The Great Patriotic War left a deep mark in the history of Novorossiysk, which later became a hero city. On February 4, 1943, a special forces unit landed on the shore of the Tsemesskaya Bay. For 225 days, they held the Little Land under constant enemy control.

The fascists continuously shelled the bridgehead, mines and bombs exploded, shrapnel flew everywhere, the ground was pockmarked with shells and soaked in blood. This place was named the Valley of Death.

Until the 1970s, water was supplied to the city from Tuapse. However, the German invaders cut off access to water, and there was a constant shortage of drinking water in the occupied territory. Only a few sources remained, one of which was a well that later became a war memorial. This well was a strategically important object, understood by both the enemies and our defenders.

Soviet fighters called this source the "Well of Life," as its loss could mean death. Today, this well is honored by the Russian people.

The memorial "Well of Life" is designed as a stone well, into which one can look and see a Soviet star. Nearby, on the stone wall, shell casings from large-caliber weapons are attached, along with a plaque that reads: "This well, one of the sources of drinking water on the 'Little Land' in 1943, was called the source of life in the Valley of Death by the inhabitants of Malaya Zemlya."

The well was restored in 1974, but in 2008, vandals damaged the memorial, stole the shell casings, and broke the memorial plaque. Two years later, the "Well of Life" was repaired and restored.

Birches are planted near the well, and a lawn has been laid around it. On commemorative days, flowers are laid at the "Well of Life." On ordinary days, there is silence and tranquility here, and thoughts of the heroism of the inhabitants of Malaya Zemlya inevitably come to mind, for if it were not for them...