhail Lermontov and Nikolai Martynov took place at the mountain's western foot in 1841. Russia's first monument to Lermontov was unveiled in Pyatigorsk in 1889. Thus, alongside places in Lermontov, the region also offers distinct cultural and landscape points of interest in Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk.

Discover more destinations: Izobilny, Arbali, Svistukha, Blagodarny, Novoterskiy, Georgiyevsk, Vorovskoy, Mikhaylovsk.

Where is the monument to M. Y. Lermontov?

It stands on the central avenue of Lermontov's cultural and recreation park.

Is Lermontov Rock in Lermontov?

No. The rock is on the southern outskirts of Kislovodsk, in the Olkhov Gorge, near the settlement of Narzanny.

Which varieties of Narzan are offered at the gallery?

Regular, Dolomite, and Sulfate Narzan are offered for tasting. If you plan to sample them, check in advance whether tastings are being offered.

Go to the wider travel overview: Stavropol Region.