Kutuzovsky Fountain is one of the most famous memorial complexes in Crimea. It was erected in the early XIX century in a place at the foot of Mount Demerdzhi, where flows a healing spring — mountain stream Sungu-Su.
The monument-fountain was first mentioned in 1804 under the name given to it in honor of the Sungu-Su brook. The original fountain was built at the expense of the son of the Turkish officer Ismail-aga, who was killed in battle with Russian troops. The fountain was erected in oriental style. But already in 1830 the fountain became widely known as the Kutuzovsky Fountain.
There is a legend that the waters of the spring, near which the memorial was built, saved the life of the legendary Field Marshal M.I. Kutuzov.
On July 23, 1774, then Lieutenant Colonel Kutuzov led a battalion of grenadiers near the village of Shumy (now the village of Verkhnyaya Kutuzovka) bravely fought the Turkish army. There were almost 10 times more soldiers in this army than on the Russian side. A legend was written about this battle.
According to this legend, Kutuzov’s battalion and the lieutenant colonel himself fought so bravely that seraskir Haji-Ali-bey realized that if not to stop Kutuzov, the entire Turkish army will die. Then Seraskir properly aimed and shot at the commander, hitting him in the left temple. The bullet came out at the right eye, Kutuzov fell, struck by a terrible wound. Then the grenadiers carried him to the nearby spring Sungu-Su and began to wash the wound. Before the eyes of the soldiers a miracle happened — the blood stopped, and the wound healed, Kutuzov came to himself. As a result, three thousand Russian army managed to turn 25 thousand Turks into flight. The 29-year-old Kutuzov, who lost his right eye in this battle, was awarded the Order of St. George for his heroism.
In gratitude for his healing, Kutuzov planted a poplar tree at the place where his wound was washed, and later the memorial erected there came to be known as the Kutuzov Memorial. Many people, having heard the story of Kutuzov’s miraculous healing, coming to Crimea, sought to drink water from the healing spring near the place where the famous field marshal planted a tree.
In 1832 the memorial was reconstructed, and in 1956, according to the architectural design of A. Babitsky by sculptor L. Smerchinsky, it was moved and acquired its present form. The monument is very peculiar — it looks like a wall supporting the mountain. On the wall are carved inscriptions telling about the events that took place in 1774, and there is a high relief portrait of the great commander. There is a small fountain under the portrait. In front of the memorial, to which a small pedestal with four steps leads, on two stone pedestals there are cannonballs from the Crimean War.
Whether the legend is true or not, one thing is certain. As a commander and as a person who defeated Napoleon’s army, the legendary Field Marshal M.I. Kutuzov was formed in the Crimea, not far from Alushta in a battle that will forever remain in people’s memory, which played a significant role in the liberation of the Crimea. And the Kutuzov Fountain will always resurrect that historical moment in the memory of people visiting this place, will remind of the bravery and heroism of the great commander and his soldiers.
Kutuzovsky Fountain is located in the picturesque area of the slopes of Mount Demerdzhi to the south of Angarsky Pass. When going on a holiday to Crimea, take time to visit this attraction in Alushta and see the magnificent monument created in honor of such a legendary figure.