The Romanov Palace

Please note:
at the time of our visit (May 2022) the Romanov Palace was not accessible for tourists. We were allowed to take pictures from the outside. There are plans to renovate the palace and make it a museum.  

The Romanov Palace and its garden were erected by Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich of Russia between 1892 and 1895 as a summer palais in Likani. Likani is a district of the city of Borjomi, located at its western end. Today’s “Romanov Palace” is located on the grounds of the famous Borjomi-Likani hotel.

At that time Borjomi was enjoying a period of economic wealth, serving as a summer resort for the noble, rich and famous of Imperial Russia.

During the Soviet rule over Georgia, the Likani residence passed into the hands of the Communist state authorities and was frequented by key Soviet officials, including Georgian born Joseph Stalin himself. In a newly independent Georgia, the palace functions as a summer residence of the President of Georgia.

The palace is home to unique collectibles that were mostly presents from foreign emperors and heads of state during the period of Imperial Russia, like Napoleon or the Shah of Iran. They include a historic table made from walnut tree roots that was supposedly constructed by Russian Emperor Peter I himself.  

The arch of the central entrance is decorated with a porcelain parrot, that was supposed to move through an air blowing system, every time the door was opened in order to greet visitors. 

And the legendary “Romanov cabinet”, in which Joseph Stalin used to work during his summer visits, is also still preserved in its oriental style, including the historic fireplace, furniture and mosaic ceiling.

Picture credits: beyondarts GmbH

Project “Increased regional added value in the tourism sectors of Georgia by Digital Heritage Tourism Guides” was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation.