Exploring Georgia’s Soviet Legacy: Abandoned Towns, Forgotten Monuments & Cold War Relics
Tucked between Europe and Asia, Georgia is a country of profound contrasts—ancient churches and stunning mountain vistas blend effortlessly with remnants of a more recent and sombre past. One such layer of its history is the Soviet legacy—a complex, haunting, yet fascinating chapter that left behind an architectural and cultural imprint still visible across the country today.
From decaying sanatoriums to colossal monuments and eerie ghost towns, exploring Georgia’s Soviet past is like flipping through the forgotten pages of a once-mighty empire. For history buffs, urban explorers, and lovers of faded grandeur, these sites are more than just abandoned structures — they are time capsules of ideology, ambition, and rapid decay.
Tskaltubo: The Spa Town Frozen in Time
Perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful symbol of Soviet-era excess in Georgia is the ghost town of Tskaltubo, located near the city of Kutaisi. Once a thriving spa resort town in the 1950s, Tskaltubo was frequented by high-ranking Soviet elites and even Stalin himself, drawn to its radon-rich therapeutic waters.
At its peak, the town had over 20 grand sanatoriums and bathhouses designed in a neoclassical-meets-deco Soviet style. Today, many of these buildings are abandoned — peeling frescoes, crumbling columns and empty pools are now home to wandering vines and eerie silence. Yet, that very abandonment is what makes Tskaltubo magical. The haunting beauty of nature reclaiming architecture is a photographer’s dream and a historian’s treasure trove.
Chiatura: A Mining Town with Sky-High Nostalgia
Chiatura, nestled deep in the Imereti region, was a Soviet mining hub known for its dizzying system of cable cars, which ferry workers across the rugged cliffs. Nicknamed the “City of Cable Cars,” Chiatura still has a few functioning lines today—creaking metal boxes suspended high above the river valleys, offering a unique, if slightly nerve-wracking, way to see the town.
The entire town breathes the nostalgia of its industrial past — Soviet statues, brutalist buildings, and ageing factories dot the landscape, offering an unfiltered view into a town that time forgot.
Soviet Monuments & Architecture: Symbols of Power and Pride
Across Georgia, you’ll find monuments and mosaics that once stood as proud emblems of Soviet unity and ideological strength. While many have deteriorated or been removed, some still stand tall:
The Chronicle of Georgia – A Towering Tale Near Tbilisi
Perched on a hill overlooking the Tbilisi Sea, The Chronicle of Georgia is perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring yet lesser-known Soviet monuments in the country. Created by Georgian-Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli in the 1980s, the structure fuses Soviet grandeur with ancient Georgian heritage. The monument consists of 16 colossal columns, each about 30–35 meters high, depicting kings, saints, and moments from Georgian history on their lower halves, while the upper sections portray scenes from the life of Christ, creating a striking blend of nationalism and religion.
The setting adds to the drama — surrounded by silence and panoramic views of Tbilisi, the Chronicle feels more like a forgotten shrine than a monument. It’s a must-visit for photographers, history lovers, and anyone seeking a surreal experience away from the city bustle.
Enguri Dam – A Monument of Soviet Engineering
Located near the border with Abkhazia, the Enguri Dam is not just a crucial hydroelectric plant—it’s also an enduring legacy of Soviet technical ambition. Completed in the 1980s, it is one of the tallest arched dams in the world, rising 271.5 meters high and curving across the Enguri River.
The structure remains operational to this day and supplies electricity to both Georgia and the disputed Abkhaz region, making it not only an engineering marvel but a geopolitical linchpin. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop, it’s a testament to Soviet ambition and infrastructural prowess, now integrated into Georgia’s future.
Mosaics and Reliefs – Utopian Dreams in Color
Scattered across Soviet-era bus stops, apartment blocks, public halls, and abandoned schools, mosaics and bas-reliefs vividly illustrate Soviet ideals. These works of public art are visual manifestos, depicting everything from cosmonauts and collective farmers to scenes of scientific progress and socialist unity.
Crafted in vibrant tiles and striking compositions, these mosaics are often faded and chipped, but their power remains. In places like Rustavi, Chiatura, and along long stretches of rural highway, these mosaics stand as cultural fossils of a time when art served ideology. For those with a love for Soviet aesthetics or street photography, these hidden gems offer a unique way to explore Georgia’s landscapes—not just geographically but ideologically.
Why Visit Georgia’s Soviet Past?
Urban Exploration – These abandoned sites offer a rare chance to step into history, untouched by tourism and commercialization.
Photographic Goldmine – Dramatic decay, haunting symmetry, and the juxtaposition of concrete and greenery create stunning visual opportunities.
Historical Insight – You gain a deeper understanding of the Soviet influence on Georgia’s development, culture, and identity.
Cultural Contrast – Visiting these places alongside ancient churches and vibrant markets shows the spectrum of Georgia’s layered past.
Tips for Visiting
Many sites are not maintained and can be dangerous; explore responsibly and bring a guide when possible.
Tskaltubo and Chiatura are reachable by car or marshrutka from Kutaisi or Tbilisi.
Autumn and spring are ideal seasons to explore — cool, crisp air and photogenic light.
The Soviet legacy in Georgia isn’t about nostalgia but understanding. These remnants invite you to look beyond the picturesque to grasp the complexities of a country that has seen both grandeur and hardship. Whether you’re drawn to eerie sanatoriums or heroic mosaics, Georgia’s Soviet shadows have stories to tell — you just have to walk among them.