There is something magical about abandoned buildings. It is almost as if time has stopped and people suddenly vaporized, however I am not an expert on Urbex by any chance, I just happened to be lucky enough to visit this rather famous resort built during Soviet era.
Abandoned Stalin's spa resort - that is most likely how you'll find about Tskaltubo on a tourist map. And let me tell you it surely has a place there! I know that Chernobil is a great example and potentially the father of all Urbex... We are not going that far of the beaten path today, but far enough to get a little sketchy and dangerous as any Urban Experience should be...
We have started our small expedition traditionally in Marshutka. Small city bus drove us for a small fee thirteen kilometers out of the city center of Kutaisi to our destination of choice - Tskaltubo.
The road was bumpy but short. As soon as we saw the first ruin we jumped off the bus and continue by foot. Following our sixth sense, we have quickly found the shortest way to the 'danger' zone. As we got to the entrance to what used to be a Soviet hotel, local guards started coming out. Some of them were cute cats, but also a few hungry looking dogs. We have quickly realized that having some food for them would have been a good idea. But hey, there was no time going back and so these poor animals had to survive without our help. Hopefully next person reading this will support them in their uneasy existence on his or her visit.
As we got scared of the dogs at first, we did wandered around blindly for a while and encountered another weird appearance. Bunch of what could have been local gangsters have been meeting in the resort. Fancy looking cars in the middle of abandoned resort looked at least suspicious if not straight on criminal. But as they saw us coming they quickly ended their meeting and vanished. By that time we have already found a second entrance to the building which wasn't guarded by anybody and finally ventured inside.
The resort was full of antique furniture and equipment, but mostly half broken anyways. Nothing you would want to take home with you as a souvenir. On the other hand we have seen indications that other people do so quite happily. Some of the tiles and marble blocks are being 'disappeared' and most likely reused in somebody's garden or bathroom. Other people find even better use for this building - which is reclaiming it for themselves as they actively reside on the premises. Maybe around thirty people can be living in this area full time. Mostly refugees from recent war with Russia, or just the less fortunate participants of the economy.
The whole resort has about twenty buildings and we have only scratched the surface. Some areas are even being guarded by people as they demand entry fees from tourists. This is nothing official or regulated whatsoever, it is just how things work here. In my opinion this place is a must do when visiting Kutaisi, as the whole city is not so interesting and photogenic as abandoned Tskaltubo...
Global Local