Borjomi history at a glance
Borjomi grew around its mineral springs in a wooded river gorge. The springs were known before the town became a spa. The Romanov years, the Soviet decree of 1921 and the national park of 1995 each added a layer, and you can still read all three in the town and its surroundings.
This page is a short history of the place. It helps you decide what to see on a visit. For the walk through the central park itself, see our Borjomi Central Park guide, and for a full day out, the Borjomi day trips from Tbilisi.
Timeline
The main steps in the order they happened.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1820s | The springs are rediscovered |
| 1871 | The gorge becomes a Romanov estate |
| Late 19th century | A summer residence is built in Likani |
| 20 May 1921 | Soviet decree creates the spa area |
| 1995 | National park founded |
For most visitors, the best way to feel this history is to walk the central park first and then add a day in the national park.
Our pick: Georgia history day
A guided day to some of the country's oldest sites.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Borjomi tours and day trips
Day trips from Tbilisi and tours around Borjomi, with live prices and availability.
The springs and the rediscovery
The mineral springs of the gorge gave the town its name and its reason to exist. They were rediscovered in the 1820s. What matters for a visit is that the springs came first and the spa town followed.
Today the springs are a stop in the central park.
The Romanov estate and the Likani summer residence
How the family shaped the valley.
1871: Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolayevich
From 1871 the Borjomi gorge belonged to Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolayevich Romanov as his estate. This marks the start of the Romanov spa era, although it does not mean that all buildings and springs date from that year.
Likani summer residence
In the late 19th century a summer residence for Nikolai Romanov was built in Likani, to a design by L. Benois. A restoration and a museum use were planned from 2017. Check locally before you plan a visit.
Trails with a Romanov name
The Nikoloz Romanovi trail in the national park runs 43 km in three days, from Likani to Marelisi. Its stages are 15, 18 and 10 km. It is a multi-day hike, not a day walk.
Hiking guide →The Soviet spa decree of 1921
A decree of 20 May 1921 made the valley a spa area of state importance. From then on, Borjomi developed as a Soviet spa region.
The narrow-gauge railway and the national park
Two later chapters you can still follow.
The line to Bakuriani
The narrow-gauge railway to Bakuriani, known as the Kukushka, has stood still for years. A full restoration is planned and a restart is announced for the winter, but the line does not run yet. Do not plan a trip around it. See the Bakuriani guide for what runs today.
The national park of 1995
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park was founded in 1995. It has a network of 12 numbered trails. Register at the visitor center before you walk. See the national park guide for routes and huts.
Borjomi history: frequently asked questions
When were the Borjomi mineral springs discovered?
The springs were rediscovered in the 1820s, and the spa town grew around them later.
What was the Romanov connection to Borjomi?
From 1871 the gorge was the estate of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolayevich Romanov, and a summer residence for Nikolai Romanov followed in Likani in the late 19th century.
When did Borjomi become a spa town?
A Soviet decree of 20 May 1921 made the valley a spa area of state importance. The spa tradition began earlier, in the Romanov years.
Can I visit the Likani palace?
The palace belongs to the history of the district. A restoration was planned, so check locally before you build a visit around it.
Is the Kukushka railway running?
No regular service is running at present. A restart is announced but not yet running, so check the current situation.