Presidential Palace (Varkana)

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Presidential Palace
პრეზიდენტის სასახლეში
prezidentis sasakhleshi
General information
Location Varkana Klow, Varkana
Address 58, Tamaz Chiladze Blvd., 13007 Klow, Varkana
Current tenants Varkana President of Varkana
(1873–)
Construction started 1854
Completed 1873
Technical details
Floor count 4
Design and construction
Owner Government of Varkana

The Presidential Palace (Kartvelian: პრეზიდენტის სასახლეში, prezidentis sasakhleshi) is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Varkana, located in the 1st District of Klow. The heavily guarded palace and grounds are situated atop the Old Port, and the building's interior were renovated several times during the successive presidencies, most notably after each new Republic.

Flanked by two lateral wings forming a screen against strong winds, the building structure is more similar to the architecture of a resort than a presidential residence. The Palace holds a monumental design with an attic floor, whereas only stone was used for its construction.

References to classical architecture are numerous. The Presidential Palace has pierced facades by arched windows on the ground floor and arched windows decorated with garlands in the other floors. In the tympanum of the pediment, you can see the presidential symbol. The Palace also has a garden of 5.7 hectares.

Layout and amenities[edit | edit source]

Lecture Hall

Underground[edit | edit source]

The underground houses the offices for security, the palace's archives, two video conference rooms, the presidential briefing room, the situation room. It is also home to the press corps offices, the exhibition room, where all official presidential portraits are shown including Jugashvili's, the Lecture Hall, an auditorium with a 900 seats capacity, and the Hall 1000, a modern large hall with access to the terrace with a stunning view on the Old Port, usually the location of large banquets and balls. The Hall 1000 has a dedicated kitchen and delivery area.

Ground Floor[edit | edit source]

The ground floor consists of the main reception and conference rooms, access control and security, waiting area and working offices. The lobby is used frequently for temporary exhibitions on themes related to the presidency's programs. Also located on the ground floor is a presidential dining room, where the presidency's employees often eat lunch together. Unique in Adonia, the ground floor also houses an office for a spin doctor.

First Floor[edit | edit source]

The first floor is the residential part of the palace, with the presidential apartment consisting of the presidential bedroom, the children bedroom in case the president has any, a workout room, two guest bedrooms (Queen's bedroom and the South Bedroom) and other private rooms including a living room, kitchen, library and family dining room. There are additionally two simple guest bedrooms for the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Second Floor[edit | edit source]

The second floor houses the state rooms used by the presidency for official receptions. It is made up of the State Dining Room, two sitting rooms, a gaming room with a pool table, the Official Guest's Bedroom, the Linen Room, Cedar Room, and Music Room. The State Dining Room is the largest of the above ground floors with 250 seats. It is used for receptions, luncheons, and larger formal dinners called state dinners for visiting heads of state on state visits.

Plan of the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Varkana
Underground
 
Ground Floor
 
First Floor
 
Second Floor
 

Public access and security[edit | edit source]

The Presidential Palace was, from the start, open to the public until the early part of the 20th century under the presidency of Levan Gotua. Fearing assassination attempts and the upcoming global war, Gotua completely closed the access to the Presidential Palace and increased the number of guards on its grounds. Today, only the main grounds and the underground are opened to the public, and of that part of the building, only the Exhibition Hall, Lecture Hall, Press Corps Offices, Hall 1000 and the Terrace are open. The rest of the palace is extremely well guarded by the Varkan military and a restricted access zone.