Romanov Palace

Conceived as a secluded alpine sanctuary for Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia, this 1895 imperial retreat rises along the forested banks of the Mtkvari River in Borjomi’s Likani settlement. Designed by master architect Leon Benois, the palace synthesizes Moorish flourishes with Swiss chalet aesthetics, presenting deep-set arched loggias, asymmetric towers, and carved wooden eaves. Within its two-story footprint lie salons once frequented by both tsarist nobility and later Joseph Stalin, housing eccentric treasures such as a billiard table carved with imperial double-headed eagles, an inlaid double-sided mirror presented by the Shah of Iran, and display cases honoring the grand duke’s passion for entomology. Approaching the estate, you are immediately met by the bracing, resinous aroma of centenarian firs and the constant murmur of glacial river waters echoing off the Lesser Caucasus foothills. Pacing the perimeter trails reveals the pale masonry and wrought-iron balconies shifting in the dappled mountain light, conjuring the aristocratic quietude of the late nineteenth century. Though interior preservation projects occasionally seal the grand doors, standing upon the terrace offers an evocative glimpse into an imperial era abruptly suspended in time, marooned deep within Georgia’s mineral-rich wilderness.