Description of the attraction
The Kutuzov fountain is one of the most famous memorial complexes in Crimea. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century. The fountain is located at the foot of Mount Demerdzhi in the place where a mountain stream called Sungu-Su flows. It is known that this stream is a healing source.
The first information received about the monument fountain dates back to 1804. At that time it was named after the Sungu-Su stream. The monument was built in the oriental style. Funds for its construction were provided by the Turkish officer Ismail-agi, who died in battle with the Russian troops. By 1830, the fountain became very popular as the Kutuzovsky fountain. According to legend, M. I. Kutuzov, who at that time was a legendary field marshal, owes his life to the waters of the source where the memorial was built.
Led by a battalion of grenadiers M. I. Kutuzov, at that time still a lieutenant colonel, on July 23, 1774 distinguished himself with particular courage in the battle with the Turkish army. The battle took place near the village of Shumy, which currently has a different name - Verkhnyaya Kutuzovka. This battle became a legend, since there were 10 times fewer soldiers in the Russian army than on the Turkish side. Legend has it that the Kutuzov battalion, including the lieutenant colonel himself, fought so bravely that they terrified Seraskir Haji Ali Bey himself. Seraskir was afraid that his army might die and decided to stop Kutuzov. Taking good aim, he fired a shot at the famous military leader and hit his left temple. Having received a terrible wound, the fearless commander fell to the ground. The seraskir bullet came out in the right eye.
Kutuzov was transferred by the grenadiers to the nearby Sungu-Su spring, where they began to wash his wound. The soldiers witnessed the miracle that was happening then. The blood stopped in front of their eyes, and the wound closed completely. Recovering himself, Kutuzov got to his feet. As a result, the Russian army put the 25 thousandth Turkish army to flight. Kutuzov, who lost his right eye in the battle, received the Order of St. George for his heroism. By that time he was 29 years old.
For miraculous healing, Kutuzov planted a poplar near the place where the wound he received was once washed. Later, a memorial was erected here, which was named Kutuzovsky. Having heard the story of the miraculous healing of Kutuzov, many people upon arrival in Crimea tried to drink water from this unique source with healing properties, near which a tree was planted by the famous field marshal. The memorial was reconstructed in 1832. By 1956, according to the architectural project of A. Babitsky, the memorial was redesigned by the sculptor L. Smerchinsky, who gave it its present appearance.
This is a very unusual monument in the form of a wall supporting a mountain. On the wall itself, there are carved inscriptions that tell about the events that took place in 1774. It also has an ornamental portrait of the legendary commander, under which a small fountain is installed. In front of the monument, there are cannonballs related to the time of the Crimean War.
The Kutuzov fountain is located in a beautiful area, near the slopes of Mount Demerdzhi in the south of the Angarsk pass. If you find yourself in Crimea, then be sure to take time to visit the sights of Alushta and look at the beautiful memorial, which was created in honor of the legendary personality.
