Sulfur baths in Tbilisi: description, where are, reviews

Almost any country can boast of its centuries-old history, culture and unique sights, attracting crowds of tourists every year. Georgia is a large and rather colorful state with a beautiful and bright capital. Its name translates as "warm" or "sunny city". One of the brightest and most remarkable places here are famous sulfur baths. In Tbilisi, this is a unique place, created around the XVI-XVII century. Where is it located? How does it work? And what about it say experienced travelers?

What is hidden in itself the legend of sulfur baths?

Like any sight, whose creation goes back centuries, sulfur baths are associated with a beautiful legend. It is believed that this delightful and unusual by its natural characteristics was once discovered by the ruler - Vakhtang Gorgasali. It is said that the king discovered a place where later sulfur baths will be located in Tbilisi, quite by accident. During the hunt, he released his falcon. He chased the pheasant, but, having scratched it, dropped it into the hot sulfur water, where he cooked. According to another version (and there are several of them), the deer, who was wounded by the tsar, drank water from warm sources and miraculously recovered.

From this moment the ruler decided not only to remember the place where warm springs are located, but also to establish a city called Tbilisi. Later he opened here the famous baths. By the way, near the entrance to this complex, behind the picturesque park named after H. Aliyev, there is a monument in the form of a falcon, holding in its claws the carcass of a pheasant.

Beautiful legend: truth or fiction?

However, as it turned out, this is just a beautiful legend, which local residents are very proud to present to tourists. The myth was dispelled by archaeological excavations recently carried out in the capital of Georgia . According to these studies, the city itself existed before the birth of Vakhtang Gorgasali. Its origin is associated with the late Middle Ages.

It turns out that already at the appearance in the walls of the future capital of the king in the region of modern sulfur baths there was a huge wall of concrete. In support of this research, an old Roman manuscript was found, in which the modern city was displayed as a fortified settlement called the Fillado. Based on historical data, in V-VI the main residence of the head of the settlement and the ancient sulfur baths in Tbilisi were there. The only difference is that at that time the city was called in a different way.

A few words about warm springs

Sulfur baths in Tbilisi are built on warm springs with sulfur-alkaline liquid flowing from the ground, which has a specific smell of hydrogen sulfide. According to preliminary estimates of specialists, the total number of such reservoirs is 31. The most interesting is that, according to local residents, you can swim in them all year round. Still, because the water is heated to a temperature of 37 ° C. That's why the place was the perfect foundation for the first modern sulfur baths. From the street they look like stone semicircular structures, reminiscent of the Eskimo needle. Themselves the baths are located under the ground.

Where are the sulfur baths?

Find in Tbilisi sulfuric baths (the address of which any metropolitan taxi driver knows) is quite simple. They are located in the old town in the Abanotubani quarter, snugly located on the right bank of the high-mountainous mountain river Kura. To visit this place, you will have to proceed along the street of Iosif Grishashvili, which is in direct parallel with the local embankment, and reach the Metekhinsky Bridge.

A vivid reference point on which you can easily find this landmark is the ancient Metekha temple. According to local residents, from him you will only have to pass along the bridge through the above-mentioned Kuru. So you will reach the famous baths in just 4-5 minutes. And this is provided that you will move on foot. If you prefer to go by car, then the final point of your journey is at the following address: st. Abano, 2.

Go to the sulfur baths in Tbilisi (a photo of this entertaining sight you see in the article) is possible on public transport. To do this, you need to take a bus with the following numbers: 31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80 or 102 (optional). And then there will only be a stop at the stop called "Abanotubani".

What are the details of the bath complex?

Famous baths are a whole complex, occupying a whole block. In this case, each structure has its own characteristics and history. The main thing is that each of them is designed for people with the most diverse level of prosperity. For example, here you can see the so-called Mirzoyev's bathhouse. There are also other fonts in the complex:

• №5.
• VIP.
• "Samepe Abano", or "Tsar's Bath".
• "Iraklievskaya".
• Bebutovskaya.
• «Sumbatovskaya».
• "Treasury".
• Orbelianovskaya, Purple, or Blue.

These are the sulfur baths in Tbilisi. The work schedule is suitable for all citizens, as the opening of the complex occurs early in the morning, and it closes late at night.

Simple and spacious bath "Mirzoevskaya", or "Fantasy"

"Mirzoyevskaya" bath ("Fantasy") is located slightly away from the rest of the complex. This relatively old building with a lightly rubbed lining is located on Grishashvili Street 11. It is in this excellent sight that the common men's and women's hall is equipped. The cost of such a visit is only 2-5 GEL. Our money is 60-150 rubles. In this building, not least, there is a small pool with hot sulfur water. One is for ladies only.

In most cases, sulfur baths in Tbilisi do not contain bathing ponds designed solely for female audience. In other words, there is simply no pool for ladies in other buildings. Girls have to be content with only a shower. Men in this regard are more fortunate - for them it is everywhere. But a pleasant addition is a massage, the cost of which varies from 5 to 15 laris (150-450 rubles).

Sulfur Bath №5: the atmosphere of the Soviet era

The most famous building from the whole complex. And if other buildings changed their names repeatedly, then this building preserved it. It is an excellent reminder of the Soviet era. So, next to the entrance to the building, which can be seen from the side of the park of H. Aliyev, an unusual sign with the indication of 1926 is installed. It is believed that number 5 - a budget option for recreation, which can easily afford an average local resident or a tourist with a small level of prosperity. The cost of staying here varies from 150 rubles (common room) and up to 2400 rubles. (Separate booths).

In this bathhouse, located on Abanotubania Street, there is a separate women's and men's room, as well as personal numbers with a different hourly price and functionality. № 5 is open every day, except Monday (this day is the day off). Other sulfur baths operate in Tbilisi on the same schedule. Opening hours: from 8 am to 10 pm (common rooms are open), and the rooms are open 24 hours a day.

VIP bath: steam room with chic and shine

This bath, as you can see from its name, is suitable only for people with high incomes. It is considered the most expensive and elite, as staying in it costs from 150 lari (450 rubles) per hour. But, despite this, it is very popular. In the font there is only one common room, which, according to the words of local residents, is often visited by the Georgian patriarch himself. You can see the bath directly from the waterfront, where it adjoins a fairly large hotel building. Like No. 5, it is located on Abanotubania Street, there are also other sulfur baths in Tbilisi. Reviews about this building you can hear only the most positive. This is due not only to the high price and level of service, but also to stellar guests who come here regularly.

"Samepe Abano", or "Tsar's Bath"

This bath is considered one of the oldest. It was repeatedly restored and refined. Located "Samepe Abano" in walking distance from the "number 5". The entrance to it is almost in the center of the Abanotubani street, almost at the beginning of the street. Grishashvili. There is no common hall, but there are five separate rooms with a rather high cost from 60 to 100 lari per hour (1800-3000 rubles).

"Iraklyevskaya", or "Bath of the King of Irakly"

"Iraklievskaya" bath, which is considered one of the oldest buildings in the complex, was originally called VIP. However, in time this was forgotten. And immediately after privatization the building was renamed, and also received a separate entrance. You can reach it by the pointer, on it it is called simply "Sulfur Bath". It has four small rooms with different price and orientation: from 10 to 50 lari (300-1500 rubles).

Other baths of the complex

"Bebutovskaya", "Sumbatovskaya" and "Kazennaya" - these baths were built around the beginning of the XVII century. "Orbelianovskaya", "Pestraya", or "Blue" - one font, but only with a different interpretation of its name. This is a very bright and unusually beautiful building, created in a certain Turkish style. It resembles the palace of the Sultan and immerses visitors into the world of an amazing eastern culture. The cost of visiting the general hall in it will cost you 4-5 laris (120-150 rubles), and individual cabins - 20-50 lari (604-1500 rubles).

Sulfur baths and beautiful couples on Lake Lisi

In addition to the old town, there are sulfur baths in Tbilisi on Lake Lisi. This is a more modern version of the balneological resort with an unusually nice promenade, a park and a bicycle path. There is a lot of entertainment, including the rental of catamarans and boats. There is a tennis court, go-cart racing, and a rope park for adults and children. You can get to Lisi, for example, by bus number 29, which will take you from the metro "Technical University" to the lake. The cost of the room in a sulfur bath, designed for four people, will cost you 50-60 lari (1500-1800 rubles).

What is the use of sulfur baths?

The benefits of sulfur baths are obvious - sulfur can improve the skin, relaxes and restores the whole body, and also treats diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. However, it is only necessary to immerse in such a bath for 8-12 minutes. Then you can come up, relax and do a few more similar approaches, but not more than four. An additional effect of taking hydrogen sulfide baths can be obtained by ordering a massage. Its cost is only 10-15 GEL (300-450 rubles).

Sulfur baths in Tbilisi: contraindications

To go to sulfur baths with the purpose of general improvement it is possible not all. For example, it is contraindicated to do this to people with circulatory problems or heart rhythm disturbances. Therefore, before visiting such a landmark in Georgia, you need to consult a doctor.

What do people think and sulfur baths?

You can find all sorts of opinions about sulfur baths. However, almost all of them are associated with positive emotions. Someone really liked the sensations that arise after immersion in a warm spring. Someone was delighted with the massage. And someone appreciated the beauty of the architectural magnificence of the complex of sulfur baths. As they say, do not try - do not know.