Abandoned Cultural Heritage of Tskaltubo

Just outside Kutaisi – barely a 20-minute drive – Tskaltubo is an easy day trip and a place that feels unlike anywhere else in the region. With its faded grandeur, it’s a dream for anyone interested in old Soviet architecture, forgotten spaces, and atmospheric photography. The whole town carries a strange, magnetic mood shaped by decades of history. 

The healing springs here, often called the “Waters of Immortality,” were mentioned as far back as the 13th century. One story says a shepherd stumbled upon them by chance; another credits the noble Ioseli family with recognizing their value. 

The fame of Tskaltubo began in the late 19th century, when its warm radon-carbonate springs were studied and officially recognized for their therapeutic qualities. The waters flow at a constant natural temperature of around 33°C, making them ideal for health treatments without additional heating. Early visitors came for relief from joint diseases, skin conditions, and circulation problems.

The real transformation happened during the Soviet period. From the 1930s to the 1980s, Tskaltubo became one of the most important wellness destinations in the USSR. A full resort city grew around the springs — sanatoriums, bathhouses, parks, and large hotels arranged in a radial layout leading toward the central baths. These buildings were ambitious in scale and architectural style. Some were classical, some more modernist, but all were designed to impress and to accommodate thousands of visitors. At its peak, the resort welcomed around half a million guests a year. High-ranking Soviet officials, factory workers on state-funded vacations, and families from across the union came here for multi-week treatment courses. Bathhouse No. 6 — the grand rotunda — was the core of the resort, where visitors could take individual baths, group therapies, and health procedures based on the natural springs.

The collapse of the Soviet Union changed everything. Tourism vanished, funding stopped, and many sanatoriums became temporary housing for displaced people from Abkhazia. Over time, a large part of Tskaltubo fell into disrepair. Despite its decline, the atmosphere of a once-grand spa town remains visible everywhere: wide boulevards, monumental sanatoriums, long arcades, and the deep quiet of abandoned halls.

Today Tskaltubo stands between its past and its future, still carrying the spirit of one of the most iconic spa towns of the Soviet era. It is in the middle of a major transformation — and the pace is accelerating. With several sanatoriums now sold to private investors and construction already visible in parts of town, the window to experience Tskaltubo in its current, half-forgotten state is closing.

Attempts to revive the resort have come and gone over the years. None of the 15 state-owned sanatoriums were restored, and many ended up abandoned for decades. Now some of them are being put back on the market, fenced off, or prepared for renovation. Work has already begun on Sanatorium Tbilisi, which is expected to reopen as a Marriott. As a result, a few buildings that were once freely accessible can’t be entered anymore.

Despite this, the heart of the spa culture hasn’t completely faded. Springs No. 2 and No. 6 still operate, along with other treatment centers in the central park. The restored Tskaltubo Spa Resort continues to draw visitors, and the town has seen a wave of new cafés, hotels, and restaurants.

It’s important to remember that some buildings are still home to families displaced from Abkhazia. They’re generally used to seeing visitors, but it’s essential to be respectful — many of the places people photograph or explore are lived-in spaces, not empty ruins.

Finally, exploring Tskaltubo comes with its own risks. Many structures are severely deteriorated, and moving around inside them can be genuinely unsafe.

Almost all the photographs belong to the organization Geo Stalk that films all abandoned and peculiar places in Georgia and other countries as well. They take great photos l and maybe even organize tours to these destinations. Definitely do check their Facebook page for more information and more locations – Geo Stalk – Urbex And Hiking

Sanatorium Metallurgist

Construction began in 1950 and was completed on May 12, 1957. The architects were V.A. Kendi and N.S. Solovia. The four-storey building is decorated with Georgian motifs carved from white stone. Inside, the foyer still impresses with its large chandelier and marble columns. Built for the Ministry of Black Metallurgy, the layout includes blocks with single and double rooms. A 20-day stay cost 140 rubles.
Currently, the sanatorium is inhabited by IDPs from Abkhazia. More photos here

Sanatorium Iveria

Opened in 1962, the project originally started in 1952 under the USSR Ministry of Electropower. In 1956, the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia took over, and the construction was eventually completed by the National Resort Ministry. Iveria was later merged with another sanatorium called Miner. It briefly gained independence in May 1967, then was reabsorbed into Miner again. The architect behind the project was M.M. Buzogli. More photos here

Sanatorium Meshakhte (Miner)

This high-class sanatorium opened on November 11, 1952, originally serving employees of the Ministry of Coal Industry. Designed by G. Khimshiashvili and G. Melegi, it represents the grand Stalinist Empire style and is still considered one of Tskaltubo’s most impressive spa buildings. The grounds once featured a large courtyard, fountain, and spacious resting areas. The façade was meant to be clad in white stone, but the construction lead, Carlo Moretti, developed a special tile that replicated the same look at a lower cost without compromising visual quality.

The four-storey building was first planned for 250 guests, later expanded to 325 in 1954 and to 350 in 1957. In 1965 it was transferred to the Ministry of Health’s Main Resort Department and renamed Meshakhte. It housed treatment rooms, laboratories, and other medical facilities, and underwent major renovation in 1989. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the arrival of displaced families from Abkhazia, the sanatorium ceased operating. Today the building is privately owned, fenced off, and guarded. More photos here

Bathhouse N8

Completed in 1959 and designed by Ioseb Zaalishvili and D. Kajaia, this bathhouse introduced Georgia’s first dome roof reinforced in this manner – the 42-ton structure was a technical achievement for its time. The building has four sections, each containing 28 private cabins, and could serve 134 men per hour. It is now fully abandoned but remains a striking location for photography.