In the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, there rises one of the most extraordinary and beautiful natural formations - Mount Mashuk. For many centuries, this mountain has been attracting tourists, travelers, and adventure seekers, offering them a unique experience and unforgettable impressions. Mashuk is an extinct volcano in the past, and today it is the symbol of the resort city of Pyatigorsk, lying on its slopes.
A beautiful yet sad legend is associated with the name of the mountain. The beauty Mashuka fell in love with a young man named Tau. However, the wicked ruler Elbrus also desired to marry the beautiful Mashuka. He challenged Tau to a fight, and cunningly wounded the young man, then cut him into five pieces, creating the five-headed mountain Beshtau. "Beshtau" means "five" in one of the mountain languages. Upon seeing this, Mashuka fell next to her beloved, weeping and turning into stone from grief. Her tears turned into healing springs. Elbrus himself suffered in the battle; Tau cut his head into two, leaving him frozen in eternal snow with two heads.
Mount Mashuk is well-known for its healing mineral springs and unique microclimate. Since ancient times, locals have used the mineral water from Mashuk's springs for treating various illnesses. Today, Mashuk attracts numerous tourists eager to taste the purest mineral waters and enjoy the healing procedures offered in the famous resorts of Pyatigorsk.
The mountain is surrounded by dense forests, consisting of maples, pines, oaks, hazelnut, and beech trees, transforming the surroundings into a green paradise. The air is filled with the aromas of wild flora, and the bird songs sound like a marvelous melody. Climbing to the height of the mountain, travelers are rewarded with unique views of the surrounding landscape. One can see the majestic peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. To reach the summit, visitors can hike along a convenient asphalted trail or take the cable car, which, by the way, is the longest unsupported cable car in the world.
One of the main symbols of Mashuk is the Mashuk TV Tower, installed at the summit of the mountain, earning it the title of the tallest TV tower in Europe above sea level. At sunset, the tower's illumination turns on, and it brightly and beautifully shines with all the colors of the rainbow.
Moreover, there are two observation decks at the top of the mountain: the Eastern and Western decks. The Eastern deck is the best place to witness sunrises, and here guests can find columns with indicators showing distances to various cities in the world. Usually, everyone participates in the game "Find Your City." As for the Western deck, it has special benches for comfortably admiring the sunset and the magnificent view of Mount Beshtau.
