Borjomi

Fancy spending time in nature? Then Borjomi is the place for you. Located in the gorge of the river Mtkvari at 900 meters above sea level, Borjomi, with its mineral volcanic waters and relict pine groves, is a really special place. Its beautiful, untouched nature, forests, and meadows that look like they were painted mesmerize every visitor. The unique volcanic waters of Borjomi are delicious, and there is a two-floor park that can be accessed via old Soviet cable cars.

History

The area of Borjomi had been settled a long time ago. According to archaeological findings, the mineral waters of Borjomi were put to use already in the 1^st millennium B.C. The waters were used for bathing purposes, and the characteristics of the water were known widely. Archaeologists found not only stone bathtubs but also clay pipes in the area of Borjomi. It is thought that Borjomi mineral waters were used from the 1^st century A.D. to the 16^th century A.D. Because of constant wars in the 16^th and 18^th centuries, everyone forgot about the waters of Borjomi. The late Middle Ages were really turbulent in Samtskhe-Javakheti province. The province was captured by the Ottoman Empire in the 17^th century and then taken back by the kingdom of Kartli. A totally new life started in Borjomi when the Russian Empire annexed Georgian kingdoms in the 19^th century. This was the time when one Russian soldier accidentally rediscovered Borjomi’s water source. Polkovnik Popov of Kherson’s Grenadier Polk paid attention to the water source. He had a stomach ulcer, and the water significantly eased his situation. Since then, it has become the favorite drink of Russian royalty and quickly gained fame throughout the whole Russian Empire. However, it was not only the waters that brought fame to Borjomi. The settlement became a very popular resort. It started with the Russian royalties. After some time, Borjomi became a summer holiday destination for ordinary citizens. Until today, Borjomi has maintained its status as a favorite holiday location for locals. Its unique forests, climate, and waters attract travelers from Georgia and abroad.

What To Do

You can visit Borjomi in one day from Tbilisi or stay there for several nights. During the winter or your Christmas holidays, it is a beautiful place to be. Just 40 minutes away from Borjomi is the ski resort of Bakuriani. There, you can try five different routes according to your experience in skiing. In 15 minutes of driving from Borjomi, there is the Green Monastery, dated to the 9^th century. A.D. It is buried in deep vegetation. The most pleasant time to visit Green Monastery is in the late spring or summer. Akhaltsikhe is another destination if you decide to stay in Borjomi. This medieval fortified town, which is located in the center of Akhaltsikhe, was a slave relocation area in the late medieval period.  If you are not keen on any sightseeing, you can just stay in the room of one of the 5-star hotels and enjoy your hot chocolate with beautiful views over the mountains.