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Abastoumani
Landscape of the surroundings of Abastoumani.
Information
Country	Georgia (country)
Region	Samtskhe-Javakheti
Altitude	Between 1250 and m
Area	19,54 km²
Population	937 hab. (2014)
Density	47,95 inhab./km²
Postal code	0301
Spindle	UTC 04:00
Location
41 ° 45 ′ 12 ″ N 42 ° 49 ′ 55 ″ E
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Abastoumani is a city of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Understand

Abastumani is a small spa town from the Czar era and has a Soviet-era astrophysical observatory. Relatively unexplored by foreign tourists, Abastumani was once a thriving spa town during the late Russian Czar era. Today the city is quiet most of the year waiting for the rush of Georgian tourists in the summer who come to breathe its fresh air and walk in the forests.

To go

Abastumani can be reached by taxi or marshutka (mini-bus) from the bus station ofAkhaltsikhe. The journey takes approximately 30 min by taxi or 50 min approximately in marchroutka and depending on the number of stops it makes.

Circulate

The lower town has 7 km end to end and relatively flat so that it is easily accessible on foot. The observatory is at 4 km above the city. To get there, you can take a cable car sporadically or take an hour's walk on a path or a little more by road.

To see

There are many Tsarist-era buildings constructed of wood that are often abandoned to admire and photograph.

• Astrophysical observatory  – look at the stars and the moon through old telescopes. first and last quarter moon watching is best to see crater shadows. Climb to the observatory by cable car and go around the complex of the astrophysical observatory. The observatory looks surreal and seemingly abandoned. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Tamara Castle  – Explore the ruins of Tamara Castle located on the ridge overlooking the city. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Tsar's bath  – Visit the Tsar's Bath in the evening, it's under renovation, but you might get the keeper to let you soak in therapeutic spring water with your friends and a local wine. (last update Feb. 2018)

• The Romanov Palace complex  – The complex was probably once an interesting place but now it is hardly worth the walk out of town to see it. Of the three original buildings only one remains in poor condition and fenced, windowless, slowly deteriorating. Several years ago one of the buildings caught fire. It is currently under reconstruction and the main house has been sold to private owners who have altered the original appearance making it unrecognizable. (last update Feb. 2018)

Do

• Forest trip  – Walk in the forest surrounding the observatory in the footsteps of bears and wolves. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Trek  – Abastoumani Loop Trail in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Mountain biking  – Rent mountain bikes from the Abastumani Tourism Association and climb the mountain in the town of the Observatory. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Cable car  – Go up (or down) by Soviet-era gondola connecting the city to the observatory and you'll get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area. (last update Feb. 2018)

• Horse riding  – Rent horses and take a guided walk in the forest. (last update Feb. 2018)

To buy

There is a small market on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 8 h - 12 h 30 where you can buy local products such as fresh cheese, milk, vegetables, wine and honey.

Eat

• Ресторан ,   995 574 91 23 83 (last updated Nov 2018)

Have a drink / Go out

Housing

• Bed and Breakfast  – You can stay with a local family and they will cook traditional Georgian food for you and you will enjoy their hospitality. (last update Feb. 2018)

Communicate

Around