The Kutuzov Fountain, a military-historical and architectural monument, was erected by Russian soldiers to commemorate a victory in one of the last battles of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. In the summer of 1774, a Turkish fleet under the command of Hadji Ali-Bey appeared off the Crimean coast. One hundred and fifty Russian rangers defended Alushta, holding off the Turks for a full day from the ruins of an ancient fortress. By the end of the day, July 22nd, the Janissaries had captured b.. Read more »oth the fortress and Alushta, then established themselves on the inaccessible slopes of Chatyr-Dag. Russian grenadiers, led by 29-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, outflanked the Turks by navigating the high cliffs and reaching a pass near Chatyr-Dag. A fierce battle ensued. On July 23rd, 1774, near the village of Shumy (now Verkhnyaya Kutuzovka), the Turkish landing force was defeated. In this battle, Kutuzov was severely wounded in the head; a bullet entered his left temple and exited near his right eye. He was carried to the Sungu-Su spring, where his wound was washed and he was given water to drink. The wound miraculously stopped bleeding and quickly healed. For his bravery, Kutuzov was nominated for the Order of St. George. The fountain was reconstructed twice, in 1937 and 1956, giving it its current appearance. Travelers stop at the Kutuzov Fountain to honor the memory of the Russian soldiers and drink the healing waters. The fountain was destroyed during World War II but restored in 1945, with its "wings" extended. A 1950 photograph shows a bas-relief of Kutuzov where a plaque previously stood, along with two additional plaques on either side.
Ukraine
