Mount Akhun is the highest peak located between the residential quarters of the Central district of Sochi and Adler. It is a five-kilometer ridge that stretches along the seashore. At the top of the mountain there is a tower with an observation deck. In summer, hundreds of tourists come here every day.
The height of the Big Akhun mountain reaches 663 meters. The Agura River flows from the western side at the foot of the mountain, where the famous Agur waterfalls are located. Behind it, on a hill, is Stalin`s Summer Cottage, and a little further away is the Matsesta Balneary on hydrogen sulfide springs. On the eastern side at the foot of the mountain there is a Yew-Boxwood grove, which is part of the Caucasian Nature Reserve. An ancient relict forest of yews and boxwoods grows in it. There are small beaches on the seashore. It is impossible to make them wide, since a railway runs along the seashore.
The tradition of visiting Mount Akhun was laid down personally by Joseph Stalin. Courses of treatment in the hydrogen sulfide springs of Matsesta eased his illness, and in 1931 he ordered to build himself a summer cottage near Matsesta. It is located on the hill next to Mount Akhun. In 1933, Stalin signed a program for the reconstruction of Sochi as a resort city of All-Union significance, and around his cottage he began to create interesting places to diversify his leisure time.
By Stalin`s personal order, a Romanesque-style tower was built on the top of Mount Akhun in 1936. It resembles a knight`s castle. The height of the Tower on Mount Akhun is 30 meters. It rises above the trees, and this has made it an ideal viewing platform for the entire surroundings of Sochi. In order for the distinguished guests and Stalin personally to be able to comfortably come to Mount Akhun, an asphalt road was laid from Resort Avenue. It is a mountain serpentine, but any car can drive along it.
Not far from the top of Mount Akhun, a monumental restaurant was built during Stalin`s time. It was assumed that the leader of the country and his guests would be his frequent visitors, however, the restaurant was open for only one season. There was a fire in it, people died, and since then all attempts to restore it have ended in failure. There are legends about the ghosts that walk in it. Gradually, the restaurant was destroyed, and now only ruins remain of it.
Considering that Mount Akhun rises above the most populated areas of Sochi, there are mobile communication towers here. They are installed on the eastern, highest part of the mountain. In the same place there is a Ferris wheel, which allows you to see Adler and Sochi Olympic Park in all details. From the tower built under Stalin, a more beautiful view opens to the west side, where the Agur Gorge, Eagle Rocks and Matsesta are located.
The Great Caucasian Mountain Range is clearly visible from Mount Akhun, including Mount Fisht, which is the highest mountain in these places. It is fighting with Eagle Rocks for the right to believe that Prometheus was chained there.
