Boy with a Pipe (House of the Pharmacist)

At the bustling intersection of Abashidze Avenue and Gamsakhurdia Street stands the former "House of Apothecary Pharmacist Akinyan", a building known throughout the city by its most famous detail. This is neither a tower nor a spire, but an elegant sculpture of a boy nestled cozy in one of the dormer windows. The figure of the young musician with a pipe became so popular that its name became the unofficial moniker of the entire building.

The building, constructed in 1913, is a splendid example of Art Nouveau architecture. The main emphasis is placed on the corner facade facing the intersection. Right here, in a dormer window just beneath the roof, sits the sculpture. A beautiful city legend is associated with it, stating that when a strong wind blows from the sea, passing through special apertures in the structure, it creates a drawn-out sound resembling the melody of a pipe or even an Armenian duduk.

As its historic name suggests, the house was built for the apothecary pharmacist Akinyan, who commissioned the sculpture in Germany. The building’s lavish decoration and unique detail reflected the high status of its owner in the thriving port city. His pharmacy was situated on the ground floor, while residential apartments occupied the upper floors.

Today it is "Boy with a Pipe" that has become the unspoken symbol of Batumi's creative and romantic soul. Thanks to it, the former apothecary house transformed from simply a beautiful building into a genuine talisman of the city. Life continues to hum on the ground floor: shops are located here, while the upper floors remain residential, preserving the spirit of old Batumi, over which the silent melody of the stone musician endlessly resonates.