PENSION "ZVEZDNY"

A special feature of the pension is a unique castle built in 1893 by the architect Emmanuil Khodzhaev by an order of the Pyatigorsk merchant G. V. Alexandrov. The building was constructed asymmetrically. This design was emphasized with balconies, loggias, verandas and a wall ledge in the form of a castle tower. Its composition of Art Nouveau with a mixed oriental style embodies the characteristic principle of "from inside out". The front entrance, which leads to an elegantly curved two-way stone staircase, stands out especially. Interestingly, it is very similar to the palace in Tiflis (now Tbilisi) built in the same 1893 by Petersburg architect Pavel Shtern. Not only the layout of the building, but even minor architectural details of the Kislovodsk "Mukhtarov's Palace" repeat the appearance of the Tiflis palace.

By 1910, the mansion already belonged to the Rostov merchant M.O. Kulakov, and then was sold to the Baku oil magnate Murtuz Mukhtarov, whence its famous name came.

A that time, Mukhtarov as many rich persons who owned mansions in Kislovodsk, often hosted balls and social receptions. Receptions began at about 2 p.m. and ended after midnight. Musicians used to be brought from other cities. In the 1920s, when Soviet rule was established, many famous persons stayed here, and from here they went abroad.

After the revolution and the departure of Mukhtarov, the castle existed as a residential building and was later prepared for demolition, but in 1975, on the initiative of the pilot-cosmonaut Pavel R. Popovich and Academician Guy I. Severin, it was transferred to the Zvezdny pension and preserved in its original form.

Today, the castle is an object of regional cultural heritage. It is under reconstruction, after which the Guests of the city will be offered a "Presidential Apartments" unique in all respects.