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| წყალტუბო, Zkaltubo, Zqaltubo, Tskaltubo | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Imereti | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 18.000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 137 m | |
other value for height on Wikidata: 120 m  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Zkaltubo (also Zqaltubo, georg. წყალტუბო, English Tskaltubo) is a city in Imereti, about 15 km northwest of Kutaisi. Tskaltubo was once an important spa, where Stalin also liked to take cures, but after 1990 refugees from Abkhazia were accommodated in the pompous sanatoriums and the spa business almost completely came to a standstill. The magnificent hotels and spas are now to be renovated.
In the vicinity of the city there are also the famous Prometheus cave as well as the Sataplia Natural Park.
Dynamic cardsbackground
The city was already known in the 19th century for its moderate climate and the warm, slightly radioactive thermal springs, the water of which is said to be effective against rheumatism and other joint diseases. When Zkaltubo was connected to the railway network in 1934, the city became an important health resort, and in the following years a large health resort, sixteen sanatoriums and numerous motels were built. Towards the end of the Soviet Union, around 100,000 spa guests came to the city every year. With the end of the Soviet Union, however, the spa guests stayed away. In the wake of the Abkhazia conflict, most of the sanatoriums and hotels housed refugees. Today only a few facilities are available to the spa, but in the recent past a handful of new hotels and old hotels and spas have been renovated. The renovation work has stalled a bit since 2013, you can only enjoy the magnificent buildings dilapidated, a journey back in time to the Soviet Union is certain.
The Research Institute of Asthma, Allergies and Immunology of the Georgian Academy of Sciences is located in Tskaltubo.
The area surrounding the city is internationally known for its extensive underground caves in the area, which are still not fully explored. The Prometheus Cave and Sataplia are prepared for tourism.
getting there
By plane
The Kutaisi airport is located 15 km south of the city, it is best to follow the regional road შ 112 from 1 Roundabout at the south end of the city to Partskhanakanevi and from there the main road ს 1 ri. Samtredia.
By train
The 2 The train station is located at the southwest corner of the spa gardens and is one of the most beautiful of its kind in Georgia. Between Kutaisi-I, Tskaltubo and Kutaisi-II (or opposite direction) run four trains daily, travel time approx. 50 min., English timetable.
By bus
The 3 The city's bus station is located north of the city center on Avaliani Street, next to the local market. Several times an hour marshrutkas go to Kutaisi, extremely rare to Prometheus Cave.
In the street
The regional road შ 15 connects Kutaisi with Zkaltubo and continues after Letschchumi and downsvaneti. The regional road შ 112 leads to Partskhanakanevi on ს 1 ri. Samtredia/Batumi. The შ 52 leads to the west Choni. A signposted municipal road leads from the town center to Sataplia.
Of Tbilisi coming is Zkaltubo in the urban area of Kutaisi not signposted. It is best to follow the main street through the city. If this branches off to the left at the bus station / McDonald's and crosses the bridge over the railway line, turn right instead. You now drive straight for about 2 km and turn sharp left at the second roundabout (only painted on) and then keep going straight on.
mobility
Within the city, the extensive spa park is ideal for strolling, but otherwise the place is small enough to reach most places on foot.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Spa gardens a spacious complex with pavilions and fountains, currently a bit overgrown and dilapidated, but it is gradually being renovated.
- 2 Spa No. 6: Built in 1951 according to plans by the architects Tarasow and Chimschiaschwili, the “Great Bath” offers splendid interior decorations with mosaics, paintings, wood paneling and marble. Above the entrance is a wall frieze showing Stalin surrounded by children. Stalin himself often bathed here. The staff are happy to show visitors around and explain the history of the building, but only in Russian or Georgian.
- 3 Former Hotel Shakhtar: Opened in 1952, the Schachtjor is the most magnificent of all sanatoriums with a large flight of stairs, a colonnade walkway and a park with statues.
- 4 Former Hotel Sakartvelo: Opened in 1983, the former 500-bed hotel is a prime example of the modern constructivist architecture of the late Soviet era.
- 5 Former Hotel Tbilisi: Built 1950-51 by the architects Oltarshevsky and Sobolevsky in a neoclassical style.
- 6 Former Univermag (department store) "Sataplia": simple constructivist style of the 1980s
- 7 Municipal Giorgi Achwlediani Museum: Archaeological and ethnographic exhibits. Opening times daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., entry 1 Lari. Tel 995 431 24076, email [email protected]
in the neighborhood:
- 8 Prometheus Cave (პრომეთეს მღვიმე), Raion Tskaltubo, Locality Kumistavi (The journey from Kutaisi (22 km) by Marshrutka is possible, but not very useful. From the one there Tsiteli Khidi (“Red bridge”) runs to Tskaltubo line 30 about half an hour, afterwards you need line 42 for the remaining 8 km, which only runs every 1-2 hours. A taxi from Kutaisi for 20 Lari (one way) is more practical.). Tel.: 995 577 10 14 17. In the karst area of Imereti there are numerous, extensive cave systems known that have still not been fully explored. Its potential as a shelter in the event of a nuclear war was recognized during the Soviet era, so numerous (kept secret) expeditions were carried out. Tbilisi geologists found the Prometheus Cave near the town of Kumistavi in 1984 and received a bonus of 100 rubles for it. Today the Prometheus Cave is one of the most important sights in the region. The stalagmites and stalactites as well as other formations are beautifully set in scene with effect lighting. In 2007-11, 1.4 km of concrete paths and around 800 steps were made accessible underground. Six large caverns are shown, the rock formations are illuminated with colored lights. The boat trip on the water flowing through the cave is not always possible.Open: Tue-Sun 10.00-17.30.Price: 7 Lari (with a rather rushed tour).
- Natural park 1 Sataplia with dinosaur footprints and another stalactite cave.
activities
- JSC "Balneo Service", Bathhouse No. 6. Tel.: 995 436 224173, Email: [email protected]. Bathing, water massages, mud baths, physiotherapy and therapeutic treatments in spa No. 6 and other sanatoriums.
shop
- The 1 Markt is located north of the city center on Avaliani Street, next to the bus station.
- There is one on Tsereteli Street, near the bus station 2 TBC Bank ATM.
accommodation
- 1 Tskaltubo Plaza, 15a Rustaveli St. (at the north end of the spa park). Tel.: 995 436 222 393. According to our own assessment 4 *. With a fitness center, sauna, etc., slow WiFi.Price: NS: Standard double from 185, DeLuxe from 300 Lari.
security
- There are no crime concerns in the city.
- Be careful when exploring the sanatoriums - some railings are missing and the stairs are in poor condition
- After something was built a few years ago, the area around the poorly maintained spa park is now a mixture of decaying ruins, manhole covers are always missing and there is a high risk of tripping.
health
- Although the entire city is a spa, there is no hospital. The nearest hospital is in Kutaisi.
- There are a few pharmacies in the market area.
literature
- Invest in Georgia: Tskaltubo Spa & Wellness Resorts Development & Restauration 2011: [1]
Web links
- Experience report Zkaltubo / Prometheus Cave with many photos (in English) [2]
