Sulfuric Baths (Abanotubani) (Tbilisi City)
Sulfuric Baths (Georgian: თბილისის გოგირდის აბანოები) Abanotubani (Georgian: აბანოთუბანი ) – The name is associated with the baths, known since ancient times, built on natural hot mineral waters. It was in this place that the first settlement of the city arose. Tbilisi baths have almost 2000 years of history. The local population has had contact with the bath culture since time immemorial, including both the aristocracy and ordinary citizens. The skill of the bath masseurs was known throughout the world. In addition to hygienic and medicinal purposes, Tbilisi baths also served as public spaces. In the old days, people not only washed themselves here, but also socialized, staying up until dawn. Banquets were held in the baths, and trade deals were concluded. Bath days usually alternated: men’s and women’s.
Like other parts of the city, the Baths were repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The name reflected the personality of its owner or came from some characteristic. Now all the baths are privatized on the condition of preserving the profile of work and protecting cultural monuments. The baths are built in the style of classical oriental architecture. These are low, squat buildings, covered from above by semicircular domes with large glass openings in the center, which served as windows illuminating the interior, since the baths themselves are below ground level. Inside the baths there are separate men’s and women’s halls with a small pool, as well as rooms filled with hydrogen sulphide water, exclusively rented for a while. In terms of chemical composition, sulfur waters belong to sulfur-alkaline thermal baths and are successfully used in the treatment of various chronic diseases.
4, Sanapiro Street (Georgian: სანაპიროს ქუჩა 4), Tbilisi Municipality (Georgian: თბილისის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
