The Batumi Archaeological Museum stands as the oldest museum in Georgia and is often regarded as the finest in the country. It houses a rich and diverse collection of artifacts unearthed from archaeological excavations across various regions of Adjara, dating from ten thousand years ago (Bronze Age) to the 5th and 6th centuries (Late Middle Ages). This cultural landmark in Batumi attracts both locals and tourists, particularly those with a keen interest in the history of Georgia and Adjara, as well as archaeology. Information about the exhibits is available in three languages: Georgian, Russian, and English.
Regular events, including meetings, exhibitions, and educational programs for children, are held at the Batumi Archaeological Museum. The museum operates six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, with Mondays reserved for rest. A souvenir shop is also available on-site, where visitors can purchase replicas of intriguing artifacts, such as ancient jewelry, amphorae, and jugs.
The museum’s collection, which comprises archaeological finds from throughout Adjara (with a significant portion sourced from the Gonio-Apsaros Fortress excavations), has been curated and expanded for over a century. However, it remained largely inaccessible to the general public until its official opening in 1994, following the completion of the exhibition design.
Nestled in a charming two-story mansion made of gray stone on Batumi’s central street, Chavchavadze, the museum showcases unique and ancient artifacts, including Roman statues, Greek rings and amphorae, and various vessels made from materials ranging from clay to gold, representing different historical periods. The museum’s holdings comprise approximately 23,000 exhibits.
In 2014, the museum underwent renovations, during which its exhibition space was slightly expanded. A special exhibition called the “Golden Fund” was introduced, featuring a selection of gold items from Adjara, including coins, jewelry, and other golden artifacts. Additionally, a ceramics workshop was established within the museum grounds.
Beyond the exhibition halls, the Batumi Archaeological Museum complex includes a restoration laboratory, where specialists work on the preservation of museum items, as well as a photographic archive and a scientific library that houses detailed information about all the museum’s exhibits.
The museum’s artifacts are organized chronologically across two halls, one of which features two levels. The oldest artifacts are displayed on the second floor of the main hall, prompting many visitors to recommend starting their exploration of the exhibits from this level.
The exhibits on the second level pertain to the Stone Age (specifically the Acheulean culture, representing the early Paleolithic) and the Iron Age (the Colchian tribal culture). Among these items are stone scrapers, Colchian axes, and various forms of ancient weaponry, as well as collections of pottery and utensils, including a variety of clay jugs and amphorae. Notably, this level features items from the era of metallurgy, which are particularly interesting due to the discovery of some of the earliest mines and evidence of metalworking in the vicinity of Batumi. Many artifacts in this hall are over ten thousand years old.
The first floor of the museum is dedicated to collections representing the ancient period, as well as the Early and Late Middle Ages. The items displayed here were discovered during excavations at ancient and medieval fortresses in Adjara, including the ancient site of Pichvnari and the Gonio-Apsaros Fortress (first mentioned in the 1st century AD), as well as in the areas surrounding the settlements of Tsikhisdziri, Makho, and Kapandibi, along with Colchian (5th century BC), Greek (5th-4th centuries BC), and Hellenistic burial sites (4th-3rd centuries BC).
Among the exhibits on the first level of the Batumi Archaeological Museum are:
In a side hall on the first floor, the museum features the “Golden Fund,” showcasing an array of gold coins and jewelry, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. This collection highlights the exquisite craftsmanship and cultural significance of goldsmithing in the region.