Abastumani is a resort that became known among tuberculosis and lung disease patients after these lands were reclaimed from the Ottoman Empire in the first third of the 19th century. It is located in the gorge of the Abastumanka River (now Otskhe) at an altitude of 1200-1450 meters. The microclimate of the resort is characterized by mild summers and particularly fresh and healing air. Mineral waters were discovered in Abastumani, and a hospital and a building for mineral baths were constructed. The resort began to thrive in the mid-19th century under the Caucasian viceroy Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich. At the end of the century, the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Georgy Alexandrovich (1871-1899), the younger brother of Emperor Nicholas II, lived here.

From a young age, Georgy showed the first signs of tuberculosis. By the age of 22, his health had deteriorated so much that he could not attend the funeral of his father, Emperor Alexander III, in St. Petersburg in 1894. After his condition worsened in Nice and Morocco, as well as during a sea voyage to Japan, he chose the Abastumani resort as his residence. The Tsarevich lived here from 1891 to 1899. He was visited by Maria Feodorovna, who was fond of him, and other members of the imperial family.

Among the guests were other notable figures: Vasily Osipovich Klyuchevsky gave lectures on history to the Tsarevich, while Professor Sergey Pavlovich von Glazenap from St. Petersburg University oversaw the construction of an astronomical observatory funded by the heir. The clear air of Abastumani allowed for star observation, which greatly fascinated Georgy. His life here was secluded and not very joyful, but it was enlivened by the visits of royal relatives. In the early years of his stay in Abastumani, his 'small court' was visited by Georgian and Russian aristocrats. However, receptions, picnics, and mountain trips did not contribute to the improvement of his health.

The Tsarevich left a good memory of himself in Abastumani. He loved Georgia and appreciated Georgian church architecture. At his initiative and expense, the Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky was built in Abastumani in 1898-1899. The project, executed in the spirit of Georgian church architecture, was developed by architect Otto Simanson, who was actively building in Tbilisi and other parts of Georgia. The prototype of the church in Abastumani was the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zarzma, which is why it was sometimes referred to as New Zarzma.