Romanov Palace (Region of Samtskhe-Javakheti)
Romanov Palace in Likani (Georgian: რომანოვების სასახლე ). The beautiful palace, personifying the beauty of Likani (Georgian: ლიკანი ), was the property of the Russian royal family – the Romanovs. The building is made in the exotic Moorish style, which is distinguished by oriental motifs, rich decorations and the difference of each of the facades. The asymmetrical shape of the palace is emphasized by marble statues of ancient gods. The palace has preserved unique exhibits and almost all are antique. The main feature of the building is the adaptation of the palace design to the humid hot climate – the palace has adapted perfectly to the Borjomi Valley, and as a result of the architectural solutions found, the inside of the building is constantly dry and cool.
It is unknown why Mikhail Romanov liked this place for the palace, the construction of which began in 1892. Leonty Benois was chosen as the chief architect. It is noteworthy that in 1902, on the Tsemistskali River (Georgian: ცემისწყალი) near the Likani Palace, a metal bridge was built by order of Mikhail Romanov and according to the design of the great engineer Gustave Eiffel. The bridge is currently in operation. The palace was an important building, for its functioning, the first hydroelectric power station in the entire Russian Empire was built on the Kura River. After the revolution and the overthrow of the autocracy, the Likani Palace continued to serve as a summer home for the ruling elite. Sometimes Joseph Stalin personally spent summer evenings here. After gaining independence, the palace became the summer residence of the presidents of Georgia.
Likani (Georgian ლიკანი), Borjomi Municipality (Georgian ბორჯომის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
