Pyatigorsk Eagle

The card (33 years old) came from Estonia, but it shows the Russian town of Pyatigorsk. It was taken from sender's mother collection and the main element is the bronze statue of an Eagle with a Snake, the official symbol of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. This composition was made by sculptor LK Shodkim (Л. К. Шодким) for the centenary anniversary of resort opened at 1 May 1901. According to the author eagle represents the healing power of mineral springs, conquering the disease, which represents a snake in its claws. The original sculpture was made of cement, but in the past decade, the figure fell into disrepair, and it had to be restored. In 1973 it was re-cast in bronze on the Leningrad factory of monumental sculpture and installed in the same place. There are similar sculptures installed in all the cities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters: Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Yessentuki and Zheleznovodsk. But Pyatigorsk eagle is perhaps the most beautiful and most famous among them.
The stamp (2014) was designed by Indrek Ilves> It shows two Euro Coins (1 and 0.20) and the interesting part is that their value correspond with the stamp value of 1.20 €.

Thank You,  Helle !

Country: Russia (but sent from Estonia)
Description: Pyatigorsk Eagle, symbol of the Caucasian Mineral Waters
Publisher: unknown (due postcard decorations)
Photo:  G. Kosmenko / Г. Косменко