R. Zorge, 40a/1, Building 1, Entrance 1, 4th floor Izberbash, Republic of Dagestan, Russia, 368500
There is a rock in Dagestan,
That with just a turn of your head—
In its distant outline
You see the profile of Pushkin.
Not a mirage, a fleeting whim,
Not a trick of tired eyes,
This vision, this visible miracle
Is proudly known throughout all of Dagestan…
(Nikolay Dorizo)
Pushkin-Tau (Izberg-Tau) is a mountain located near the city of Izberbash. It stands at an elevation of 220 meters above sea level. Pushkin-Tau is a combination of many rocks that overlap each other, and only from one specific spot can you clearly see the profile of the great poet A. S. Pushkin.
The face on Pushkin-Tau has been known since ancient times and served as a landmark for ships sailing from the north. In the last century, people were amazed to notice its resemblance to Pushkin, and the mountain gained wide recognition. In 1978, according to a decree by the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic, the rock was declared a natural monument of regional significance.
There are many legends about the origin of this "miracle" in Dagestan, but the most widespread one is that when Pushkin was shot by Dantes, an earthquake occurred in Dagestan, and a broken-off part of the rock created Pushkin’s profile. This remains a legend, as there is no evidence of an earthquake at that time.
According to another legend, the first to notice the resemblance of the rock formation to Pushkin’s portrait was the traveler Alexander Dumas—thanks to his influence, or rather his pen, the mountain acquired its current name.
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