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Borjomi-Kharagauli, surrounded by the magical atmosphere of the Lower Caucasus, is the most visited Park in Georgia and has a large number of recreational activities on offer.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is in the centre of the country and it constitutes 1% of the territory of Georgia. The forested area has retained its natural state and there are a number of animal species, such as the Bezoar Goat, which were quite numerous in the past, then completely disappeared here. Today, they are being reintroduced in these mountainous places, in a system of semi-captivity.
Borjomi-Kharagauli, surrounded by the magical atmosphere of the Lower Caucasus, is the most visited Park in Georgia and has a large number of recreational activities on offer.
Interview with the Ranger from Borjomi National Park...
“Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is the largest in Europe. Since 2006 Borjomi–Kharagauli National Park has been a member of PAN Parks. The number of tourists to the National Park is increasing every year; they come for horse riding, as well as for hiking and study tours. The infrastructure of the park means that we can organize horse riding tours of different durations. Within the park there are shelters where tourists can stay overnight.”
This 76,000 hectare Park has an abundance of attractions. It is also immensely enjoyable to visit the nearby villages, which alongside medieval relics and local handicrafts, are home to incredibly dynamic people, even if they are 120 years old like Ekatherine, this lady who was born in 1890.
Caucasians live quite a long time, thanks to their physical strength. But besides this they have a natural aid that most probably helps them increase their life-span; “matsoni”, a thick yoghurt that contains two very healthy lactobacilli also used in home-made cheese. This isn’t surprising, given that early in the 20th century, the Nobel prize-winning Russian microbiologist Metchnikoff demonstrated that regular consumption of yoghurt was the cause of longevity in some central European towns.
In 1830, it was rumoured that springs from the Borjomi-Kharagauli Nature Reserve contained healing properties, and 60 years later, the first bottling plant of the now world-famous Borjomi water, was created. It is unique because of its naturally mineralized hydro carbonated sodium and therapeutic qualities. Although the original fountain still works, barely a trace remains of the luxury that characterized this place when it was the summer residence of the Russian Imperial family, the Romanovs.