Borjomi

Borjomi is a scenic resort town located in south-central Georgia with a population of 11,173 as of 2024. This appealing location, located 165 kilometers from Tbilisi, is one of the six municipalities of the Samtskhe-Javakheti area. Borjomi is situated in the northwestern section of the area, nestled within the picturesque Borjomi Gorge, adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

The town’s distinction is attributed to its esteemed mineral water business, which serves as Georgia’s foremost export. Borjomi mineral water has achieved significant acclaim both in Georgia and throughout the former Soviet Union nations. The bottling of this esteemed mineral water acts as a crucial economic catalyst for the region, generating considerable revenue for the local populace.

The appeal of Borjomi extends beyond its renowned water. The town has the Romanov summer castle at Likani, underscoring its historical importance and royal affiliations. The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, a vast natural marvel, enhances the town’s allure by providing tourists the opportunity to engage with the region’s stunning surroundings.

Borjomi’s reputation as a health destination is well established. A multitude of tourists converge on the region in pursuit of alleviation from many maladies, attracted by the alleged therapeutic qualities of the indigenous mineral springs. The inflow of health-conscious visitors has enhanced Borjomi’s reputation as a sought-after destination for wellness and rejuvenation.

Borjomi is the largest ecologically themed amusement park in the Caucasus. This distinctive attribute distinguishes the town, providing guests with an engaging but eco-friendly experience that enhances the natural splendor of the vicinity.

The history of Borjomi is extensive and diverse, originating in the Middle Ages when the region was included in the Tori province. Throughout this era, the territory was fortified with a succession of fortresses strategically positioned to protect the vital crossroads leading to Georgia’s western, eastern, and southern provinces. Currently, three notable forts—Gogia, Petra, and Ali—oversee the town from adjacent hills, silently attesting to Borjomi’s historical strategic significance.

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the Borjomi region was owned by the noble Avalishvili family. This period was characterized by substantial depopulation due to recurrent Ottoman incursions that impacted the region’s demographic composition.

The early 19th-century conquest of Georgia by Russia was a pivotal moment for Borjomi. This ceremony marked the commencement of a redevelopment initiative for the neighborhood. The toponym “Borjomi” first emerged in historical documentation in the 1810s, marking the commencement of a new epoch for the region. Under Russian governance, Borjomi was first under military control, with troops arriving in the 1820s. The subsequent decade witnessed the erection of edifices and spas, establishing the groundwork for Borjomi’s future as a vacation destination.

A crucial juncture in Borjomi’s evolution occurred in the early 1840s when the Russian Viceroy of the Caucasus, Yevgeny Golovin, introduced his daughter to the therapeutic qualities of the local waters. Impressed by his observations, Golovin hastened the transfer of jurisdiction over the seas from military to civilian authority, paving the way for Borjomi’s evolution into a desirable resort.

The town’s prosperity increased under Viceroy Mikhail Vorontsov, who was enchanted by the area’s scenery and natural springs. Vorontsov selected Borjomi as his summer residence and improved the region with additional parks, solidifying its reputation as a sought-after locale. The amalgamation of a temperate temperature, natural springs, and verdant woods quickly bestowed upon Borjomi the title “the pearl of the Caucasus,” drawing nobles from far locales.

The 1860s saw considerable advancement in Borjomi, marked by the erection of new hotels and the formation of an administration tasked with managing the mineral waters. In 1871, the town’s prominence escalated when it was conferred on Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolayvich, a member of the Russian royal family acting as the viceroy of the Caucasus.

The late 19th century witnessed more improvements to Borjomi’s allure. In the 1890s, Nikolay, the son of Mikhail, erected a park and a château at Likani, situated at the western edge of Borjomi. This era also signified the commencement of substantial exports of bottled mineral waters, enhancing Borjomi’s reputation beyond the confines of the Russian Empire.

The town’s expansion encompassed not just its infrastructure and exports but also notable demographic shifts. In 1901, the population of ethnic Russians (2,031) exceeded that of native Georgians (1,424) for the first time, indicating the town’s growing appeal to Russian elites and settlers.

The establishment of Soviet authority in 1921 resulted in significant transformations in Borjomi’s socioeconomic structure. The new dictatorship expropriated aristocratic houses and converted them into sanatoria, largely for the Communist Party elite. Notwithstanding the hurdles, including substantial destruction from a flood on April 18, 1968, Borjomi persisted in its growth and development during the Soviet period.

The post-Soviet era posed fresh problems for Borjomi, as political and economic issues obstructed progress throughout Georgia. Nonetheless, the town’s persistent allure as a locale for domestic tourism enabled it to withstand these challenging periods. The onset of the 21st century ushered in newfound optimism and investment for Borjomi. Enhanced support from both the governmental and private sectors in tourist and municipal infrastructure significantly contributed to the town’s recovery from prolonged neglect, paving the way for a new chapter in its illustrious history.

Demonstrating its aspirations and the faith in its capabilities, Georgia nominated Borjomi, along with adjacent Bakuriani, as a candidate city for the 2014 Winter Olympics on June 22, 2005. Despite the bid’s eventual failure, as the International Olympic Committee disqualified Borjomi on June 22, 2006, the endeavor underscored the town’s ambitions and its acknowledgment as a notable locale within Georgia.

Currently, Borjomi serves as a leading balneological and climate resort, using its extensive history and natural resources. The town has many districts, each with distinct microclimates and topographical features. Likani, Papa, and Plateau are especially esteemed for their medicinal properties. The foundation of Borjomi’s therapeutic services is its mineral water, employed for both consumption and several balneological treatments.

The resort’s therapeutic offerings encompass not just its renowned waters but also climatotherapy, mud treatments, and many health-enhancing activities. The interval from June to October is deemed ideal for climatotherapy, enabling tourists to fully benefit from Borjomi’s therapeutic atmosphere. The medical indications for therapy in Borjomi include various problems such as chronic gastrointestinal diseases, liver and biliary abnormalities, metabolic disorders, and certain cardiovascular diseases.

The allure of Borjomi extends beyond health tourism. The hamlet acts as an access point to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, a significant natural asset of Georgia. Covering an extensive 85,083 hectares, representing over 1% of Georgia’s total area, the park provides tourists with opportunities to discover unspoiled nature and participate in many outdoor activities. The park’s administration, which includes offices, a small hotel, and a visitors’ information center, is strategically situated in Borjomi, ensuring easy access for tourists and nature enthusiasts.

The Borjomi-Kharagauli Protected Areas comprise six districts: Borjomi, Kharagauli, Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Khashuri, and Baghdati, presenting a variety of landscapes and ecosystems. In this extensive protected region, tourists may investigate the Borjomi Strict Nature Reserve, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Nedzvi Managed Reserve, and Goderdzi Petrified Forest Natural Monument, all overseen by the park administration.

The national park offers a comprehensive network of tourist trails, ranging in height from 400 to 2,642 meters, for people pursuing adventure and absorption in nature. These paths accommodate many interests and fitness levels, providing chances for hiking, horseback riding, cycling, and snowshoeing during the winter season. Cultural and educational trips are offered, delivering insights into the region’s abundant legacy and natural marvels. To improve the visitor experience, the trails have tourist shelters, picnic places, and camping sites, facilitating comfortable exploration of this splendid nature.