The best known and popular Georgian resort of Borjomi is placed in the magnificent gorge, between Meskheti and Trialeti ranges. Slopes of ranges are covered with wide deciduous and pine forests. River Mtkvari which has two tributaries on the territory of the town – Borjomula and Gujaretistskali – divides Borjomi in two parts. The major wealth of the town is mineral water of volcanic origin known in the whole world for its therapeutic properties and considered a measuring stick in evaluating mineral waters. Benefits of Borjomi mineral waters were enjoyed for centuries. This is proved by 7 baths made of cut stone uncovered by our archeologists and dating from the beginning of our age. In the end of XVI century settlement in the Borjomi gorge due to non stop invasions of outer enemies became nearly deserted and existence of springs also for a long time remained in limbo.

In the end of 20-ies of the XIX century, Grenadier Regiment from Kherson was placed in the environs of Borjomi. On the right bank of river Borjomula in the forest soldiers came across sour water spring. Commander of the regiment who had stomach ulcer got interested with the water. Water happened to be so wholesome for him that he masterminded construction of a bathhouse nearby. Soon stories about miraculous properties of sour waters reached then Viceroy of the Caucasus, Yevgeni Golovin, and the general decided to bring to Borjomi his daughter who was ill, for treatment. Honoring the sick who got

cured soon, spring 1 was named after her – Catherine spring and spring 2 was named after Yevgeni in honor of Viceroy Golovin. In 1844 new Viceroy of the Caucasus, Mikhail Vorontsov, worked out a project of Borjomi development

according to which Administration of mineral waters was established in the town, bathhouses, hotels were built,

and a new park developed. The abovesaid events facilitated rise in the numbers of holiday makers: Borjomi was visited by

guests from Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Yerevan, Alexandropol, Baku and provinces of middle Russia. In 1862 Vorontsov was substituted by brother of Russian emperor, Mikhail Aleksandrovich Romanov, who turned Borjomi into an estate of a crown prince and summer residence of the Royal dynasty of the Romanov family. Soon Borjomi became the first-class health center which provided the same quality health services as its European counterparts. In the Soviet period tens of sanatoria and boarding houses were

operated in Borjomi to which several hotels and guest-houses were added during last decades. Springs, park, cable way connecting mineral water springs with the plateau were refurbished. In the course of the year resort hosts tens of thousands of vacationers. In 1850 a pharmacist of a military field hospital Zakharov, for the first time packaged in oval half-liter bottles drinking mineral water ‘Borjomi’ well-known in the world and sold them in Tbilisi for 0,20 roubles. In 1894 Mikhail Romanov built water bottling shop in the mineral water park (Local history museum of Borjomi now occupies the building). Soon aiming at increase of production a glass factory was also built in the resort. Since 1900 mineral water has been exported to Russia and in a very short time ‘Borjomi’ became very popular. Thanks to technical advancement of production process, by 1913 turnover of the factory exceeded 9 million bottles while demand for water was permanently increasing. As a result of drilling activities conducted in 1927-1978 new operating zones were uncovered that significantly raised reserves of mineral water. In the 1980-ies sales of ‘Borjomi’ mineral water reached 400 million bottles. Today its export area comprises 30 countries. In 2007 International Certification Company, Bureau Veritas, awarded Borjomi International Certificate for Safety and Quality ISO 22000. Borjomi

is packaged in green bottles the color of which is licensed and it is called ‘Georgian green’.

 

1. Buvette of mineral water spring in Borjomi Park.

2-3. Town of Borjomi and Borjomi Park.

4. Palace of Great Duke, Mikhail Romanov, in the central part of the Park. Palace was constructed in 1850. On the place of

beautiful wooden building in 1968 was built sanatorium ‘Meskheti’.

5. Along with the Royal family, summer residences in Borjomi were constructed also by then richest people from traders

and business community: big merchant Giorgi Kondurov built cottage on the left bank of river Borjomula, Mamatsov – on

Rustaveli str., Ioseliani – on Chavchavadze str., Laudenbach – on Mountain str. In 1892 Iranian consul Riza-Mirza-Khan built

a wonderful house called ‘Piruza’ at the entrance of mineral water park. The ceiling of the house balcony is adorned with various turquoise stones. Mirza’s palace is one of the sights in this town.

 

Location: between slopes of Meskheti and Trialeti ranges, in the gorge of river Mtkvari and its tributaries – Borjomula and Gujaretistskali

Distance: 155 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 800-1000 m

Landscape: mountainous

Climate: low mountain forest area of subtropical zone, winter moderately cold, with little snow, stable snow cover from the end of December until first decade of March, mean temperature in January -2,1 degree centigrade; summer warm, mean temperature in August 20,1 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 653 mm

Average comparative annual humidity: 77%

Annual average number of sunlight hours: 1800-1900 h.

Natural treatment factors: climate of low mountain; carbohydrate, hydro-carbonate, sodium mineral waters with general mineralization of 5,0-7,5 g/dm3, and carbohydrate, hydro-carbonate, sodium boric (and silicon-boric) mineral waters with general mineralization of 5,6-6,4 g/ dm3 ;

discharge: 50 thous. l/day

Types of therapy: passive climate therapy, mineral water application (drinking), mineral water baths, gastric lavages and inhalations

Diseases for treatment: chronic gastritis, stomach and duodenum ulcer disease, colitis and enterocolitis, diseases of liver and gall tracts, pancreas, ailments connected with metabolism, diabetes mellitus