Sanatorium Sakartvelo, located in Tskaltubo, Georgia, is an abandoned spa complex built between 1974 and 1983. Designed in the Brutalist style, it reflects the bold architectural ambitions of the Soviet era. Tskaltubo itself was famous across the Soviet Union for its natural mineral springs, believed to have healing properties. The sanatorium could host up to 500 guests and offered facilities like balneotherapy, swimming pools, a cinema, and dining areas.
After the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, the spa industry in Tskaltubo declined, and many of its buildings, including Sanatorium Sakartvelo, were abandoned. During the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict in the early 1990s, the structure became a temporary refuge for families displaced by the war. For some, the abandoned sanatorium turned into a long-term home, with people living in its crumbling rooms for decades.
Today, the building remains in poor condition, with its cascading design still standing out against the hillside. Inside, the halls are dark and crumbling, with remnants of its Soviet-era use and traces left behind by the families who once lived there. Discussions about restoring Tskaltubo’s historic spa complexes, including Sanatorium Sakartvelo, have been ongoing, but progress has been slow.
Urban explorers and history enthusiasts continue to visit the site, drawn by its striking design and its layers of history. Visitors should exercise caution, as the structure is unstable and parts of it could be dangerous to explore.
