The balneological resort of Tskaltubo is located 12 kilometers northeast of Kutaisi, among the hills of the Samgural ridge. There are unique springs with therapeutic low-radioactive radon water, which helps in the treatment of many diseases. In terms of the scale of the resort infrastructure, Tskaltubo surpassed all other balneological centers of the Soviet Union.
Alas, but all the monumental sanatoriums of the Soviet Union in Tskaltubo are now in a semi-abandoned condition. However, radon springs receive visitors, and the huge Tskaltubo Park pleases vacationers with coolness in the shade of old trees. Many new hotels have been built here in recent years. Therefore, life with the destruction of old sanatoriums has not stopped. Tskaltubo, as before, remains one of the most important balneological resorts in the Caucasus.
Tskaltubo Resort in Stalin`s time
Joseph Stalin personally took part in the creation of the appearance of the Tskaltubo resort. His health was severely undermined during numerous exiles and escapes from them until 1917. In addition, Stalin suffered from dry-sightedness since childhood. At the age of 6, back in Gori, little Soso Dzhugashvili was hit by a horse-drawn phaeton. He miraculously stayed alive, but for the rest of his days his left arm was damaged and did not move. He built his personal Villa of Stalin in the resort of Matsesta near Sochi, but treatment in Tskaltubo in the mid-1930s helped him a lot.
After this treatment, Stalin ordered Tskaltubo to be made the largest balneological resort in the Soviet Union. All the ministries of the country were instructed to build sanatoriums for their workers in Tskaltubo. Sanatoriums and hotels appeared here: Miner, Metallurgist, Centrosoyuz, Tbilisi, Imereti and many others.
A total of 19 sanatoriums were built around the Resort Park in Tskaltubo in the 1930s and 50s. The ministries competed with each other, whose sanatorium looks more monumental. As a result, Tskaltubo became a symbol of the Stalinist Empire architectural style. A railway was laid to Tshaltubo Park, and until the collapse of the Soviet Union, a direct train Moscow – Tskaltubo ran here, on which thousands of vacationers came.
Radon water Tskaltubo
Several centuries ago, sources of weakly radioactive radon mineral water were found in Tskaltubo. Its analysis by Soviet specialists exceeded all expectations, as radon water helped in the treatment of a very large number of diseases.
One of the main purposes of radon water Tskaltubo is the treatment of bones and joints, as well as rehabilitation after severe operations. Tskaltubo water has a significant healing effect on bone and cartilage tissues.
It is also possible to treat people with diseases of the respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, metabolic disorders, gynecological diseases, skin diseases. Radon baths are contraindicated for people with oncological diseases.
Attractions of Tskaltubo
The balneological Resort of Tskaltubo is small in size. Of interest to tourists is only the Tshaltubo Park, in the center of which is the famous Stalin Spring No. 6 of mineral radon water. However, there are a large number of natural and historical attractions around Tskhalubo.
If you decide to see the sights in the vicinity of Kutaisi, then the Tskaltubo resort will probably be the best place to stay here in a hotel. In the immediate vicinity of Tskaltubo is the Sataplia Nature Reserve, as well as the Prometheus karst Cave.
Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfalls are located 40 kilometers to the northwest. These two attractions need to be visited during one excursion, as they are located 7 kilometers from each other. Also 40 kilometers away (but in a different gorge) is located the famous Martville Canyon.
Naturally, while in Tskaltubo, you need to visit the most famous sights of Kutaisi: the Bagrati Temple and the Gelati Monastery, which has been the spiritual center of Georgia for several centuries. If you wish, you can also visit the center of Kutaisi. Its main attractions are located around the Central David Agmashenebeli Square.
