The modern capital of Adjara is considered one of the best vacation spots on the coast of the Black Sea Bay. The sun, the sea, the beautiful nature of the subtropical paradise, along with new opportunities for active sports entertainment, attract tourists to the country. Excellent service, the sights of Batumi, which have preserved the spirit of Asian, European cultures, allows you to learn the history of ancient Colchis. Each building, street, boulevard of ancient Batumi is filled with the spirit of the centuries-old history of the famous place on the planet. The degree of acquaintance with it will be determined by the time spent in the city. In between relaxing on the beach, sea voyages, hiking in the mountains, you can first of all see the interesting sights of Batumi from the following list.
Argo cable car
The first passengers traveled on the road in 2013. Since that time, it has become a landmark of the city, allowing you to admire the beautiful views of the city, the sea surroundings. The mountainous terrain of the city required considerable effort for the inhabitants to use it. Neat artificial terraces with residential buildings, planting gardens, orchards, ancient cemeteries are clearly visible from the window of the cable car cabin. The length of the road is about 2600 m, overcome in 10 minutes. The total height difference reaches 253 m. 20 cabins with 8 passengers in each move along the road.
Traffic on the road starts from the lower station, located near the Batumi port at the intersection of Chavchavadze, Gogebashvili streets. Previously, a memorial was erected here, created in honor of those who died in the Great Patriotic War. The cable car operates from 11 am to midnight. A ticket that provides descent and ascent costs 10 GEL for adults and 2 GEL for children. The last stop is the top of Mount Feria. An equipped observation deck, dishes of a cozy restaurant will complement the wonderful impressions of Batumi, it makes it possible to take wonderful photos.
Botanical Garden
You can feel the atmosphere of the local climate conditions not only among the gentle sea waves, but also in the shade of rare plants of the Batumi Botanical Garden. Appearing on the map of Georgia in 1892, having opened its entrance to visitors since 1912, it has long been considered the largest garden, park, scientific institution in the country. The goal of creating an “acclimatization garden” of subtropical plants of importance to agriculture has been greatly expanded.
It purposefully turned into a park, a recreation area with all modern amenities (restaurants, cafes, beaches, the Internet, the possibility of walking in special cars). The formation of the landscape design of the garden was carried out by analogy with the famous tiered gardens of Babylon. Gradually, they were filled with thematic areas of floristry, uniting areas of herbs, flowers, trees growing in different places on the planet. You can breathe in the aroma of mighty eucalyptus, pine, cedar, listen to the rustle of a bamboo grove, examine the prickly thorns of rare cacti, and appreciate the aroma of flowering flower beds in one walk.
About 6 thousand species of plants grow in the garden, five scientific departments function. The entire territory of the garden is divided into 20 sectors, a detailed structure, a plan, which is shown on the stand at the entrance through the Lower Park. You can also buy an entrance ticket here.
The cost of a ticket without paying for the services of a guide is 8 GEL for adults. 1 lari for children. Veterans, students, children under 10 visit the Botanical Garden without payment. The cost of a subscription for a month is 30 GEL, for a year 50 GEL. The garden is open to the public every day from 9 am to 5 pm. The easiest way to come to the garden is by minibus No. 31, which starts at the Lower Station of the cable car, or by bus No. 15.
Dolphinarium
It wasn't until the 20th century that man was able to communicate directly with the smiling, marine mammal dolphins. About 250 dolphinariums have now been built in the world. Various species of dolphins live and work in them. In 1975, such a stationary animal house was built in Batumi. The amphitheater of the modern building appeared in the city in 2011. About 700 spectators are accommodated under its dome. There are 4 sectors, elevators, wheelchair ramps, original decorations reminiscent of the natural living conditions of animals.
8 beautiful dolphins take part in a spectacular 30-minute show. They perform three dances, play with balls, rings. Observers can take part in a joint game, have a therapy session, swim with them. The dolphinarium is located in the Park “May 6” at the address. Rustaveli, 51. The price of the entrance ticket is 15 GEL during the day, 20 GEL in the evening. You can swim with them for 150 GEL. Children under 6 years old visit the dolphinarium without payment. Performances are held daily (except Mondays) at 16:00 and 19:00 in the evening.
Fortress of Gonio Apsaros
A popular tourist site in Georgia is part of the museum-reserve, organized in 1994. The fortress was built in the 1st century to protect the entrances to the gorge of the Chorokhi and Acharistskali rivers. These were strategically important routes of communication between the regions of Georgia and the Black Sea coast. The powerful citadel was the property of three all-powerful empires that made a specific contribution to its appearance and functionality.
Archaeological excavations have discovered ancient artifacts on the territory of the fortress, confirming the role of the fortress in the life of the ancient city that existed on this site. In ancient times, it worked as a water pipe, created by the Romans to supply hot, cold water to the famous baths. Of the eight water supply systems, only two have survived and are still in operation. There was a theater and a hippodrome.
Found collections of gold items, coins are on display at the Treasure of Gonio Museum. During an hour tour of the fortress, you can hear the ancient legend about the Argonauts, learn different versions of the origin of the name of the fortress, learn the history of the birth of bronze culture in ancient Colchis. Walk along the walls of the fortress about 900 m long at a five-meter height. Once upon a time, 22 towers towered along the perimeter of the building, and there were four guarded entrances. The main entrance and 4 towers have been preserved.
Metal sculpture “Love”
Walking along the Batumi embankment, you can plunge into a philosophical mood, looking at a moving steel statue. It reflects the strongest feeling of the earth, creating, destroying, helping to overcome any obstacles of fate, Love. She will come to life in an original way in the figures of a man and a woman, who have been striving to meet each other for centuries. The difficult life path of the characters of the famous work “Ali and Nina”, striving for a common life, is realized by the mechanism's ability to change the position of bodies every 10 minutes.
The monument was created by sculptor Tamara Kvesitadze. The sculpture was installed in 2011 at the entrance to the city. Often it is endowed with additional meaning. It lies in the historical interaction of the East with Europe. In any case, a modern art monument personifies love, beauty, historical memory, kindness. It leaves the most vivid impression in the evening, when the figures come to life thanks to the mysterious illumination.
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Georgian Alphabet Tower
An impressive 130 meter metal structure, designed by Spanish architect Domingo Cabo, based on the combination of two eternal factors of life on the planet: the DNA molecule and the letters of the alphabet of the language that helps people communicate. The Georgian language, based on the alphabet, which is one of the 14 ancient alphabets of the world, confirms the value and significance of the culture of the ancient country. Since 2012, a unique statue has been placed on the embankment in the Wonder Park of Batumi.
At the top of the tower is a mysterious ball open to tourists. Having bought a ticket, costing 8 GEL, with the help of two elevators, you can be inside the ball on the observation deck. There are also benches for rest, a small gift shop. In the evenings, the giant structure is illuminated, the letters of the alphabet become alive, like the ancient language of Georgia, which has been spoken for centuries.
seaside park
In any city there is a park area that creates comfortable conditions for recreation, entertainment, walks for people of all ages. In Batumi, such a zone is considered Seaside Park or Boulevard. It is easy to find it by the stylized entrance gate in the form of a snow-white Greek colonnade, the sea breeze, the aroma of flowering plants. Palm trees, bamboo, magnolias, southern pines grow on five alleys, running almost 7 km parallel to the seashore.
Flower beds have been arranged in the spaces between the trees, pavilions, cafes, and a summer theater have been built. The park began its life on an abandoned site in the city in 1881. Thanks to the implementation of the ideas of the famous gardeners of the world, for more than a century it has been the most beautiful place in the city. Singing fountains, original sculptures made of wood, metal, stone, standing in green against the backdrop of the blue sea, are considered to be its decoration.
dancing fountains
In 1977, the first dancing fountains designed by a Georgian architect appeared in the Seaside Park. Now it is called the Boulevard Historical Fountain. Under musical accompaniment, water flows draw unique, cunning patterns. They dance to the beat of the tunes. The list of musical works includes melodies of classical versions, modern rock hits of the 20th century.
Often, under sunlight, a multi-colored rainbow forms over them. She also dances along with the jets of water flying up. Here the heat is easier to bear, the air is filled with freshness, emphasizing the natural aroma of leaves and flowers. Since 2005, the fountain, created according to a French project, has been operating. It is considered one of the most beautiful fountains in Europe.
Argonauts Square
According to the traditions of the city, its main events are held on the square, called Argonauts Square or Europe Square. The monument to Medea, standing in the center of the square, recalls the ancient legends of the Colchis civilization. It was completed in 2006 in the form of a 130 m stele. At its top is the figure of Medea holding the Golden Fleece.
The modern appearance of the square was complemented by an original fountain, an antique-style clock showing the time, the position of the constellations of the zodiac, the sun, and the moon. The area is surrounded by interesting residential buildings built in the 18th century. Routes of all excursions pass through the square.
astronomical clock
In the historical part of the city there is a beautiful building of the former National Bank of Georgia. Together with the Gothic towers built in the 17th century, it is decorated with a large astronomical clock. Every hour, half an hour, you can hear a melody confirming the exact value of the time displayed on the dial. A feature of astronomical clocks is considered to be a high accuracy of timing. In any country where such devices operate, a lot of money is spent on maintaining their work.
The complex mechanism of the clock is costly and is carried out by craftsmen who are limited in number worldwide. The clock shows not only the time, but also the position of the sun, moon, signs of the zodiac. Astronomical clocks are among the sights of any city. In Batumi, their magical beauty can be seen at night during the original illumination. You can look at the golden clock tower by arriving on buses plying along Rustaveli Street (1.7.10.11.12.13.15.) to the stop st. Gamsakhurdia, 44.
colonnades
Snow-white marble columns, which have become the hallmark of Georgia, attract passers-by of Batumi Boulevard with some magical power to look inside the space they protect. This impression becomes especially strong at night, when the illuminated columns begin to sparkle with an unusually white color. It seems that, in fact, any wish made in the center of the columns will surely come true.
Even the sound of sea waves comes through them with a special melody. The colonnades were built in 1934 according to the project idea brought from Sorrento by the doctor Ivane Mchedlidze. The date of construction of the colonnade is laid out at the foot. Photos with their images are placed in advertisements, brochures, inviting them to visit the sunny city of Batumi.
House of Justice
The upside-down bottle-shaped building, sparkling with multi-colored lights during the night illumination, opened in May 2010, becoming a famous landmark in the city. In addition to originality, beauty, it attracts attention with special functionality. It has conditions for contact with the state, created on the principle of a one-stop shop.
Any necessary document in the offices of the building can be obtained quickly, clearly, by paying a specific amount of money to the state, and not in the form of a bribe to employees, as it was before. For example, you can get a new birth certificate in 10 days (the cost of the service is 30 GEL), 5 days (40 GEL), 3 days (50 GEL), on the same day for 65 GEL. The customer service system implemented in the House of Justice (according to visitors' opinions) is considered a model of the absence of a bureaucratic approach in resolving any legal issues.
Here you can get a passport, apply for a visa, residence permit, register a marriage. Legal procedures are carried out in three halls: self-service, fast, long review. Now several such houses have been built in the country. The building is located on Khimshiashvili street, 7. You can get to the building by buses 1, 2. 4. They stop at the stops st. Pirosmani, Palace of Justice.
Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God
Walking along Chavchavadze Street, one cannot help but stop looking at the beautiful Gothic cathedral, which appeared as if from the Middle Ages. One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Georgia is recognizable by its three domes, an ornament made in the neo-Gothic style of blue and gold hues. The famous stained-glass windows, comparable in beauty to French Gothic stained-glass windows. Snow-white stone walls, decorated with patterns of red stones. In the niches located near the main entrance, there are statues of Catholic saints.
The beautiful church was built in 1902 to hold services for local Catholics at the expense of wealthy Georgian industrialists. Now the Cathedral belongs to the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of the country, its Laz and Batumi dioceses. Since 2011, it has been included in the list of protected heritage monuments of the history of Batumi. It regularly hosts services that you can attend. At the same time, feel the atmosphere of the interior decoration of the cathedral. It is formed by the unusual energy of numerous icons and paintings.
Church of the Holy Christ the Savior
More than 8 thousand Armenians living in Batumi treat the church, built in 1887, with special warmth and respect. In the ancient, simple inner hall of the church, the traditions of the culture of the Armenian people are carefully continued. Divine services and other church events are held here. The church has a Sunday school for children, a youth center, 2 musical groups. Interesting events related to the life of Armenians are often held in the courtyard of the church.
A small temple, called Surb Prkich by the Armenians, which has a central tower, a cone-shaped dome, is revered by the Armenians and is considered a landmark of the city. The church is located in the old city on Gamsakhurdia Street. You can visit it for free every day, arriving by bus, minibus, taxi.
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Adjarian Museum of Local Lore
Originated in 1908 on the basis of a small school exposition collected by teachers and schoolchildren, the museum has gradually become a unique repository of important artifacts related to the history and culture of the people living in this ancient place. Now he is in the mansion of the former Treasury, located on Jincharadze Street. It stores almost 180,000 exhibits systematized on the stands of several departments (historical, archaeological, ethnographic, nature).
Rare books, manuscripts written in different languages, samples of art, archaeological treasures, samples of flora and fauna make up the invaluable wealth of the two floors of the museum. The ethnography department presents the dwellings of local residents. In the courtyard of the building you can see the skeleton of a real whale or a model of the first tractor of the Stalingrad plant, which worked on the fields of Georgia. You can visit the museum on any day of the week except Monday from 11 am to 6 pm. The price of the entrance ticket is 3 GEL.
Fountain Chachi Tower
The original building was opened in the city in 2012 with the aim of attracting tourists and popularizing Georgian grape vodka. It is a tower with a height of 25 m. At a height of 18 m there is a large clock. Once a week, not water, but vodka flows from a special device. This “pleasure” lasts only 15 minutes. There are countless people who want to take part in it. Among the long queue, the main percentage is made up of local residents. It is difficult to say whether the tower helped to increase the number of tourists, but the fact itself is interesting.
Who wants, he will receive a free treat, for example, in the role of a memorable souvenir memory. Drinking from the fountain is strictly prohibited. There is ordinary water. Chacha from the tower is of high quality, worthy of advertising from different manufacturers. The fountain (Chacha Tower) is located on the embankment along Gogebashvili Street, 3. You can get to it by buses number 11. 2, 4, 10.
Waterfall Makhuntseti
The surroundings of Batumi are filled with natural, man-made attractions. If you have time, you can see them along with excursions, independent travel. For example, you can come to the Makhuntseti waterfall by a private car, use paid parking, paying 1lar. Or on minibuses going towards the municipality of Keda. The name of the waterfall comes from the village of the same name, located at an altitude of 335 m above sea level.
Among the beautiful mountain slopes, a silver stream sparkles, flying down at high speed. Tourists, the local population love to come for a picnic, rest in this place, considering the cool water of the fountain to be healing. At the same time, walk along the ancient arched bridge of Queen Tamara, visit the Adjarian House of Wine. The list of Batumi sights can be supplemented endlessly.
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