Pyatigorsk: Between Lermontov and Mount Mashuk

• Proval is an underground lake on the southeastern slope of Mount Mashuk, accessible through a long tunnel.
• Mount Mashuk is designated a natural monument and has the status of a protected historical and cultural area.
• Tsvetnik Park is considered the city’s oldest park; it was laid out in the summer of 1828 near the St. Nicholas Baths.
• The Lermontov House became part of the M. Y. Lermontov State Museum Reserve in 1973 and is a historical monument of federal significance.

The Gates of Love, also known as the Sun Gates, are a viewpoint on the slope of Mount Mashuk. From there, you can see across Pyatigorsk to Mount Beshtau and the Yutsa and Dzhutsa mountains. By contrast, the Chinese Gazebo stands on the summit of Mount Goryachaya: a freestanding metal pavilion in the western part of the summit. From there, you can see Pyatigorsk and the mountains Beshtau and Mashuk. The two viewpoints thus differ both in location and in the views described.

There are three well-maintained walking paths through the mixed forest on the slopes of Mount Mashuk, among oak and maple trees. In addition, three routes for health-promoting walks, known as terrenkurs, are designated on the mountain. If you are planning your route, you can consider the forest paths and terrenkurs as different descriptions of the walking options; no information about trail lengths or walking times is provided here.

Tsvetnik Park is another destination in its own right for a walk. It was laid out in 1828 on the orders of General A. P. Yermolov and is considered Pyatigorsk’s oldest park. City exhibitions, festivals and concerts are often held there, although no event dates are given here. The Lermontov Gallery is a prominent feature of the park and one of the city’s landmarks.

Diana’s Grotto in the southern part of Tsvetnik Park is a cool, shaded grotto. Architect Giuseppe Bernardazzi designed it in the spring of 1830; it was built by the summer of 1831 and completed the following autumn. Mikhail Lermontov visited the grotto many times. A notable event there was the “country ball” on the evening of July 8, 1841: Lermontov and his friends held it in front of the grotto in honor of some ladies. For this one-time occasion, the grotto was decorated with greenery, carpets and colorful lanterns.

The Lermontov House brings together a historical site and a memorial to the poet. An exhibition at the house museum focuses on Lermontov in the Caucasus and his role in the history of Russian culture. Guided tours and lectures, as well as exhibitions and displays about the poet’s life and work, are held there regularly. The current presentation may change; if a particular exhibition matters to you, check the latest information before your visit.

The Pyatigorsk Museum of Local Lore was founded in 1903 as the museum of the Caucasian Mining Society. Its permanent exhibitions cover topics including the natural environment of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, the history of the Pyatigorsk area and the Great Patriotic War. This lets you distinguish between the focus on city and regional history and the focus on Lermontov’s life and work. The left wing of the Academic Gallery also houses an insect museum, with a large collection of local and exotic butterflies, as well as live snakes, owls and chameleons. Check current visiting options before your visit.

Proval is accessible through a long tunnel. The lake’s water is bright blue; bubbles form on the surface as hydrogen sulfide evaporates. There is a paved square and benches at the entrance to the tunnel. An audio guide tells the lake’s story and reads excerpts from well-known novels. As availability may change, it is advisable to ask about the audio guide and facilities on site before your visit.

You can reach the lake by bus route 1 or on foot along Gagarin Boulevard. The boulevard leads to Proval and continues along Kirov Avenue. Route information may change, so check the current service before setting out. When looking for hotels, you can first decide whether park walks, museum visits, Lermontov sites, or paths and viewpoints on Mount Mashuk will shape your stay. This can help you tailor your choice of accommodation to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Mineralnye Vody, Arbali, Georgievsk, Donskoye, Mikhaylovsk, Inozemtsevo, Ternovka.

What can you see from the Gates of Love, or Sun Gates?

The viewpoint on the slope of Mount Mashuk offers views of Pyatigorsk, Mount Beshtau and the Yutsa and Dzhutsa mountains.

How do you get to Proval?

You can reach the lake by bus route 1 or on foot along Gagarin Boulevard. Check the current route before setting out.

What is on offer at the Lermontov House?

Guided tours and lectures, as well as exhibitions and displays about the poet’s life and work, are held at the house regularly. Current presentations may change.

For the wider travel overview: Stavropol Krai.