Another State of Mind

Enig Hui / Malaysian / Travel / Underground / Architecture / Street / IG: @enighui @enighuitravel

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Tbilisi Streets

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Tbilisi Railway Station

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Tbilisi Soviet buildings

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Tbilisi heritage buildings

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》

Tskaltubo Spa Resort (Last Post) Legends Tskaltubo Spa Resort is the only functioning hotel, formerly used by the Soviet Union Ministry of Defence This massive properties has two identical wings connected with central concert hall and restaurant. Interestingly the left wing is restored as hotel, whereas the right wing is still in abandoned state. So you can really see the contrasts of the buildings. Of course, i wouldn’t miss out the oppotunity to stay in an old glamour Tskaltubo sanatorium. One of the perks of staying as guest is get a free tour to the well maintained concert hall, Stallin suite in the abandoned wing. I even went detour from the group to explore different floors of the abandoned wings. My favourite part of the resort is the beautiful glass house atrium pathway, one could imagine how glorious the Tskaltubo tourism in old days.

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》 - Tskaltubo railway station

The railway station was built in 1955, connecting to Moscow. Currently in disrepair state. At the time of my visit, there was a local wedding celebration/photoshoot held at the station. The kids were happy/curious bout me!

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》 -

Bathhouse No.8 Bathhouse No 8 (public spa) is iconic because of the UFO-shaped round curved roof structure. The clusters of bathing ‘pods’ are in circular form, surronding the central fountain, like a petal. Each section divided by mosaic walls (mosaic gone). Bathhouse No.6 is the only bathhouse in use from that era, well maintained to receive guests.

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》

Imerati Sanatorim Imerati, it took 11 years to finish building this huge stalinnist architecture. The building was divided into center complex, left and right wings with massive garden yard in between. On the far-left wing, there was an impressive circular auditorium with beautiful dome supported by arched columns. Imerati was in very poor condition. Some of the wooden floors /ceilings have completely collapsed.

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UrbEx Tskaltubo Series

Sanatorium Tbilisi was built in 1950s. The symmetrical curvy façade is guarded by two griffin at frontyard. The center entrance leads to the small square courtyard with a fountain. The buiding was heavily occupied by the IDP during my visit. They were friendly but i didn’t feel the need to venture more of the properties. Currently Sanatorium Tbilisi is undergoing renovation by investors, all the IDP has moved out.

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》 - Iveria

Sanatorium Iveria, built in 1962. It was my first taste of Tskaltubo which i accidentaly stumpled upon on the way to Prometheus cave in 2018 visit. The grand circular opening at the central lobby left such a wow impression to me. Ever since then, i did my research on this special town and wanted to return for more on next trip. Four years later, the condition of Iveria was further deteriorated with more graffiti and damage. The property was sold to investor, currently (according online source) it is no longer accessible with fenced off. It is to be demolished for new building

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》 - Sanatorium Shakhtiori

Sanatorium Shakhtiori, completed in 1952 for 350 guests. The building is grand size and fenced off with guard (privately owned). By paying little fees, the guard gave us a quick tour (running around the whole complex within 8 mins).

The most interesting part of the complex is the concert hall, with the red curtains and peeled off plaster/wallpaper.

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo》 - Sanatorium Metalurgist

Sanatorium Metalurgist, was the retreat place for the soviet iron/steel workers built in 1957. It has the most intact and impressive chandelier in the main circular lobby. The decay walls and the glass window atrium were my fav. It was still occupied by IDP during 2022 visit

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《UrbEx Tskaltubo Series》 - Sanatorium Medea

In the next few weeks, i would like to share series of abandoned sanatoriums in Tskaltubo, the soviet spa town of Georgia. Tskaltubo was famous with the medical treatment using the town healing mineral water at the bath houses/ wellness centres. In its heydays (50s-80s), there were 22 ‘Soviet neoclassicist’ sanatoriums/hotels to accommodate guests from across the USSR for their state-mandated R&R.

Joseph Stalin was one of the VVIP, with even direct trains to Tskaltubo from Moscow (now Tskaltubo railway was abandoned too).

At the fall of the Soviet Union in late 1991, the Tskaltubo’s spa industry collapsed as well. Most of the hotels and resorts closed their doors.

During the 1992/1993 Georgia-Abkhazia conflict, over 9000 of refuges (IDP) arrived Tskaltubo, occupied some of these abandoned properties.

It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement but decades later, these makeshift apartments have become their permanent homes. In 2022-2024, some of these IDP finally relocated to new living complexes as some old sanatoriums sold to new investors.

The first Sanatorium i visited from my 2022 trip was Sanatorium Medea. As we approaching the driveway, greeted by the most impressive facade with the spectacular collumns and curves arches.

It was built between 1954-1962 (326 beds), now a popular spot for wedding photoshoot and some tourists.

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Munich Underground Series

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Nuremberg U

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Braga, Portugal

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Viana Do Castelo