Batumi was founded in the ancient past. Its surroundings are populated since VIII-VIICentury B.C. and urban development of the city started from 80s of XIX. Port played a huge role in the city development, where in the gulf hidden from wind and drift big ships were finding thier shelter. Throught the port Batumi has joined the road passing to Europe and Asia and turned into important oil-transiting “country”. We can say that the city was created through technical progress. Settlement once popular for its Greek trade relations, has become the worlds center of interest and attracted people of different nations, major industrialists, businessman, merchants, craftsmen, builders, invaders and friends as magnet and with joint efforts, once a wetland has developed as the city.
Like other imperialistic cities of XIX-XX centuries Batumi used to have regular and arranged planning adjustes to peninsula shape. All of its street were starting from the coastline andsince that time Batumi is watching the see, devolops, breathed and exists with the sea air, attracts people with the sea and blends the beauty of its mountains into the sea.
Every city has its “Spirit of the place” – sometimes widely endles or full with unexpected, sometimes adjusted to ideological, political, sophisticated and fine like elite, or grown on national roots and unique, sometimes cosmopolitan etc. We can say that Batumi is cosmopolitan city where eastern and western origins are combined. Its unique charm is made of cozy spaces filled with still, chamber, human values.
Streets and building of the old Batumi has its own charm because natural and urban spaces are defined by architectural rules created specially for Batumi. Straight-lined streets divided with almost equal quarters, buildings standing tight close and variety artistic styles of architecture create harmonic environment for walking.
In today’s Batumi there are more contrasts: ambitious, modern city, as if overshadowing the old one, violates usual harmony of the past, but the progress is concomitant to the city and who knows maybe todays strange can become precious for the tomorrow. It is not surprising that new biuldings are more interesting than the old ones for some tourists.
Now we would like to introduce you cultural heritage of Batumi. You can see chapels of different religiuos, community biuldings, richly decorated houses, built be foreign businessmen arrived for good bargain, between these people there were not many Georgians by XIX-XX century. You will see commercial-dwelling houses, apartment houses, bathhouses, one-storied comfortable mezzanines which despite minor size and decoratens have turned into specific visit card of Batumi.
Regardless of changes in urban space of old Batumi, you will be charmed by hidden internal yeards decorated by flowers and green located behind the facades but like any other Georgian cities here the biulding are looking at these yards from glass galleries. Closed yeards typical for Batumi include open moments because they create cozy environment for close human realtions.
Cultural heritage of Batumi can be seen not only in separate architectural units but in artistic unity of historical streets, districts, sometimes special or from the first sight unremarkable biuldings. They share with us the city history, sense and driving force of different era.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that old Batumi always had its charm due to which it settles in memory of many known r unknown people as beautiful, white, bright small city with hospitable people living in modest houses.
History, adventure, pain and happiness of people living in the houses still can be felt in each house. Every of them has its own legend but this time we will try to show you their architectural values because this is what makes them the monuments of historical heritage.
Walt throught the streets of the old Batumi, visit bouildings, feel the harmony of the old town and Batumi will difinitely charm you!!!
TO 