Imereti's Capital
Imereti, with its fabulous landscapes, is a region of exceptional charm. Situated in the west of Georgia, bordered to the north and south by the Great Caucasus Mountains, the ancient Greeks called it Argos or Colchis – the Golden Fleece land. Its capital Kutaisi is the second-largest city in Georgia after Tbilisi and the capital of the Imereti region. Imereti and Kutaisi are rich. Rich in history, culture and nature.
There are monuments of different epochs of great importance. The wonders of Kutaisi, the sacred temples Gelati and Bagrati, the caves of Prometheus will take you to the labyrinths of History. The nature of Imereti is undoubtedly magical too. Its lush alpine meadows and fertile forest-covered valleys, wild rivers, spectacular canyons, and roaring waterfalls make this region a must for those seeking adventure. If you love ancient stories, myths and legends, then the discovery of Imereti and Kutaisi will fulfill all your dreams.
Incredible Charm
Kutaisi is a beautifully preserved concentration of Georgian architecture. With an incredible variety in the materials used, a great diversity in the buildings’ facades and architectural style. You will enjoy strolling around and admiring the different neighborhoods and the elegant tree-lined streets that extend to the Rioni River banks. Crossed by several attractive parks, Kutaisi is a beautiful place to walk. From the European quarter to the Jewish quarter, through its shady gardens along the river, the colorful houses in pure Georgian style, Kutaisi is unique and beautiful. In the Jewish district, several synagogues bear witness to the largest Georgian Jewish community’s long history.
The largest synagogue, built-in 1866, can accommodate 500 worshippers. The magnificent Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery – both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – bear witness to the region’s importance throughout its history. When the Georgian Parliament moved to Kutaisi in 2012, much work was done to restore the city’s streets, buildings, parks, and monuments. Kutaisi, quieter and more peaceful than Tbilisi, is an architectural jewel where life flows most pleasantly in its new setting.
Colchis Fountain
Kutaisi is a beautifully preserved concentration of Georgian architecture. With an incredible variety in the materials used, a great diversity in the buildings’ facades and architectural style. You will enjoy strolling around and admiring the different neighborhoods and the elegant tree-lined streets that extend to the Rioni River banks. Crossed by several attractive parks, Kutaisi is a beautiful place to walk. From the European quarter to the Jewish quarter, through its shady gardens along the river, the colorful houses in pure Georgian style, Kutaisi is unique and beautiful.
In the Jewish district, several synagogues bear witness to the largest Georgian Jewish community’s long history. The largest synagogue, built-in 1866, can accommodate 500 worshippers. The magnificent Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery – both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – bear witness to the region’s importance throughout its history. When the Georgian Parliament moved to Kutaisi in 2012, much work was done to restore the city’s streets, buildings, parks, and monuments. Kutaisi, quieter and more peaceful than Tbilisi, is an architectural jewel where life flows most pleasantly in its new setting.
Bagrati Cathedral
Bagrati Cathedral is located in the city of Kutaisi. A distinct landmark, the cathedral rests on the top of Ukimerioni hill. Completed during the reign of King Bagrat III. Bagrati Cathedral is an important monument of Georgian culture, both in terms of architectural solution and symbolic significance. Considered not only as a religious center of all times, it symbolizes the unity and strength of our country and the Georgian people. A masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture, the main entrance is decorated with a vaulted portico. The columns’ capitals are covered with stucco decorations, and the walls and floors are finished in mosaic.
The decorations and bas-reliefs of the church can be compared to jewelers’ work in terms of artistic precision. The inscription near the north window of the building is the oldest example of Arabic numerals in Georgia. It gives the church’s exact date of construction: “The church was built in 223”. If we transpose this date into the Christian calendar, the cathedral was completed in 1003. In 1692, it was devastated by the Ottomans, causing the collapse of the dome and the ceiling. In 1770, King Solomon I recaptured the fortress and liberated Bagrati Temple from the Ottomans. Today, the cathedral is completely restored. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery is a monastic complex located near Kutaisi. Founded by King David the Builder in 1106, he wanted it to be the spiritual center of the country and a great cultural and scientific center. De facto, the monastery has long been one of the main intellectual centers of Georgia. The Gelati Academy hosted the most famous and enlightened professors of the times, coming from the Manganda Academy of Constantinople. They taught science, theology, and philosophy. Because of the quality of its teaching and its remarkable library, the Gelati Academy quickly gained such a reputation that observers of the time called it “the new Hellas” or “the new Mount Athos”.
The Gelati Monastery possessed a rich collection of manuscripts and works of art, which are now preserved in the National Museum of Georgia. King David also gave instructions for the monastery to become the dynasty’s sepulcher. “The monastery will be erected for my burial and for my children’s crypt forever, and I will take eternal sorrow in staying there,” his will states. It is here that the greatest Georgian king is buried. Humble among the humble, he asked that his tomb be placed in such a place that his people, who had come to pay him a last tribute, could walk over his heart. The Gelati complex has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1994. The site was included in the World Monuments Watch 2008 list of the 100 most endangered sites to draw attention to its deterioration. Since then, it has been undergoing restoration.
Sataplia Reserve - Kutaisi Area
The protected area of Sataplia is a beautiful monument of nature. Situated very close to Kutaisi, the Sataplia reserve, with 354 hectares, is famous for its landscape, composed of mountains and hills. The site is almost entirely covered by the forest of Colchis. The reserve takes its name from the flowery meadows located on the cliff of this ancient volcano and where the raising of beehives is an ancestral tradition. Sataplia means “the place where honey is made”.
Sataplia is also well known for its caves and the great variety of underground rivers that make it a trendy place for speleologists. Discovered accidentally in 1933 by the curator of the Kutaisi museum while searching for remains of prehistoric settlements, the caves of Sataplia are among the most interesting and richest in Europe. And are dated to 30 million years ago. Their depth is impressive. Its length is 1060 m, its height is 10 meters, its width is 12 meters, it can be explored on foot and boat to cross the 280 m underground lake. The highest point is a dome-shaped hall 600 meters long. Sataplia is also famous for its dinosaur footprints frozen in the rock.
Prometheus Cave
The Cave of Prometheus is, together with the Cave of Sataplia, one of the wealthiest and most spectacular caves in Europe and one of the region’s most popular destinations. The Cave of Prometheus (according to legend, Prometheus was chained in the surrounding mountains) is located near Tskaltubo. Dating back 60 to 70 million years, the Prometheus Cave is a natural monument of remarkable beauty.
This beautifully shaped karst cave, with its bands of stalactites and stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, magnificent underground rivers, and lakes, will once again convince you of the enormous power of nature and take you on a journey into the world of fairies. The length of this masterpiece of nature is 1.8 km, 40 meters wide, it consists of 22 different rooms. It can be visited on foot and by boat and offers an unforgettable journey out of time.
Martvili Canyon - Kutaisi Area
Just an hour away from Kutaisi, the Martvili canyon is magically beautiful. The canyon was once a bathing place for the royal Dadiani family. Near the canyon, you can see the well-preserved remains of a two-storey mill characteristic of the area. The lower path of Dadiani Canyon has a 30-step staircase made of large limestone squares. Legend has it that this staircase was used by David the Builder himself. The canyon is 2,400 meters long, up to several tens of meters wide, and 50 to 70 meters deep. In the center of the canyon, one can enjoy beautiful waterfalls. In addition to the Abasha River’s erosion, the birth of the canyon was caused by a major earthquake, responsible for many Abbasid faults.
Limestone bridges preserved in two places along the canyon testify to the collapse of one or more karst caves. The 700 m paved path that runs along the gorge follows the historic Dadiani path and includes two bridges that lead to observation platforms. Visitors have the opportunity to visit the canyon by boat on a 300-meter long section. Part of the canyon, known as Dadiani’s Bath, is exceptionally beautiful, enhanced by the river’s emerald green color. For experienced amateurs, scuba diving and speleology expeditions can be organized. Until the early 2000s, the canyon was virtually unknown, except by the locals. However, the site has recently experienced a boom in visitors. The natural beauty of the canyon is magical. It is Martvili’s hidden gem.
Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall - Kutaisi Area
This wonder of nature, located one hour north of Kutaisi, has recently become, thanks to the new infrastructure built around the site, one of the area’s main attractions. The two-hour walking trail leading to the canyon and through the historic Dadiani Forest is terrific. The canyon is also accessible by a picturesque road used only by 4×4 vehicles.
The canyon can be visited along a 780 m long hanging trail on the mountainside and ends with a panoramic footbridge that provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the canyon and its wilderness. The spectacular waterfalls of Kinchkha waterfall are located in the north of the canyon, about 500 meters away. Okatse Canyon is a perfect destination for nature lovers.
Motsameta Monastery - Kutaisi Area
Motsameta is one of the most famous monasteries in Georgia. Straight out of the pages of a fairy tale, the cliff-top monastery, with its round turrets crowned with tent-like domes, stands above the steep gorges of the Tskhaltsiteli River. King Bagrat III built the church in the 10th century, where in the 8th century, Muslim invaders executed Princes David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Dukes of Margveti, pious and courageous defenders of the region who defeated and refused to accept Islam. Motsameta is translated into Georgian as The Church of the Martyrs.
In a small room of the monastery is a large rectangular arch containing the princes’ sacred relics canonized by the Georgian Church. According to the ancient rite, if one slips under the arch three times and makes a wish by touching the holy relics, Princes David and Konstantin will grant it. To fulfill your dearest wish, you will have to crawl. The faithful say it never fails! Many proven miracles are there to prove it.
Tskaltubo - Kutaisi Area
Located in the lush Imereti Valley, about 20 km from Kutaisi, the spa town of Tskaltubo was one of the most popular destinations in the Soviet Union. Rich and famous people came here to relax, bathe and enjoy luxury. Stalin liked to stay here. Its thermal waters are incomparable for their healing properties and are used to treat about 70 illnesses. At that time, up to 30 sanatoriums and rest homes stood harmoniously in the heart of the spa park. But most of these impressive neo-classical buildings have been abandoned. This gives the site an extraordinary aura.
Fortunately, some of these masterpieces are now being restored to regain their past glory. Tskaltubo is known for the beauty of its nature, the clear and fresh forests, and also for the abundance of its historical and cultural monuments. Here you will find castle towers, ancient monasteries, and the remains of the royal palace Geguti where the very popular queen Tamar was crowned queen. The Tskaltubo Museum preserves rich archaeological material from the Neolithic period to the end of the feudal period: Bronze Age pottery, copper, numismatic collection, working and fighting tools, clothes, furniture, musical instruments, liturgical treasures, painted and engraved icons, and other precious books.
Sairme - Kutaisi Area
Sairme Spa is located 50 km from Kutaisi, on the Tzablaraskhevi River, at 800m above sea level. The legend of its discovery is rejoicing. The surrounding forests belonging to the princes, during a hunt, a wounded deer brings them to a spring whose rusty-colored stones intrigue them. They notice that other deer are massing around the spring, bleached by the salt, waiting to drink each one in turn.
Sairme is the Georgian word for “deer place”. Beyond the legend, in 1920, geologists noticed an area not far from the spring where the grass is always green, never covered with snow, and where the ground is still dry even after the rain. Intrigued, they discovered significant hot mineral springs. Since that time, Saime has become a spa resort that has seen the blossoming of sanatoriums whose patients come to drink carbonic water of the “Narxani” type with curative virtues. Today this charming spa, accessible by a beautiful mountain road, is still home to sanatoriums and wellness clinics.
Borjomi-kharagauli National Park
The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park covers more than 85,000 hectares. With an area of 5,300 km² (7.6% of the country’s total area), the national park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe. Borjomi, starting point of the national park, is a spa resort famous for its sparkling water, equivalent to Vichy in France or San Pellegrino in Italy, is drunk throughout the country. The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, recognized by the European label Natura 2000, benefits from the highest level of forest protection. They are extraordinary.
They home to a considerable variety of conifers, Beech, Hornbeam, oak trees, and most endangered types such as chestnut, oak-Colchis, and yew. The fauna is a reflection of this flora of great diversity. Of course, wolves, lynx, brown bears, deer and wild boar, roe deer, and Bezoar goats live in the forests and the park’s rocky areas. But also weasels, martens, Caucasian squirrels, red foxes, and hares. Endemic protected bird species include the golden eagle, griffon vulture, black vulture, and great black capercaillie. This region’s ethnographic diversity is also expressed in the different lifestyles and traditions of the people living in the national park.
Many important historical monuments dot this fabulous landscape, such as the Timotesubani Temple (13th century), the churches of Nedzvi and Nunisi (9th century), the Sakvirike Basilica (10th century), the green monastery of Chitakhevi (9th century), the fortress of Gogia and Petra (9th century), the fortress of Vakhani and the Golden Fortress of Adigeni. Thanks to its numerous marked trails, the park can be discovered by car but mostly on foot and on horseback.
Countryside
The Botanical Garden
On the north bank of the Rioni River, nestled away from the city’s hustle and bustle on the heights, the Kutaisi Botanical Garden welcomes its visitors all year round. Here you can discover about 800 species of plants, shrubs, and trees. The Botanical Garden was officially opened in 1969, replacing earlier gardens dating back to the 1820s. The Colchis fountain/monument is located in David Agmashenebeli Square and was completed in 2011. It is a monument to the glory of the Kingdom of Colchis, of which Kutaisi was once the capital. The fountain has about 30 statues, each of which is a replica of ancient archaeological relics found in the Imereti region. The botanical garden is a quiet, restful, and unmissable stop in Kutaisi.
Green Market Bazar
The Kutaisi bazaar represents the culinary heart of Kutaisi. This large traditional market is a world apart. This remarkable chaos welcomes independent sellers who offer agricultural products, often organic, from neighboring villages and all over the region. In the summer season, it is an imbroglio of watermelons, peaches, apricots of all kinds, tomatoes, zucchinis, onions, eggplants, and the aromatic herbs used in Georgian cuisine.
There are many natural dairy products (cheese being a crucial component of Georgian gastronomy), meat, and various spices. There are many spice sellers: Georgian cuisine has strong Middle Eastern influences, and it is here that the inhabitants come to stock up on cumin, Curcuma, cinnamon, pepper, and others. And then, of course, home-made wine, chacha (Georgian brandy) and many chiri, churchkhelas (traditional Georgian sweets) and other sweets. The experience of the Kutaisi market, its fragrances, colors, and typical shops is unforgettable. This is where you can observe the locals’ real daily lives and is, therefore, a place not to be missed when visiting the city.
Sumptuous Products of Imereti
Due to its humid subtropical climate, winters are cold, and summers are relatively dry and hot. The Imereti region, and the hinterland of Kutaisi, is also known for its agriculture, livestock and the products of its orchards and gardens, which are succulent and sun-drenched. Imereti is a region that produces many excellent wines. The diversity of climatic conditions and the nature of soils in the different Imereti regions, unique grape varieties such as Tsolikauri, Tsitska, Krakhuna, Otskhanuri Sapere, Adanasuri give exceptional wines, both white and red.
The wine culture here also dates back to time immemorial. Ancient wine jars, grape presses, rules, and traditions of the « Table » in Kutaisi testify to their dedication to the art of winemaking and wine consumption. Imereti is best known for its remarkable culinary tradition, spicy and delicious, crisp white wine. The guests of honor of the Supra (the traditional dinner) will be welcomed with various dishes. Walnuts are widely used in Imereti’s cuisine and give a unique taste to local products. Most of the dishes are prepared directly in earthenware dishes, cooked and simmered with abundant herbs.
According to them, khachapuri (baked cheese bread) is the best in Georgia or at least the most popular, satsivi imeruli (chicken or turkey in a spicy nut sauce), Isrimakvali fried chicken dipped in blackberry juice, matsoni (fresh yogurt) and pkhali (chopped spinach mixed with herbs and spices) are among the culinary institutions of Imereti and Kutaisi.
Handcraft
Kutaisi is a beautifully preserved concentration of Georgian architecture. With an incredible variety in the materials used, a great diversity in the buildings’ facades and architectural style. You will enjoy strolling around and admiring the different neighborhoods and the elegant tree-lined streets that extend to the Rioni River banks. Crossed by several attractive parks, Kutaisi is a beautiful place to walk. From the European quarter to the Jewish quarter, through its shady gardens along the river, the colorful houses in pure Georgian style, Kutaisi is unique and beautiful. In the Jewish district, several synagogues bear witness to the largest Georgian Jewish community’s long history.
The largest synagogue, built-in 1866, can accommodate 500 worshippers. The magnificent Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery – both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – bear witness to the region’s importance throughout its history. When the Georgian Parliament moved to Kutaisi in 2012, much work was done to restore the city’s streets, buildings, parks, and monuments. Kutaisi, quieter and more peaceful than Tbilisi, is an architectural jewel where life flows most pleasantly in its new setting.
History of Kutaisi & Imereti Region
The first traces of human settlements found in Imereti and Kutaisi date back to the Lower Palaeolithic (12000 BC). Kutaisi, located on the Rioni River banks, is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
Throughout its history, the rich Kutaisi has always been an important political, administrative, cultural, and educational center for Georgia. The first mention of Kutaisi appears in the myth of the Argonauts (13th-14th century BC).
In search of the mythical Golden Fleece, Jason discovered the city surrounded by vineyards, where miraculous fountains were flowing honey, milk, and wine. Kutaisi was the capital of the fabulous and mysterious Colchis.
After the fall of the kingdom of Colchis, the kingdom of Egris (3rd to 7th century), rose from the rubble and came under the influence of the Roman Empire. The kingdom, at that time, becomes the object of an incessant Greco-Persian clash.
At the end of the 8th century, a noble of Abkhazia, Leo II, rebels against Byzantium and declares himself king. He unifies Western Georgia and makes Kutaisi his capital.
In 978 Bagrat III (975-1014) unifies Imereti and East Georgia (Tbilisi), and becomes the first king of Unified Georgia.
In 1089, the most powerful monarch in Georgian history, David the Builder (1089-1125), began his reign. Between the 10th and the end of the 12th century, Kutaisi was Unified Georgia’s capital. This is the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Georgia. This period of a political, cultural, and economic renaissance is reflected in the creation of many masterpieces of medieval Georgian architecture that testify to the importance of this period, including the Bagrati Cathedral of Kutaisi and the Gelati Monastery complex.
In the 15th century, after the monarchy’s collapse, Imereti was divided into several principalities: Odisha, Guria, Abkhazia, and Svaneti. Weakened, Imereti suffered repeated assaults from the Ottoman Empire, which occupied part of the region in the second half of the 17th century and partially destroyed Kutaisi.
King Solomon I expelled them a century later with the support of the Russian Empire. This important king succeeded in strengthening his state. Nevertheless, Imereti remains the object of the appetites of its powerful Ottoman neighbors for conquest.
In 1804, the kingdom of Imereti pledged allegiance to the Russian big brother and became part of the Empire in 1810.
In the 19th century, Kutaisi was the center of Georgian cultural revival. Many of the country’s most beloved poets, writers, painters, musicians, and composers are from this city.
Although Kutaisi became a major industrial center in the 20th century, Kutaisi suffered greatly during the post-Soviet period, but today the city is revitalizing itself. The beautiful 19th century Art Nouveau merchant houses and the historic Jewish quarter on the Rioni River banks are being restored.
Thanks to its new international airport, an economic boom is beginning in Kutaisi. With a long and venerable history and proud inhabitants, Kutaisi is Tbilisi’s traditional “rival”.
