On August 27, four stamps dedicated to the architecture of Caucasian Mineral Waters were put into postal circulation in the Cultural Heritage of Russia series

Kavkazskie Mineralnye Vody (Caucasian Mineral Waters) is a group of resorts of federal significance in the Stavropol Territory, a specially protected environmental and resort region of the Russian Federation. Kislovodsk is situated higher than the rest spas (817-1063 m), the other resorts are located approximately at the same altitude: Essentuki stands along the Podkumok River (600-640 m), Pyatigorsk is at the foot of the Mashuk Mountain (510-630 m), and Zheleznovodsk is located in the valley between the Beshtau and Zheleznaya mountains, as well as on the slopes at the foot of the latter (600-650 m). The resorts dispose of more than 130 mineral springs and large reserves of silt mud from Lake Tambukan and Lake Lysogorskoe, which makes the Caucasian Mineral Waters a unique balneotherapeutic health resort. The region is notable for picturesque natural landscapes, mountain healthful climate. The main specialization profile of the spas is the provision of medical and health-improving services and treatment with world famous waters and mineral muds.

The Ostrovsky Baths are a calling card of the town of Zheleznovodsk. The exterior and interior decoration of the baths was designed by architect P. Suzor. The Moorish style was chosen for this purpose, which is perfectly in tune with the atmosphere of the resort. It was decided to place the Ostrovsky baths on the market square of Zheleznovodsk. Their construction was completed in 1893.

The Narzannaya Gallery is an architectural monument of the 19th century located in the resort park of Kislovodsk. The first capping built around the spring was a wooden well with a fence around it. It was built in 1823 and existed for about 30 years. In later years, English architect S. Upton was invited to build the Narzannaya Gallery. According to his plan, the building was to unite the spring, the gallery and the baths under one roof. In 1851, the architect created a new stone pool on the place of the former wooden capping. The gallery was built in the style of Gothic Romanticism and its shape resembled a keyhole with the Narzan spring in its center. The construction was completed in 1853.

The Lermontov Baths in Pyatigorsk were built in 1825-1831. At first, they were named Nikolayevskiye, in honor of Emperor Nicholas I, but in the 20th century, they were renamed as Lermontovskiye. They are related with the poet by the fact that on his arrival to the Caucasus he used to take medical procedures here. He liked to take long walks near the building of the baths, describing his stay at the resort in his letters.

The Gallery above Spring No. 17 in Essentuki is a listed architectural monument. This building houses the pump-room of the Essentuki spa town's healing waters. Every year, thousands of tourists and residents of the town take healing water here. In 1848, the project of the drinking gallery for Spring No. 17 was approved. The architect was Englishman S. Upton. The building is made in the Moorish style.

The postage stamps feature architectural monuments of the Stavropol Territory: the Ostrovsky Baths, the Narzannaya Gallery, the Lermontov Baths, and the Gallery above Spring No. 17.

In addition to the issue of the postage stamp, JSC Marka produced First Day Covers and special cancels for Moscow and Stavropol.


Design Artist: A. Moskovets.
Face value: 30 rubles.
Stamp size: 40×28 mm, sheet size: 100×80 mm.
Emission form: a sheet with formatted margins with 4 (2×2) stamps (a block of four).
Quantity: 20 thousand each stamp (20 thousand sheets).

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