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GEORGIA

attraction of Georgia

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Page 1: attraction of Georgia

GEORGIA

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Abanotubani (“district of baths”) is the oldest part of Tbilisi. Baths built in the 17th-18th centuries have been preserved and function nowadays. Their utmost merit is so-called “hot without fire” sulfur springs. Baths have existed on this territory already in the 27th-1st centuries BC. At different times the famous baths of Tbilisi were visited by well-known European and Asian writers, poets, and even Kings. Tbilisi baths represent an example of Islamic architecture.

Metekhi - Many events of the history of Tbilisi are related to Metekhi Plateau and the Virgin Mary Church on atop. A legend credits King Vakhtang Gorgasali responsible for founding a church here. The religious tradition, however, maintains that the first church was built here in the 7th century after the body of Saint Shushaniki (a Christian martyr) was brought from Tsurtavi and buried here.

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Kakheti – Wine Region

Kakheti – wine regionGeorgia is considered the cradle of wine, which is confirmed by numerous archaeological, ethnographic, and linguistic materials. Ancient sorts of domestic grapevine have been discovered during archaeological excavations, dated 6th-5th millennium BC. Many ceramic vessels used to wine-making and storing purposes have been unearthed too. According to experts, the progenitor of domestic grapevine – Usurvazi – grew in the wild on the territory of Georgia. The Latin term for wine, “Vino”, is said to derive from the Georgian word for wine, “Ghvino”. The Caucasus had been the very place from which domestic grapevine spread to Europe, first to Italy and then to France, North Africa, and Spain.

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Tsinandali, the historical home of Alexandre Chavchavadze and his family, is one of Georgia’s most important cultural sites. As a museum and cultural center, it can offer an extraordinary experience for the general public, tourists, educators, students, and researchers. No better place exists to tell the story of the powerful family that left a lasting mark on Georgia’s history, to expose visitors to traditional as well as contemporary Georgian arts and values, and to inspire both Georgians and international visitors to consider the possibilities for the future of their nations and world.

Two of the most important and most beautiful architectural monuments of Kakheti are the Dzveli ("old")and Akhali ("new" ) Shuamta Monasteries. Both of them stand in a forest of deciduous trees which makes them look even more fascinating.  Its consists of a 5th century basilica, one of the most curious examples of Christian Georgian architecture;

Gremi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded by Levan of Kakheti, it functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road and royal residence until being razed to the ground by the armies of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1615. The town never regained its past prosperity and the Kings of kakheti transferred their capital toTelavi in the mid-17th century.

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Jvari(9 km from Mtskheta)Jvari monastery is located on a top of small hill opening the fascinating view of the city Mtskheta – old capital of Georgia. At this place, in the prehistoric epoch, the vanity was located. After declaring Christianity the state religion in Iberia (Kartli), the cross (in Georgian – “jvari”) as the symbol of new religion had been erected there, later, in V-VI AD, the Church was built. It is the first cross-domed church in Georgia and is on the UNESCO List of the World Cultural Heritage.

Svetitskhoveli(Mtskheta, 24 km from Tbilisi)Mtskheta – is one of the most sacred places in Georgia. The first wooden church was built here immediately upon declaring Christianity the state religion (337). Current impressive temple was built in 11th century and it is one of the biggest churches built before 21st century in Georgia.According to the legend, the temple was built at the place where the shroud of Jesus Christ had been buried. During the centuries the temple has been seriously damaged and restored several times. Currently it is on the UNESCO List of the World Cultural Heritage.

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Uplistsikhe (that is situated nearby town of Gori – birthplace of Josef Stalin)(Gori, 86 km from Tbilisi)The ancient city carven in the rock located 20 km east to Gori. It was spread on the historic Silk Road. At the edge of II and I millenniums BC, one of the tribes living on the territory used and arranged the natural caves existing there. In the VI-V centuries BC it was one of the most important cultural-political centers of Shida Kartli, and from II century BC it became the typical Hellenistic town. Uplistsikhe was the important trading centre till the 12th century AD. The remainders of the town built on the bank of the Mtkvari River still retaining the signs of Hellenistic epoch, make the unforgettable impression on the visitors.

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Zarzma Monastery of transfiguration

It is a medieval Orthodox Cristian monastery located at the village of Zarzma in samtskhe-javakheti region, southwest Georgia.The earliest church on the site was probably built in the 8th century, by the monk Serapion whose life is related in the hariografic novel by Basil of Zarzma. According to his source, the great nobleman Giorgi Chorchaneli made significant donation – including villages and estates – to the monastery. The extant edifice dates from the early years of the 14th century.

Sapara monasteryIt has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century Sapara became a possession of the Jakeli family,

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Khertvisi Fortress Khertvisi Fortress is one of the oldest forts in Georgia . It is located in the southern part of the country, north of Khertvisi . The Khertvisi Fortress stands on a rocky promontory, high above the river Mtkvari, guarding the path connecting the towns Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe. The ruins preserved until these days belong to a fort built in the 10th century. However, there had been once a fortified stronghold from the 2nd century BC at this place. Two underground tunnels lead down from Khertvisi Fortress to the river. One tunnel was used for water supply, while the other served as an entrance to the fort.

VardziaOne of the most famous ancient monuments of Georgia is located in Vardzia near the Armenian border. Built in the twelfth century, during the Golden Age of Georgia, by Giorgi III, this city of caves was originally intended as a military fortress. However, his niece Queen Tamara (the first female ruler, and beloved by her people) later converted it into a religious complex, where she herself lived for many years. Since that time it has been used as a monastery for most of its history. Vardzia is remarkable cave city, which in its heyday housed 50,000 people, was actually carved into the side of the rocky cliffs. The entire cave complex is situated high up in the mountains to keep it safe from invading hordes. Vardzia is a very special place, considered a cultural symbol and a source of pride to Georgians, and a must-see for tourists who travel to Georgia.

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Gelati is a monastic complex near Kutaisi, Imereti, western Georgia. It contains the Church of the Virgin founded by the King of Georgia David the Builder in 1106, and the 13th-century churches of St George and St Nicholas. The Gelati Monastery for a long time was one of the main cultural and intellectual centers in Georgia. It had an Academy which employed some of the most celebratedDue to the extensive work carried out by the Gelati Academy, people of the time called it "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos". The Gelati Monastery has preserved a great number of murals and manuscriptsdating back to the 12th-17th centuries. In 1994, Gelati Monastery was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

MotsametaIt is a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal vegetation. According to the legend the monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam.In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with the hallows of the pious princes canonized by Georgian Church .Motsameta attracts crowds of tourists with an ancient superstition: if one crawls three times under the ark and makes a wish while touching the hallows, the princes David and Konstantin will grant it.The Tsar Bagrat III reconstructed the church in the 10 th century. The building was reconstructed again in the 19 th century.

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Sataplia State ReserveSataplia State Reserve is a most multifarious and very rare monument. It is of complex character and contains geologic, paleontological, speleological and botanical monuments. The Sataplia Mountain is famous by its rarest and the most beautiful caves. This cave was firstly noticed by Kutaisi museum employee, pedagogues P. Chabukiani who was able to make organization of this valuable monument protection by the local government, and in 1933, there was found a dinosaur trace. 

Promete CavePrometheus” cave is one of the richest caves of Europe. It is characterized by the variety of underground rivers and beautiful landscapes. Golden Fleece cave meets all needs of international tourism level. Walking route for tourists is 1060 m. Also tourist will sail by boats in underground lake (280m) In nearby territories where there are other caves speleological tours can be organized. The total length of these caves is 15 555 m.

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Nikortsminda Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia.Nikortsminda was built in 1010-1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia and was repaired in 1634 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell-tower next to the Cathedral was built in the second half of the 19th century. Frescoes inside the Cathedral date from the 17th century.The Cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Barakoni Church of the Mother of GodBarakoni was commissioned, in 1753, by the local lord (eristavi) Rostom of Racha (1750-1769) from the architect Avtandil Shulavreli who is commemorated in the inscription of the eastern façade. It is a domed cruciform church and one of the last important monuments in the tradition of medieval Georgian architecture. The church was built of neatly trimmed stable stand stones and adorned with rich ornamentation. The church was closed and desecrated under the Bolshevik rule. It suffered further damage, though not serious, in the 1991 Racha earthquake, but was quickly repaired.Located on a top of a steep cliff, it overlooks Rioni River which joins the Lukhuni River just below the mountain.

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Lake Tobavarchkhili is situated in the Egrisi mountain range, in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. 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. he lake was formed by a glacier eroding the rock and then melting, filling the space that it created. It is only possible to reach this glacial lake on foot – it’s about 20 km from the small town of Chkhorotsku. The best time to visit is from the end of June until early September. At other times of the year there is often heavy rain and thick fog.

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The beautiful Green Lake is located in the northern part of the Arsiani Range near Beshumi 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. The lake is a 2 hour drive (120 km) from Batumi.

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