Новый Кучук-Кой, sanatorium in Crimea
Новый Кучук-Кой is an early 1900s estate built from concrete and decorated with bright ceramic tiles, set within gardens containing sculptures and original plantings. The grounds descend steeply toward the sea and include staircases, cypress alleys, and various structures that once housed artists and workshops.
The estate was founded in the early 1900s by wealthy collector Iakov Zhukovskii, an art patron who supported works by Vrubel and other modern artists. After the Revolution it became a rest house and sanatorium, but suffered major damage from wars and a fire in the 1980s that left portions in ruins.
The name references an older Crimean settlement, with "New" marking this as the later version. The place reflects its founders' love for symbolic art and modernity, visible today in the sculptures and decorative details scattered through the gardens that still evoke the artistic spirit of the early 1900s.
The site is currently partly closed to the public and protected, with only some park areas accessible to visitors. The steep terrain requires sturdy footwear for navigating the staircases and paths that descend toward the sea.
A notable feature is the Jacob's Staircase, connecting the steep slope to the shore and originally tied to symbolic meaning. Cypress and pine trees line these stairs, creating a shaded passage with sea views that few visitors notice today.
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