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How old is Batumi?

An ancient settlement, the Ottoman period and the modern city.

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Short answer

A settlement has existed on Batumi's site since antiquity; the ancient Greeks called the harbour Bathys, meaning 'deep'. The modern city grew rapidly after 1878, when Adjara passed from the Ottoman to the Russian Empire after the Russo-Turkish war and Batumi became a port. In the last 15-20 years Batumi has become a major resort, and in the 2024 census it became Georgia's second city.

Batumi: Adjara Capital — Old Town, Beach and Boulevard faq-cover-facts-about-georgia.png

Why

  1. After 1878 Batumi was a free port, porto franco, for several years.
  2. In the late 19th century Baku oil was shipped through Batumi, fuelling the city's growth.
  3. Gonio fortress near Batumi is even older, dating back to Roman times.

Details

The city's history is shown in the Batumi Archaeological Museum and the old quarters near the port. The oldest buildings in the centre date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Tip

For old Batumi, walk the streets near the port and Piazza; for ancient history, visit Gonio fortress.

What may differ

Common misconception

What actually happens

People also ask

  • How old is Batumi?

Sources

Historical dates follow commonly accepted historians' versions.

Batumi: Adjara Capital — Old Town, Beach and Boulevard

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