Situated in the famous Dzveli Tbilisi, or 'Old Town,' we find the Abanotubani District. An entire street of 'Abanos Kucha' or public bathhouses that originally gave the city of Tbilisi its name.
This is because the city is actually centered on a network of thermal springs and the word "Tbili" in Georgian means warm.
The legend goes that sometime in the 5th century AD, an ancient Georgian ruler, King Vakhtang Gorgasali, was hunting for pheasant when he fell down into one of these thermal pools. Alternatively, he was just impressed by the warm waters coming from the mountain springs and decided to build a settlement here and move his capital from its previous location of Mtskheta.
Either way, King Vakhtang is considered the modern founder of Tbilisi.
The water from these springs is naturally between 40°-50°C and also contains sulphur and other minerals which are believed to have many health benefits. Such as treating skin ailments and relieving pain in the joints.
The contemporary architecture of the 'Royal' bathhouses are of the Eastern or 'Persian' style, a legacy of one of Georgia's many former occupiers. Most of the structures are actually under the surface, and from the street level, we can only see several domes or minarets with windows for ventilation.
These bathhouses, on the bank of the Mtkvari River near the historic Narikala fortress, are still popular to this day with locals and tourists alike. Particularly among older people, for the reputed health benefits. But also for people of all ages simply looking to de-stress after a busy day.
Tbilisi Nomad
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Russell Thompson (@steem-beat)
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