There are several clearly distinct reasons to choose Myskhako: the winery, memorial sites commemorating the history of Malaya Zemlya, and the Myskhako protected area. Each raises different questions about the place: how wine is produced, how the battles of 1943 are remembered, and what nature conservation aims to preserve. The details make these focal points tangible.
Memorial Sites and History
The Dolina smerti memorial complex in Myskhako commemorates the site of fierce battles between the Soviet Army and German troops in 1943. One notable feature is the Kolodets zhizni (“Well of Life”): it was the only source of drinking water available to the soldiers on Malaya Zemlya. These two features show different aspects of the situation at the time: the battles themselves and the soldiers’ supply of drinking water.
The Kamennyy kalendar' aprel'skikh boev (“Stone Calendar of the April Battles”) consists of nine steles marking the days of the fiercest fighting. Its granite slabs describe military operations and tactical measures by both sides from April 17 to 25, 1943. The design thus brings together two dimensions of remembrance: the sequence of particularly fierce days and the account of military events and measures.
The mass grave memorial is also located within the Dolina smerti memorial complex, near Mount Koldun in Myskhako. It consists of a tall granite pedestal topped by three military figures. Soldiers who died in the battles for Malaya Zemlya are buried in the grave. The grave and memorial focus remembrance on the soldiers buried there, while the stone calendar arranges the battles by day and describes the actions of both sides.
Myskhako is also home to the Vzryv (“Explosion”) monument. Made from fragments of shells, aerial bombs and mines, it weighs 1,250 kilograms. At the same time, it commemorates the average amount of metal that rained down on each fighter over 225 days. The figure of 1,250 kilograms refers to the monument itself; the 225 days indicate the period to which its symbolic meaning relates. Its material and historical significance are thus set in striking contrast.
Another point of interest is the chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was built in 2010 on Park Alley in the centre of Myskhako. Its dedication adds a religious dimension to the town’s history alongside its military memorials.
Winery and Nature Conservation
A tour of the Myskhako winery includes visits to the production areas for still and sparkling wines; advance booking is required. Wine enthusiasts can get an insight into two different areas of production. If the tour is to be a set part of your stay, book in advance and check the current tour information before travelling.
The Myskhako protected area has a different focus from the memorial sites. It aims to preserve the area’s established natural landscape, natural complexes, and wildlife and plant life. Thus, both remembering historical events and protecting the landscape and nature are part of Myskhako’s character.
Wine in the Wider Destination of Krasnodar Krai
For a broader perspective on wine, the wider destination of Krasnodar Krai offers the Vinnye dorogi Krasnodarskogo kraya (“Wine Roads of Krasnodar Krai”) route. It presents the region’s more than 2,500-year history of viticulture and winemaking, from antiquity to the present, using interactive exhibitions and installations. The route passes through Anapa, Taman, Golubitskaya, Sennoy, Moldavanskoye, Novorossiysk, Abrau-Dyurso, Fedotovka and Gelendzhik. It enables visits to 20 wineries; this number may change. Check the route and operating status when planning your trip. The regional route and the tour of the Myskhako winery are different ways to learn about wine and winemaking.
Discover more destinations: Verkhniy, Yakornaya Shchel', Taman, Peresyp, Molchanovka, Timashevsk, Leningradskaya, Ust-Labinsk.
See the wider travel overview: Krasnodar Krai.
