Abastumani

Spa and observatory

Abastumani is located in the district of Adigeni about 20 km northwest of Akhaltsikhe on the river Ozche at 1400 meters above sea level. The town has almost 1000 inhabitants and was one of the most famous spa towns in the Caucasus in the late 19th century due to its hot, sulphurous thermal springs alongside Borjomi. Many sanatoriums for the treatment of lung, heart and respiratory diseases were established, which were also used by the elite of the Communist Party during the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, the guests stayed away and most businesses had to close.

Near Abastumani there is a well-known astrophysical observatory on Mount Qanobili at 1600 meters, which was built in 1892 and was one of the first observatories of the Russian Tsarist Empire. In the 1930s, the actual astrophysical observatory with the dome was added. It still contains the telescope with a focal length of 40 cm that a team of German engineers installed more than 90 years ago. The telescope from the well-known, formerly East German company Carl Zeiss Jena is still operational. Of course, the observatory in Absatumani also has more modern teleskopes with larger focal lengths.

How to get there;
From Akhaltsikhe first on the main road 8 about 10 km towards Adigeni to the west, then turn right onto the regional road 14 towards Absatumani. Driving time from Akhatsikhe by taxi about 40 minutes (30-40 GEL).

Distances from major cities:
Akhaltsikhe - Abastumani: 28 km