Gelendzhik Landmarks

THE 10 BEST Gelendzhik Sights & Historical Landmarks

Gelendzhik Landmarks

Sights & Landmarks
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What travelers are saying

  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I haven't been there for almost two years. This time around it was early September that I took a walk along that wonderful waterfront again.
    Marvellous! I chose sunset time which is absolutely the best part of the day to admire both the embankment and the nature. Gelendzhik bay sparkles with purple-red, orange and lilac flares falling on the water, the sun slowly disappears in the sea, stars start to sparkle above. And beneath all this there bustle cafes, restaurants and champagne bars, stalls sell whatever stuff one can imagine, laidback idlers saunter to and fro, street musicians massage their instruments.
    There was something new there, however, - I noticed a new monument not far from the Primorye hotel. A Mr Kisel'. Who knows the guy? Well, definitely no-one among rare foreign visitors. Okay, skip it.
    Gelendzhik, dear, you're getting better and better and better. Full speed ahead, buddy!
    Strongly recommended!
    Written November 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    But this is not the case - the monument was erected in 2010 so the bride is kinda young, just nine years old.
    All joking aside, this sad elegant lady has a reason to be dolorous - before these lands were captured by Russian Empire from Turkey in 1829 there had been a female slave market here. Girls had been sold by highlanders from Caucasia, mostly Chechens, for Turkish harems. Slavic ones had been the most precious - blondes.
    She's called White Bride somewhat inaccuratly. In Turkish "gelincik" means "a bride" when this word is said with endearment and affection (sort of "sweet little bride"). This gave this town's name - and its symbol.
    And "white bride", by the way, is "beyaz gelin" in Turkish.
    Written October 23, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This small lighthouse was built in 1906 and is still working! You can't miss it while taking promenade along the gourgeous Gelendzhik embankment. In WWII, when the Red Army was on the verge of leaving the town an order was given to blow it up but somehow it was not fulfilled, the front line subsequently stabilized and Gelendzhik stayed in Russian hands.
    The buiding needs at least some refurbishment, though. It's even more obvious if one juxtapose it to a nice villa shining in the sun nearby.
    Written October 25, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This creation by a Novorossiysk sculptor appeared here in 2008 and since then has become a Mecca for everyone living in or coming to Gelendzhik. It features characters of the introduction to Pushkin's poem "Ruslan and Lyudmila" every single Russian knows: "There's a green oak-tree by the shores/Of the blue bay; on a gold chain,/The cat, learned in the fable stories,/Walks round the tree in ceaseless strain;/Moves to the right - a song it groans,/Moves to the left - it tells a tale./There're marvels there: the wood-sprite roams,/Midst branches shines the mermaid's tale".
    So the cat is not at all "the Scientist", as this site claims, but the guy "learned in fable stories". As to the statue, this big and wise pet is not walking along the chain either and the latter is not made of gold (fake!). But, first, - who cares? and, then - otherwise everything's correct.
    There are so many waggish stories related to this monument! The most important photographer of Russia made a selfie here (try and guess who he is), students rub the cat's nose and left paw before taking a quiz, some not very sober passers-by strived to kiss the feline on the lips, others climbed the oak-tree to reach the mermaid's ... not tail, some even tried to steal links of the chain (quazi-golden!). Well, welcome to Russia - but local police still keep a watchful eye upon it.
    FUN!!!
    Written October 25, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    I saw it in mid-March, on a cold windy day. The skies were grey, it seemed like it was going to rain. I was looking at that statue and thought that Soviet past still ruled in minds of those who governed Gelendzhik. The guy looks as if coming from the seventies - obsolete camera, obsolete outfit, obsolete appearance. Why so? Don't we have pre-communist history? Or post-communist period?
    I'd erect here a monument to a Russian XIXth century soldier who defended these lands after they had been captured from Turkey. His life was very tough, by the way, and we shouldn't forget it.
    Avoid.
    Written March 21, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nigelsmith30
    Anderby Creek5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    we were driving along when my wife shouted " stop ! i want to see this " We then spent a great time looking at these amazing constructions and maybe even longer being entertained by the owner of this attraction , a truly great experience and well worth visiting
    Written May 23, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • vladimir h
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the things I wanted to see in Gelendzhik. Not a long walk from the automobile. Good views from here of the area.
    Written June 14, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is really new. This waterfront was inaugurated in 2017 and I bet it was Gazprom that provided money for it (major part of new construction around has been financed by them).
    Me and my wife walked here in mid-March. We like this place - beautiful, peaceful, tidy, with gorgeous sea views. I remember it some ten years ago. Dusty, ill-maintained, no fencing for pedestrians, just a memento mori pictograph by the cliffs welcoming you.
    Gelendzhik, my love, you're one of the prettiest towns I saw in my long life! I travelled a lot - 85 countries - so I know what I'm talking about.
    Written March 22, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Actually, this lighthouse is a restricted area because Black Sea coast is regarded by Russian authorities as sort of state border (with Turkey?). It does not mean, however, that one cannot take a walk by the seaside. Steep cliffs, indigenous pines, picturesque environment - it's all worth it.
    There's also a restaurant on the tip of the cape (not the one I mentioned above) so one can mix "business" with little pleasure and admire spellbinding sunset with sipping on a glass of good local wine.
    C'mon try it!
    Written March 21, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    My wife and I visited it in the end of March when driving to the local airport to meet our relative. The day was rather windy and sort of cold so there practically was no-one there.
    The temple is still under construction so one can only visit an underground chapel. Too sumptuous, to my mind. The place, however, is picturesque, especially a sea panorama. Stunning!
    (It was funny to see a rubber outdoor mat at the entrance with a word "Welcome" - in English. Nice Western decoration for an orthodox cathedral.)
    Hardly recommended. There are thousands and thousands of churches of this kind in Russia.
    Written March 28, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Takarasina
    2,101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Me, my wife and our two grandsons of 7 and 9 visited that place in September. It's still a pretty warm season in Gelendzhik with notably less people around so a nice opportunity to drive up there without fuss'n'fight.
    Yes, unless one is gung-ho for climbing it's advisable to take a 4x4. Cross-country routes are bumpy, of course, but views and panoramas unrolling around are really awe-inspiring.
    The fortress' ruins are artificial - they were built as decorations for an eponymous film telling about one of episodes of the 2000 Russo-Chechen War. Well, okay - but who cares as long as it elegantly and naturally fits into the environment?!
    Strongly recommended! Just don't drink dubious liquid locals offer as "home-made liquor" up there. Bum wine!
    (The views are best at sunset.)
    Written February 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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