While Batumi may present itself as a modern resort town today, its history stretches back nearly three millennia, intertwined with the legacies of ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and even Britain. Over the centuries, Batumi has served as a crucial port on the Black Sea, highly sought after for its strategic significance. Visitors can delve into Batumi’s fascinating history at several local museums, including the Batumi Archaeological Museum, the Ajara State Museum, and the Nobel Brothers Museum, each providing unique insights into different eras of this vibrant Georgian port’s past.
The earliest known settlement in the Batumi region dates back to the 8th-7th centuries BC, located approximately three kilometers northeast of the current city along the banks of the Korolistskali River. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants of this settlement, along with various artifacts that highlight the influence of ancient Greek culture on the area. The name Batumi itself is derived from the ancient Greek “bathus limen,” which translates to “deep harbor.”
By the 2nd century AD, a temporary Roman fortification was established near the settlement, and even earlier, another Roman fortress known as Gonio was constructed about 10 kilometers south of Batumi. In the 6th century, following the decline of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire erected the fortress of Petra, situated 15 kilometers north of Batumi. After its completion, Petra was briefly seized by Persian forces before being reclaimed by the Byzantines, who ultimately destroyed the fortress to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
During this period, Batumi relocated to its current site and developed into a small port city. Following the Byzantine-Persian wars, Batumi vanished from historical records for nearly a millennium, existing quietly as a link between central Georgia and the Black Sea states. Throughout this time, the city was referred to by various names, including Vati, Vachi, and Bendian.
As the 15th century approached, the nascent Ottoman Empire began to rise while Georgia faced internal fragmentation, partially influenced by Ottoman expansion. In 1453, the Turkish sultan captured Constantinople (now Istanbul), leaving Georgia surrounded by Muslim nations. A few years later, Batumi endured an unsuccessful siege but managed to withstand the attack.
In 1545, the Battle of Sokhoista took place between Ottoman and Georgian forces, resulting in a devastating defeat for the Georgian princes and leading to Batumi falling under Ottoman rule. Although Georgian leaders briefly reclaimed the city in 1564 and 1606, they were unable to maintain control due to a naval blockade and were forced to retreat. Consequently, Batumi remained under Turkish dominion for three centuries, during which time the city underwent significant Islamization and was renamed Batum.
By the early 19th century, Batumi had transformed into one of many Ottoman ports along the Black Sea, with a population of approximately 2,000 residents. Historical records indicate that the port was a hub for transporting slaves from the Caucasus to Constantinople.
During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829, Russian General Osten-Saken attempted to capture Batumi but was unsuccessful. The Turks fortified their positions, stripped local Georgians of power, and established Batumi as the administrative center of the region, constructing a new fortress. The population swelled to 5,000, trade flourished, and consulates from Russia, Persia, and Italy were established. These developments drew increased attention from the Russian Empire, which sought to assert control over Batumi.
In the last Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Ottoman Empire further fortified Batumi, and Russian attempts to seize the port repeatedly failed. It was only after the complete defeat of the Ottoman Empire that Batumi and its surrounding territories were ceded to Russia under the Treaty of San Stefano. On August 25, 1878, the Russian army entered Batumi, and the Turks ceremoniously handed over the keys to the city. Under the peace treaty, Batumi was designated as a “porto franco,” a free port exempt from duties.
Thanks to free trade and substantial Russian investments, Batumi began to thrive. In 1880, Russian botanist and geographer A. Krasnov established the renowned Batumi Botanical Garden. By 1883, the Baku-Tbilisi-Batumi railway reached the city, facilitating the transport of oil from Azerbaijan to the Black Sea. In 1888, Batumi was officially granted city status, leading to the establishment of churches and educational institutions. By the early 20th century, the population had surged to 16,000, with 1,000 individuals employed in the oil refining industry. The city was home to 16 consulates from various European nations, as well as the USA and Japan.
The First World War had little impact on Batumi, but following the collapse of the Russian Empire at the war’s conclusion, the city and Georgia as a whole became a battleground for competing powers. The Ottoman Empire sought to regain control over the territory it had lost half a century earlier. In the wake of the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, the Ottoman Empire invaded Georgia. In March 1918, a peace treaty transferred Batumi into Turkish hands. However, the Transcaucasian Democratic Federal Republic briefly intervened before World War I concluded, leading to British control over the Batumi district in 1919. Local Georgians pushed for reunification with the rest of Georgia, a movement supported by Russia. Yet, in February 1920, the Red Army invaded Georgia, incorporating it into the USSR. Between 1917 and 1921, Batumi experienced a tumultuous period marked by four shifts in power.
On July 16, 1921, Batumi was designated as the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, a part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. It retained this status until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Throughout the 20th century, Batumi evolved into a popular resort destination in the southern Soviet Union, with recreational areas, children’s summer camps, and extensive infrastructure developed in the city and along its picturesque beaches.
Following Georgia’s independence in 1991, Adjara maintained its status as an autonomous region, becoming a semi-independent republic within the nation. From 1991 until 2004, the region was governed by Aslan Abashidze, who fostered friendly relations with Russia. A Russian military base remained in Batumi until 2007.
Entering the 21st century, Batumi attracted significant international investment, transforming it into a modern resort city. New hotels, parks, squares, and monuments emerged, revitalizing the urban landscape. In 2010, the iconic monument “Ali and Nino” was unveiled, quickly becoming a symbol of Batumi. Today, Batumi continues to develop, with new hotel complexes and a high-speed highway under construction to reduce travel time to Tbilisi, ensuring that this historic port city remains a vibrant destination for both locals and tourists alike.