Europe Square is Batumi's formal living room: European-style facades, an astronomical clock on a former bank and a column with the statue of Medea raising the Golden Fleece above the city. By day people pose by the fountain, in the evening street musicians take over, and a few times a year the square turns into an open-air concert hall. Here is what the Argonauts have to do with it, why the square changed its name and what to see within a five-minute walk.
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Why Europe Square Is Worth Your Time
This is the main city square of Batumi and the most photographed spot in the center after the seafront. It is framed by ornate buildings in the spirit of European architecture from the turn of the 20th century; some are original, some were completed in the 2000s, and together they form a stage set that gets the square compared to the central plazas of European capitals. Entry is free at any hour, it is an open public space.
The square lives on the city's rhythm: in the morning it is empty and you hear only the fountain and the pigeons, after sunset the lights come on and street musicians appear. In winter the main Christmas tree of Adjara stands here, in summer the square hosts concerts and festivals with room for several thousand people.
The square is consistently included in the top twenty places in Batumi.
History: From Era Square to Europe Square
Older locals still remember this place as Era Square. The square took its current name in the 2000s to mark Adjara joining the Assembly of European Regions: the city wrote its European course into the name of its main square. Around the same time came the reconstruction that defined today's look: restored facades, cobblestones, the fountain and the Medea column at the center.
The Medea Statue and the Golden Fleece
The column with the statue of Medea is the square's focal point. Sculptor Davit Khmaladze placed the bronze princess of Colchis on top with a gilded fleece in her raised hand; the monument was unveiled in 2007. The choice of heroine is no accident: in the myth of the Argonauts it was Medea who helped Jason take the Golden Fleece, and Colchis, where the Argo sailed, lay in what is now western Georgia.
For Batumi, Medea is more than a mythological character: she is a reminder that these shores belonged to the ancient world thousands of years before the resort towers. Guides like to add that Medea was famed as a healer and that the word "medicine" is sometimes traced to her name, though linguists treat that version with skepticism.
The Astronomical Clock and the Architecture
The other must-photograph detail is the astronomical clock on the facade of the former National Bank building. Besides the time it shows the phases of the Moon and the position of the Sun above the horizon; after dark the dial glows gold. Clocks like this are rare anywhere, and Batumi's is a reason to crane your neck even if architecture leaves you cold.
The buildings around the square read like a textbook of eclecticism: columns, stucco, mansard roofs, wrought-iron balconies. Telling the century-old houses from the 2000s stylizations is not easy, and that is part of the charm: the square was built as a single stage set where old and new have come to terms.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Europe Square lies in the very center of Batumi, between the old town and the seafront. Every walking route seems to lead here: Piazza Square is two minutes away, the seaside boulevard and the Ali and Nino statue are a 10-15 minute stroll. City buses stop on the neighboring Chavchavadze and Memed Abashidze streets, but in the center it is easier to navigate on foot than by transport.
The square features in nearly every Travel Batumi city route: the best way to see it is together with the old quarters on the walking tour of Old Batumi, where the stories of facades and courtyards add up to a portrait of the city. Individual walk options are collected on the excursions to Europe Square page.
What to See Nearby
- Piazza Square two minutes away: an Italian courtyard with mosaics, stained glass and live music in the evening. More on the Piazza Square in Batumi page.
- The old town with its bakeries, small shops and the eclectic facades of Memed Abashidze street.
- The Drama Theater and the Neptune fountain on Theater Square, five minutes on foot.
- The seafront with the moving Ali and Nino statue, Miracle Park and the Ferris wheel a quarter of an hour's walk away.
Tips for Visiting
- The best light for photos is the hour before sunset: the sun warms the facades and the crowds are still thin. For an empty square, come before nine in the morning.
- Return after dark: the lighting changes the square more than any filter could.
- Try the coffee houses in the buildings along the perimeter: the tables face straight onto the square, the best seats for people-watching.
- If you want to stay within walking distance of the square and the old town, central hotels are easy to find on Booking.com, most take bookings without prepayment.
- For navigation and sharing photos you will want data: you can set up a Georgia eSIM via Airalo before you even fly, no hunting for a local SIM card.
The square is handsome on its own, but its stories live in the details: Travel Batumi guides, born-and-raised locals, point out the dates, crests and traces of old Batumi hidden on the facades. If you are planning a full day in the city, start with the what to see in Batumi in 1 day guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Europe Square?
Nothing: it is an open public space, accessible around the clock. The only things to pay for are coffee in the cafes along the perimeter or souvenirs.
Why is it called Europe Square?
The name was fixed in the 2000s to mark Adjara joining the Assembly of European Regions. Before that the place was called Era Square, and locals still use the old name.
What does the Medea statue symbolize?
Georgia's link to the ancient myth of the Argonauts: Medea, princess of Colchis, helped Jason take the Golden Fleece, and Colchis lay in the west of today's Georgia. The fleece in her hand is gilded and visible from any point on the square.
When are concerts held on the square?
Mostly in summer and over the New Year holidays: the square holds several thousand people, and in winter Adjara's main Christmas tree stands here. Check the posters locally, there is no fixed schedule.
How much time should I plan for a visit?
20-30 minutes is enough for the square itself: a lap around it, a look at the clock and the statue, photos. Combined with Piazza Square, the old town and a coffee break it makes a pleasant half-day walk.
Europe Square is where Batumi shows its European side without ceasing to be Georgian. Come twice, by day and after sunset, and if you want the facades to tell their stories rather than just pose for photos, book a walk with a local guide in advance, the nearest dates go quickly in season.