The discovery of Borjomi’s mineral springs is a tale intertwined with military history and serendipity. In December 1810, during a campaign against the Ottoman Empire, Georgian nobleman Tamaz Orbeliani, alongside General A. Tormasov, laid siege to the fortress of Akhaltsikhe. After a ten-day standoff, they retreated into the Borjomi Gorge. It was here that Orbeliani’s troops stumbled upon the mineral springs, marking the first recorded mention of these waters.
However, the springs remained largely unnoticed until 1829, when soldiers from the Kherson Grenadier Regiment of the Imperial Russian Army, stationed in Borjomi during operations against the Ottoman forces, rediscovered them on the right bank of the Borjomi River. Colonel Pavel Popov, the regiment’s commander, intrigued by the find, ordered the springs to be cleared. Suffering from a stomach ailment, Popov personally tested the waters and experienced relief. Recognizing their potential, he commissioned the construction of stone enclosures around the springs and a bathhouse nearby, along with a small residence for himself.
The therapeutic properties of the Borjomi mineral waters soon gained prominence. By 1837, Dr. Amirov, the physician of the Georgian Grenadier Regiment, analyzed the water’s composition and effects, forwarding his findings to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The reputation of the springs grew, attracting notable figures, including the Viceroy of the Russian Tsar in the Caucasus, Yevgeni Golovin. In 1841, Golovin brought his ailing daughter, Yekaterina, to Borjomi for treatment. Witnessing her swift recovery, he named the first spring “Yekaterinsky” in her honor and the second “Yevgeniyevsky” after himself.
This rediscovery and subsequent development transformed Borjomi into a renowned spa destination, laying the foundation for its status as a celebrated health resort.
In winter, a walk through Borjomi becomes a journey into a snow-covered fairytale. It begins at the historic “Firuza” house — the former residence of the Persian ambassador Mirza Riza Khan, built in 1892. This striking building, blending Persian and Georgian architectural styles, marks the elegant entrance to Borjomi Central Park.
The park itself was established in 1850 and has since become a beloved retreat for locals and visitors alike. In winter, its paths along the icy Borjomula River are lined with ancient fir trees, their branches heavy with snow, creating a serene, almost magical landscape.
Deeper into the park stands the statue of Prometheus, installed in 2007. The sculpture, depicting the mythical titan who gave fire to humanity, symbolizes Georgia’s aspirations for freedom and knowledge. Nearby, an open warm mineral spring flows year-round — a source long renowned for its therapeutic properties. In the cold season, a sip of this naturally warm, mineral-rich water offers a soothing contrast to the winter air, aiding digestion and restoring inner balance.
Further along, visitors will find the Rococo Pavilion — an ornate cast-iron structure brought from Belgium and installed in the late 19th century. Covered in frost, surrounded by snow, it becomes a poetic symbol of the era when Borjomi was rising as a health resort of imperial grandeur. In winter, this corner of the park becomes not just a place of beauty, but a living memory of history, healing, and timeless tranquility.
