About Sights – The Mtkvari River
The 1,515 km (941 mi) long Mtkvari River (Georgian: მტკვარი) originates in Turkey (where it is called “Kura”) and flows through the broad valley between the Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus mountains and down into the Caspian Sea. The Georgian name “Mtkvari” means “good water”, and in Megrelian – “the river, that eats mountains”. About 174 kilometers (108 mi) … Continue reading
About Sights – Kvareli Gvirabi
Kvareli Gvirabi, near Kvareli (Georgian: ყვარელი) in Khaketi region, is Georgia’s largest wine cellar – 7.7 km of tunnels and galleries that maintain a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees C and 70% relative humidity all year round – perfect storage conditions for wine. Originally built for military purposes during the Cold War, the tunnels (gvirabi) … Continue reading
About Sights – The Green Lake
The beautiful Green Lake (Georgian: მწვანე ტბა) is located in the northern part of the Arsiani Range near Beshumi (Georgian: ბეშუმი) in Georgia’s Ajara region. Situated between mountains this beautiful lake is surrounded by spruce and beech trees. The clear and transparent water is slightly mineralized. How to get there? The lake is a 2 … Continue reading
About Sights – Batumi Archaeological Museum
Over 28,000 items from the Bronze Age through to Medieval times are stored at the Batumi Archaeological Museum (ბათუმის არქეოლოგიური მუზეუმი). Opened in 1994, the museum introduces visitors to the ancient history and culture of Georgia’s Ajara region. The museum’s principal collection consists of artifacts excavated at Pichvnari (Georgian: ფიჭვნარი) by the joint archaeological expedition of the Batumi Archaeological Museum and … Continue reading
About Sights – The Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum
The Nobel Brothers Batumi Technological Museum is housed in the old “Batumi Office” of the Nobel brothers’ Branobel oil company, which was converted into a museum in 2007. The museum highlights the technological achievements introduced to Batumi at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. In the early 1900s, the Nobel brothers … Continue reading
About Sights – Khevsureti Ethnographic Museum
The Khevsureti Ethnographic Museum is situated in a restored fortified tower in the village of Korsha, 2 km past the village of Barisakho in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. Although small, the museum contains unique displays of Khevsur life, armour, weapons, clothing, domestic and agricultural implements and photographs. Khevsureti (Georgian: ხევსურეთი, a land of valleys) is one of … Continue reading
About Sights – Khikhani Fortress
Khikhani Fortress (ხიხანის ციხესიმაგრე) in Khulo district of Ajara was built in the 13th century A.D. Inaccessible from three sides, the fortress occupied a strategic position and retained its military function for 700 years. It is believed that the site was originally occupied by a church (the Church of St. George) built in 1230 A.D. … Continue reading
About Sights – Nokalakevi Fortress
Nokalakevi (Georgian: ნოქალაქევი) is an archaeological site consisting of the remains of 4-6th century A.D fortress in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia. Occupying some 20 ha, the site was known to early Byzantine historians as Archaeopolis, and to Georgian chroniclers as Tsikhegoji (“Fortress of Kuji”). Occupying a strategic position in a loop of the Tekhuri River, … Continue reading
About Sights – Petra Fortress
Petra Fortress (Georgian: პეტრას ციხე) is located in the village of Tsikhisdziri in the Kobuleti district of Ajara. Built during the 6th century A.D., it held an important strategic position at the crossroads of the route linking Georgia with Iran and Armenia. The fortress is one of the most significant monuments on the entire eastern coast … Continue reading
About Sights – Gonio Fortress
Gonio fortress (Georgian: გონიოს ციხე) is a well preserved Roman fortification in Ajara, on the Black sea coast. Located on the left bank of the River Chorokhi the fortress is 12 km south of Batumi and just 4 km from the border with Turkey. The site is believed to hold the tomb of the Apostle Mathew … Continue reading
About Sights – Ferris Wheel on Batumi Boulevard
The Ferris wheel on Batumi Boulevard in Batumi (Georgian: ბათუმი) on Georgia’s Black Sea coast gives passengers a fantastic panoramic view of the beaches and the city. Situated close to the Alphabet Tower at one end of Seaside Park this large Ferris wheel is definitely worth a visit. Price is 3 GEL (August 2013) for a slow … Continue reading
About Sights – The Medieval Stone Bridges of Ajara
By the Middle Ages, Ajara (Georgian: აჭარა), in the south western part of Georgia, formed part of a strong feudal kingdom and many roads and stone bridges were built during this period. The beauty of Ajara’s medieval stone bridges makes them as significant as the mighty fortresses, monuments, and churches that are also spread around … Continue reading
About Sights – 19th Century Mosques in Ajara
Ajara (Georgian: აჭარა) is an autonomous republic of Georgia located in the southwestern corner of the country, bordered by Turkey to the south and the eastern end of the Black Sea. According to 2006 estimates by the Department of Statistics of Ajara, 30% of Ajara’s population are Muslim. Islam spread to Ajara as a consequence of the Ottoman Empire’s occupation … Continue reading
About Sights – Lake Tobavarchkhili
Lake Tobavarchkhili (Georgian: ტობავარჩხილის ტბა) is situated in the Egrisi mountain range, in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region (Georgian: სამეგრელო-ზემო სვანეთი). The lake is known as “Crystal Lake” because of its clear, transparent water. At an altitude of 2643m above sea level Tobavarchkhili is one of the most beautiful and remote natural monuments of Georgia. The lake was formed … Continue reading
About Sights – Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography
After a two year restoration, the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography (Georgian: სვანეთის ისტორიის და ეთნოგრაფიის მუზეუმი) re-opened its doors for visitors on July 1st 2013. The museum was established in 1936 and initially housed a small collection but in 1948 it benefited from an expedition to Svaneti, headed by the famous Georgian art historian Giorgi … Continue reading
About Sights – Nekresi Monastery
Nekresi Monastery (Georgian: ნეკრესის მონასტერში) is one of the largest monastery complexes in the Kakheti region of Georgia and was founded by St. Abibos Nekreseli, one of the famous thirteen Syrian fathers. Situated on top of a steep hill overlooking the Alazani valley, the complex contains various ecclesiastical buildings built at different times, including: the Blessed Virgin Church … Continue reading
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