Borjomi – Resort in southwestern Georgia. Borjomi is world famous for its mineral waters and the curative powers of its mineral springs. However, Borjomi was one of the main and famous resorts both during the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, especially after Joseph Stalin visited it several times.
Situated in the beautiful Borjomi Gorge between the Vakhani and Trialeti ridges, Borjomi (population 32,422) is the largest mountain spa in Georgia, famous for its curative mineral waters, mountain air, favorable climate, and dense forests, the town is home to numerous sanatoria where many Georgians return every year for the 24-day cure. Georgians swear by the healing effects of the water and believe that the regimen followed here in the summer is the only way to prepare adequately for the next season’s round of parties that will inevitably exact a high price on their livers.
Borjomi was, in fact, called the Caucasian Vichy. Its waters became widely known when the daughter of the Russian Commmander-in-Chicf of the Caucasus, Yevgeni Golovin, was cured of her gynecological problems through treatment. The spa was further developed by Prince Mikhail Vorontsov, who replaced General Golovin in 1841. Tsar Alexander II, visiting the spa in 1871, found it sufficiently beautiful to make Borjomi and its environs a gift to Grand Duke Mikhail, son of Tsar Nicolas I.
Today Borjomi has a daily yield of 500,000 liters (130,000 gallons) of water. In Soviet limes, the numerous big bottling plants in town together annually produced 300 million bottles of the famous water. Russia and other CIS (SNG) countries arc the biggest market for Borjomi, but New Yorkers will have no trouble finding endless supplies of this elixir in Russian stores concentrated in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach neighborhood.
Borjomi is 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. The Mtkvari runs through town, and you must cross to the right bank from the A308 to reach the towns historic center. Cross the bridge (four km/2.5 miles from the town line) and take ninth of April Street (formerly Lenin Street, which ran into Orjonikidzc Street), past the train station to the entrance of Mineral Park.
On the way you’ll pass some wonderful 19th-century houses distinctive for their elaborate wooden carvings and range of architectural styles. They certainly convey the flavor of the Russian-created spa town. The building at 48 Ninth of April Street, formerly home of the Persian consul and now the Firuze Sanatorium, is a superb medley of Moorish. Geotgian, and Armenian ornamentation.
Mineral Park is one of three in which many of the mineral springs are located; you can taste the waters for a few tetri paid to an atten dant handing out glasses from a small kiosk. The kiosk is constructed around one of the springs, which w as enclosed with stone and covered by a glass dome in the 19th century.
In the park, you can visit the 136 hectare (336 acrе) Sadgeri Arboretum. Lying 1,000 meters (3.300 feet) above sea level, this wide plateau is home to a wonderful forest with ancient trees. Here too are the ruins of the Sadgeri Fortress, where a famous Georgian general of the 17th century, Giorgi Saakadze, once stayed with his army.
The Borjomi Gorge, covering 143 sq. km (55 sq. miles), has been designated a National Reserve. With 450 varieties of plants, the region can lay claim to some of the most exquisite natural beauty to be found in Georgia. The Borjomi Park remains the most popular place for Tbilisians to go for some rest and relaxation.