The Borjomi resort in Georgia is known far beyond the country's borders, but few of our contemporaries know that its popularity began in the 19th century thanks to the representatives of the Romanov House. Russian emperors and their families always had a special affection for the Caucasus, especially for Orthodox Georgia. Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich, who grew up in the family of the Viceroy of the Caucasus, also fell in love with this sunny land.

In 1892, at the initiative of Nikolai Mikhailovich and with his funds, the construction of a palace in Likani began, which soon became known as the "Borjomi Palace" due to its proximity to the famous Borjomi resort. The construction progressed quickly, and by 1895 the palace was ready to welcome its owner. The estate covered a vast area of 69,513 desyatins, which is approximately equal to 70 thousand hectares. The Grand Duke was enchanted by his palace and ordered it to be equipped with electric lighting, for which a hydroelectric power station was built. This event marked an important milestone in the development of science in the Russian Empire, as this hydroelectric power station was the first in the country.

The construction of the palace, designed by architect Leonty Benois, coincided with the deterioration of the health of Grand Duke Georgy Alexandrovich, the middle son of Emperor Alexander III, who was forced to live in the Caucasus due to tuberculosis. The young prince often visited his uncle's palace and loved spending time there. Once, the famous Russian photographer Prokudin-Gorsky came to Likani, where he took one of the first color photographs in history. Thanks to his unique work, we can see what the palace looked like at that time.

After the Bolsheviks came to power, the palace was confiscated and used for the residence of general secretaries. In modern Georgia, it serves as a summer residence for the country's presidents.