Batumi rose into prominence at the end of the 19th Century when a railroad from Tbilisi and a pipeline from Baku made it Russia’s main oil port in the Black Sea. Hence, the many lavish neoclassical and art nouveau buildings from that period.
At the beginning of the 21st century, after the so called ‘rose revolution’, Batumi boomed again, but this time it grew in height. Since then, dozens of ultramodern and ‘novelty’ buildings mushroomed along the coast line.
Today, Batumi is home to a plethora of beautiful buildings of different architectural styles, many of them difficult to define. Despite this immense diversity, everything somehow blends together perfectly. We take you on a brief tour of the city’s most iconic spots.
Diverse Religious Buildings
Batumi’s Old Town houses five interesting historical temples built at the end of the 19th century and a brand-new Catholic Church.
The Virgin Nativity Cathedral is Batumi’s main Orthodox Church. This tall neo-gothic structure originally served as a catholic church but was later consecrated by a Georgian orthodox patriarch. Take note that orthodox churches built in gothic style are almost inexistent.
On the other hand, the Greek Orthodox St. Nicolas Church is a typical neo-byzantine temple, while the Armenian Apostolic Church bears a distinctive Armenian touch.
The only surviving mosque in the city, Ortajame is a fine example of Ottoman religious architecture, featuring a golden dome and a white minaret.
Finally, the Batumi Synagogue is a beautiful early 20th-century building that blends European and Moorish influences.
Unusual Skyscrapers
The last 20 years have changed Batumi’s skyline considerably. The still ongoing real estate boom can be seen everywhere. We biked all along the coast admiring the impressive buildings.
Three skyscrapers deserve special mention. The 130 meter tall Alphabetic Tower is the most easily recognizable. The tower represents the 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet in the shape of a DNA helix.
Then we have the tallest building in Georgia famous for its massive Ferris wheel: Batumi Tower. This one is quite striking; we’ve never seen anything like it before.
We also have to mention the best hotel in town: The Sheraton Hotel. The building is a postmodern interpretation of the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Weird Novelty Buildings
Other than several colorful towers, what struck us the most were what we call Novelty buildings. These line Rustaveli Avenue all the way to its continuation as the Seafront promenade.
The first one to immediately grab our attention was the so-called Face House that looks like a giant person under a roof. Across the street, stands erect a building that combines the architecture of traditional Georgian lace balconies with different historical styles.
Continuing with the weirdness, walking along the seaside you’ll spot an array of world imitations. There’s a Venetian style tower followed by a small Acropolis and a giant Coliseum. What else could be missing? A copy of the White House!
Sophisticated Contemporary Architecture
Not everything in Batumi is kitsch and grandeur. Fortunately, the city homes a few subtle contemporary architectural jewels. The House of Justice, for example, is an elegant 17 story tower in the shape of an inverted bottle. At night, colorful lights give this simple white building a different look.
Even cooler is a futuristic McDonalds and fuel station. Who would have thought that two different uses (dining and transport) could be put together in such a nice way?
The stained-glass windows all over the façade reflect the surrounding buildings, passers-by, and the open sky above. The giant cantilever in the front even hosts a delicate garden. Chic!
Bizarre Squares
The unusual and varied architecture in Batumi never ends. In fact, the city is packed with cool buildings. There are so many that it’s impossible to visit them all. Therefore, it’s better to focus on three cool squares around the Old Town. Most of Batumi attractions are there.
The Theater Square is home to the shining Batumi Drama Theater and the Neptune Fountain. We thought that all the golden details on the façade are a bit too much.
Next to it, Europe Square houses incredibly varied architecture, such as the Astronomical Clock and the Medea Statue. Though the square feels empty, the surrounding buildings are quite interesting.
Finally, Batumi Piazza surrounded by one building is a completely new project inspired by the famous Piazza di San Marco in Venice. Most of the structure is a cheap postmodern interpretation. However, the tower is slightly more avant-garde.
Interesting Sculptures
Just like other Georgian cities, Batumi hosts numerous sculptures. The largest one is the contemporary sculpture Ali & Nino located at the end of the Miracle Park. This impressive sculpture represents a Muslim boy and a Christian girl in love, moving next to each other until they merge.
The Ilia Chavchavadze Monument on the back of the Batumi State Theater is dedicated to the father of the nation. The golden Poseidon statue in front of the theater is an homage to the city’s maritime past.
The more recent Medea Monument on Europe Square is dedicated to the granddaughter of the sun God Helios. It’s a black statue holding the Golden Fleece, a reference to the ancient myth of the Argonauts.
Another monument we liked was the Engagement Statue on the beach promenade. We love how the blood-red heart stands out against the grey winter background.
Perfectly Tailored Parks and Gardens
Batumi’s recent grandiose urban reconstruction reached its peak with the embellishment of its coast. Beautiful green areas with interesting buildings, sculptures and fountains line the coast.
Right in the city center, where the Alphabetic Tower is you’ll find the Miracle Park. The historical Lighthouse, the Chacha Clock Tower which is not operating anymore, and the Ferris Wheel are there.
City’s largest park, Batumi Boulevard, is a long green area between the center and the beach. The small Colonnades and the Dancing Fountains next to the sea are some of its highlights. Further along the coast you’ll find the Batumi Central Park with a lake.
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