Batumi: Legends of the Old Town

Batumi was first mentioned by the Greek philosopher Aristotle almost 2,500 years ago. Then the Black Sea was called Pontus Euxinus, and on its shores civilizations replaced each other. Ancient temples and fortresses grew and destroyed, they were replaced by the domes of Christian churches, arched bridges across stormy rivers and vineyards, a millennium passed and arrows of minarets plunged into the sky, now the coast surprises with ledges of skyscrapers flooded with fires. Epic history, however, like many seaside towns, Batumi has known many wars and fires. Therefore, the oldest building in the city is the Lighthouse, built in the XIX century. And this is very symbolic, because only the sea and the cries of seagulls remain the same as the darkness of centuries before.

This walk will pass through the quiet streets of the Old Town and its atmospheric courtyards, main squares, the Turkish quarter and Batumi Boulevard. We will talk about the history of the city in ancient myths and legends, Adjara tales, songs and dances, and those works dedicated to Batumi by the charmed wanderers Yesenin, Babel, Bulgakov, Paustovsky and many others.