Until the 1990s, the place where Nalchik is located was known throughout the USSR. The resort city was not inferior in popularity to the Caucasian Mineral Waters. In the last decade of the last century, Kabardino-Balkaria squandered all its hospitality, solving ethno-confessional and political problems. Now the resort area of the North Caucasus is experiencing its rebirth. According to TourStat, in 2017 it entered the top of the fastest growing regions of Russia in domestic tourism. Over the season, more than 450 thousand people visited this wonderful land.
Geographic location
Nalchik is located at the latitude where Italian Florence and French Nice are located. The longitude neighbor is Borjomi in Georgia. The city is protected from the north winds by the Caucasus Range, in the foothills of which lies the pearl of the region. In about 4 hours you can reach the sea and change courageous mountains to endless expanses of water. To the Black Sea - go to the west, the Caspian at the same distance, only from the east.
The origin of the toponym
Three centuries ago, at the place where Nalchik is located, the villages of the first princes of Kabarda were broken. According to legend, the horse of one of them lost a horseshoe in clay soil, which is difficult to move after rain. The place that rips the heels off the legs of the horses and began to call "Nal schych." In Turkic languages, the suffix “chik” or “chic” is diminutive. "Horseshoe" - so you can translate the name of the city into Russian.
There is another version. It is based on geographical location. The place where Nalchik is located is carefully guarded by the mountains. A bird's eye view shows a half-ring resembling a horseshoe in shape. Near the river of the same name flows, also making a characteristic bend. It is as if higher powers guard the city and portend prosperity to it. Is there any need to explain why the horseshoe is depicted on the emblem of the city?
What attracts tourists?
People go to this balneological and mountain-climatic resort of Kabardino-Balkaria for health and relaxation.
Firstly, the valley where Nalchik is located is located 550 meters above sea level. The air of the foothills is not spoiled by plants and factories. They are simply not in the city. The village is buried in vegetation. Mandatory to visit is the Atazhukinsky Garden park. It is the oldest and largest in the North Caucasus. Since the mid-19th century, plants have been grown in it from all parts of the world. If you did not know, then the blue spruce trees planted along the Kremlin wall were brought from this garden.
Secondly, numerous sources of mineral water. The depth of the wells is about 1,500 meters. A natural elixir rises from the bowels of the earth, which treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system.
Thirdly, you can take a course of mud baths from Lake Tambukan. The range of indications for use is very wide. She will literally put on her feet, add health and beauty.
Locals cherish the centuries-old traditions of their ancestors and the
nature of their native land. Where Nalchik is located, you can spend an unforgettable vacation with health benefits.