Georgia’s closest place to the stars
Abastumani, a tiny town with 937 inhabitants, is Georgia’s closest place to the stars. Located in the country’s south-east in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, it has the clearest sky and is home to the Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The story of the observatory began from this small tower. It was built by famous Russian astronomer Sergey Glazenap for the telescope in 1892. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Glazenap moved to Abastumani following the Grand Duke of Russia Giorgi Romanov, brother of the last Russian Emperor, Nikolas II. This is how the former royal park looks now. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Giorgi Romanov had tuberculosis, and the climate of Abastumani was famous for its healing properties for patients with lung problems and was thus perfect for him. This palace was built for the Grand Duke in 1891. He spent eight years here until his sudden death at the age of 28. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Now the former Romanov’s royal residence is divided into two parts. In this palace built in 1893 there is now a convent. Nuns live here since 2004. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
A strong fire broke out in the building in 2008 and destroyed most of the edifice. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Remains of the royal fireplace. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
This fresco was painted by the famous Russian painter Mikhail Nesterov. The "New Zarzma" church of St. Alexander Nevsky was built also by the order of Giorgi Romanov between 1899 and 1902. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The children choir sings in New Zarzma church during the Easter celebration in April 2018. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
A nun paints an icon at the Abastumani convent. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Of course the presence of the Russian Royal family forced the development of Abastumani. It was prestigious to spend vacation there and a lot of beautiful summer houses were built in the area. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
This building is also part of the Romanov residence. In the Soviet era it was a health centre and hotel, now it is private property. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Spring in the park of the royal residence. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory was found in Abastumani in 1932. For years it was the only mountain observatory in the Soviet Union. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
As the area has the clearest air, there are no winds, and the clouds are out of the sky for most of time, the conditions for observing stars are ideal. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The results of the first astronomical observations were published by Sergey Glazenap at the end of 19 century and American astronomer Sherburne Burnham was surprised by the perfect conditions for the observation. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
“Abastumani is the perfect place for astronomic work. It is obviously seen from the results, that no other observatory in Europe has such a great location except the observatory at Hamilton Mountain, where atmospheric conditions are also perfect,” wrote Sherburne Burnham in 1893. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Soviet era mosaic picture on the building in Abastumani. This place is 260 kilometers away from the capital Tbilisi. Include it in your travel list if you plan to visit Georgia and move yourself closer to the stars. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge