Pushkinskaya, Sochi

Pushkinskaya Library was founded in 1899 as a free public reading room. It was created to mark 100 years since the birth of Alexander Pushkin and is known as the first public library on the Caucasian coast. At that time, access to books was limited, so the library played an important role in everyday education. It was open to local residents and to people visiting the resort area for health or leisure, offering books and newspapers without charge.

The library was named after Alexander Pushkin, who is seen as the founder of modern Russian literature. From the start, its purpose was simple and practical: quiet reading and self-education. The reading rooms were quiet and meant for individual study, which helped the library become part of everyday local life.

While the library itself dates to 1899, the building most people recognize today opened later, on May 27, 1912. It was designed by architect A. Y. Butkin in the Art Nouveau style. The building is protected as an architectural monument and has kept its early 20th-century appearance. The library remains active, offering reading rooms, book lending, and regular lectures and small exhibitions.