Visiting the derelict sanatoria of Tskaltubo

Local shepherds discovered the healing mineral water in this area, during the early 13th century. Before the Second World War, a couple of sanatoriums were built here, but the town flourished after the war. Tskaltubo mineral water cured both diseases from the limbs, peripheral nervous system and skin. As such, Tskaltubo developed into a Soviet spa resort town. All the sanatoria were abandoned on the collapse of the Soviet Union. This led to the hotels and sanatoria being left empty to crumble and decay. However, they didn’t stay empty for long. When war erupted in the nearby Abkhazia in 1992, some 9 thousand refugees (IDP’s) found temporary shelter in Tskaltubo’s vacant sanatoriums. Hundreds of families still inhabit this area. Hotel Medea’ is an iconic abandoned hotel and sanatorium. The once-grand concrete structure was built in 1954. The hotel was eventually finished in 1962. With its countless columns and blue archways, the facade of Hotel Medea was built in the classical Stalinist architecture. Sanatorium Imereti with its sweeping staircases, marble columns and the remains of a majestic rotunis another of Tskaltubo’s highlights. We also much liked visiting the UFO shaped bathhouse 8. You can only imagine how things will have been here in the ‘70s and ‘80’s. We often think that things were all doom and gloom in the Soviet Union, but life and holidays in this area would have been very different. At the same time, we were humbled by the fact that so many IDP’s lived/live in these abandoned sanatoria.

[@paorag2937]

Incredible! Fantastic drone footage and a lovely documentary video thank you. Who knew the Soviets were the inheritors of Roman holiday and sanatoria culture?! God willing one day some of these stunning creations could be restored to their former glory and use. Bon voyage!

[@DestinationUnknownNetherlands]

Great that you liked it!