Residents and guests of the city, familiar with classical Russian literature, have no doubt why a monument to Lermontov was erected at the resort. Gelendzhik is mentioned in the chapter "Tamany" of the famous novel "A Hero of Our Time." The main character, Pechorin, planned to visit this city, but it is not known for certain whether Mikhail Yuryevich himself was ever here.

Literary historians suggest that Lermontov may have visited these places twice in 1837, when Alexei Alexandrovich Velyaminov's headquarters were in Gelendzhik. This general played an important role in Lermontov's life, who was demoted and exiled for the poem "On the Death of a Poet." The former hussar of the Life Guards served in the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment in the Caucasus.

Despite the lack of precise data, locals eagerly share legends about Lermontov's visit to Gelendzhik, describing his walks along the shore and through the pine grove. It is symbolic that near this grove there is a memorial sign in his honor, which is a second version.

The first monument to Lermontov in Gelendzhik was erected in 1956. Its author was Leonid Torich, a talented artist from Leningrad, known for his monumental works in various cities. The sculpture was made of concrete with a metal frame and covered with silver paint.

The modern monument to Lermontov, which residents and tourists see, was created from a special alloy and cast in 1991 by sculptor Yuri Dzhirbaev from St. Petersburg. However, it was unveiled only in 1998 after seven years of waiting in the workshop.

The monument to Lermontov has become a symbol of inspiration and a recognizable element of Gelendzhik. It often appears in souvenir photographs. The sculpture is made of copper and bronze, giving it a noble hue. Lermontov is depicted in full growth on a pedestal made of light marble tiles, with the base adorned with gray granite.

The poet is portrayed with his arms crossed on his chest, thoughtfully gazing at the sea. Since the Caucasus was the place of his exile, Lermontov's gaze conveys sadness and contemplation. He is dressed in the uniform of a mid-19th century officer, holding a cap in his hand. Legends say that the sculptor captured the torment of creativity on the poet's face as he composes a new masterpiece.