Villa Firuze (also called Palace Firuze) is one of the more extraordinary buildings on the Georgian side of the Caucasus — a late-19th century fantasy mixing Persian arched colonnades, Moorish tilework, and European baroque ornamentation into something that should not work but somehow does. It was built for a wealthy Azerbaijani merchant and takes its name from the Persian word for turquoise, which describes the colour of its distinctive tile-covered facade.
The villa sits in the upper part of Borjomi town, partially obscured by mature trees. It has had various uses since Soviet times and restoration work is ongoing. Even viewed from the outside it is worth seeking out — the facade is unlike anything else in the region and speaks to the wealth and cultural eclecticism of the Caucasian merchant class at its peak.