Historical Zugdidi Botanical Garden undergoing major renovation
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Visitors of western Georgia’s Samegrelo province will soon be hosted at a renovated Zugdidi Botanical Garden, boasting rich history and a "unique” collection of flora.
The park is undergoing a major renovation project worth nearly 10 million GEL (about 4 million USD/3.3 million EUR*) and supported by the World Bank.
The botanical garden traces its roots back to the mid-1800s.
An artificial lake in the park will be restored within the effort. Photo: Cultural Heritage Agency press office.
Launched by the local government, the project is based on an initiative by the Georgian Museums Association and involves work by international experts of historical parks.
The project involves renovating existing facilities and building new ones.
The new administrative building will be equipped with an exhibition hall and conference space, while a new cafe will serve visitors. The park’s artificial lake will also be restored.
The collection of plants will also be enhanced with new additions, while a farm will be set up for research and agriculture purposes.
Beside its natural attractions, the park is of historical significance, with preliminary archaeological work finding ancient artefacts.
A project rendering of the renovation project for the botanical garden. Photo: Cultural Heritage Agency press office.
Remains of historical constructions will be preserved to offer additional interest to visitors, who travel to see plants of "unique origin” in the garden, said the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia on Wednesday.
Established in the 19th century as a decorative garden for the residence of local Dadiani nobility, the park featured around 80 types of trees, bushes and smaller plants including a cedar native to the western Himalayas, types of poplar and magnolia.
Destroyed by the invading Ottoman armies in 1855, the park was restored starting in 1869, with exotic plants imported from abroad.
Organisers behind the renovation project expect the work to finish in 18 months. It will be followed by an effort from the Cultural Heritage Agency to list the renovated garden in the European network of historical parks.
* Currency rates according to today's National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.
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