WEST REGION

 

We start our journey in Kutaisi - the ancient capital of Abkhazia and Imereti kingdom.

Our first stop is the Bagrat’s Temple, erected during the reign of Bagrat III in 1003 as the main cathedral of his kingdom and consecrated in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin. Majestic in size and proportions, the church became a fundamentally new word in the history of Georgian architecture and was richly decorated with mosaic carvings. Bagtrat’s Temple played an exceptional role in the history of medieval Georgian state. In particular, this is the place where, at the age of sixteen, King David IV the Builder ascended to his throne. During the Turk attack in 1601 gunpowder explosion destroyed the roof and dome of the cathedral, which stayed like that until 2012 when during the restoration works 300 kg bronze cross has been set up on top of it.

 

The name of David the Builder is connected to the second stop of our journey as well. Gelati Monastery of the Virgin is the most significant medieval monastery in Georgia. Founded in 1106 by King David the Builder it also became his burial place. Cathedral Church was built in 1125 and during the XIII century monastic ensembles were added to the church of St. Nicholas and St. George, as well as a three-tiered belfry. Murals refer to different periods of the history of Georgia, from the XII to the XVIII century; especially remarkable are the portraits of royalty. The monastery was a safe place for a lot of valuable icons and objects of applied art. In general, Gelati combines well preserved rich historical and architectural complex, composed of an ancient monastery, the bell tower, the church and the academy. Thus, Gelati was not only the spiritual center of the country, but also the largest center of culture, history and science. David the Builder, wanting to create at home a major educational center, gathered best Georgian scientists in the Gelati Academy, as were, for example, prominent thinkers Ioyne Petritsi (11-12 cc.), Ioane Shavteli (12 c.), Arsen (13 c.). Interest for antique philosophy was especially typical for Gelati Academy's flourishing period. Students were engaged not only in translation, but also in creating original works. Such subjects as geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, philosophy, grammar, rhetoric, and music were taught at the Academy. Gelati Complex also included a large, rich library.

 

 

Stalactite and stalagmite caves of Sataplia and Kumistavi require no introduction. Amazing visuals filled with music of light and colors will describe them for us.

Sataplia reserve was an accidental discovery. Now it’s a very mysterious and still not very well explored place in Georgia. Caves and archaeological reserve transfer you into another, fantastic world, that might or might not existed millions of years ago.

Professional designers worked on the atmosphere of the Prometheus cave.  Audible and visual accompaniments are performed at a very high level. The length of the tourist route through the cave is a half thousand and a half meters long, plus five hundred meters that you can sail on a boat along the underground river. Visiting Kumistavi usually leaves a very deep impression and is not to be missed out.

 

Mountain Svaneti is a single, proud, majestic part of the poem that’s titled Georgia. Trust our word - Svaneti defies description and comparison. Svaneti is a must see, must feel, must learn, and after all this, you’ll just fall in love with her.

 

Samegrelo - a part of western Georgia. Magic cascade of Martvili canyons, the palace of Prince Dadiani in Zugdidi closely intertwine us with such grand-sounding names like Pushkin, Griboyedov, Alexander Dumas (senior), Alexander Chavchavadze and .... who would have thought - Napoleon Bonaparte himself.