Why go
Tskaltubo's radon springs drew thousands to its grand sanatoriums during the Soviet era, when workers received state vouchers for balneotherapy in mineral-rich baths. The mildly radioactive water, between 33-37°C, was prescribed for arthritis, skin conditions, and nervous system disorders. Today, abandoned neoclassical spa buildings crumble among operational bathhouses where locals still immerse themselves in the same healing waters—nowhere else can you swim through layers of Soviet medical history while the water does its work.