What looks like a Greek set piece on a world tour is in fact part of a charmingly playful urban ensemble that cares little about originality but much about impact. The white columns rise in two semi-arches, between which stand figures like those from a plaster figurine catalog – some heroic, some athletic, some holding an airplane. The entire scene is so clean that you briefly wonder if it is simply taken down and re-erected at night.
In the evening, the colonnade is effectively illuminated, making it particularly interesting for strolls after dark. During the day, the view is also worth it for the contrast: to the left, the park with its café, Ferris wheel, and pedal boat lake; to the right, the nearby high-rise buildings suggest Batumi's new beginnings.
The park itself was established in 1881, formerly under the name "Aleksandrowski", and today is a kind of miniature spa park with a Caucasus flair: there is a small zoo (not necessarily a highlight, but exciting for children), play areas, shade benches and - for fans - a history of post-Soviet renaming, as the park only bore its current name in 2004.