You are on the Portal on Central
Eastern and Balkan Europe (PECOB),
a project promoted by IECOB and AIS.
All pictures were taken by Giorgio Comai, in May 2006 during a trip through the region. They include pictures concerning locations of naturalistic, historical, geopolitical, and literary interest.
Pyatigorsk, a famous holiday and health resort since the 19th century, still hosts a number of Soviet-time sanatoria.Foreign guests can stay only at the hotel "Inturist".
See the picture "Sanatorium "Iskra" in Pyatigorsk"
While being relatively small in population, Pyatigorsk occupies a considerable area.
See the picture "Pyatigorsk panoramic view"
There are many spa resorts in the whole area. People can freely drink mineral water in these structures.
Kislovodsk mineral water fountains
Victory Day is the main Russian state holiday. It commemorates Soviet victory in the second world war. Celebrations take place throughout the country.
See the picture "Victory Day celebrations in Pyatigorsk"
War veterans are at the centre of the celebrations for Victory Day. On this occasion, most veterans wear their uniform and show their medals.
See the picture "War veterans pose together with children"
Not far from the town centre of Pyatigorsk there is the so called 'Proval', a hole in the mountain with a natural mineral water spring. i
See the picture "Mineral water in the Pyatigorsk 'Proval'"
An icon is hanged on the mountain wall over the naturally white mineral waters.
See the picture "An icon in the Pyatigorsk 'Proval'"
Central Kabardino-Balkaria's landscape is charachterised by green hills where cattle and sheeps abound. In the region there are numerous filling stations of many different local oil companies.
See the picture "Filling station and cattle"
A classic Volga car in the valley bringing to the Elbrus.
See the picture "Volga in the Caucasus"
This is the last point reachable by car to approach the highest mount in the Caucasus (5.642 m) from the north.
See the picture "End of the road"
Mount Elbrus is an all-year skiing resort. These mountains are the southern Caucasian border of the Russian Federation.
See the picture "Only snow separating Russia and Georgia "
Representations of Lenin, generally in the shape of a bronze statue, are present in all towns of the region.
See the picture "Lenin still standing"
Great romantic poet and writer Mikhail Lermontov died in a duel at the age of 26 in Pyatigorsk.
See the picture "Lermontov's duel"