The document provides information on several important historical and cultural sites in Georgia, including Abanotubani, the oldest part of Tbilisi known for its 17th-18th century baths; Metekhi plateau and the Virgin Mary Church in Tbilisi; the Kakheti wine region where domesticated grapevines were first discovered; and Tsinandali, an important cultural site and home of the Chavchavadze family. It also summarizes several important monasteries and churches across Georgia, such as Gelati Monastery, an intellectual center and UNESCO World Heritage Site; Vardzia, a famous cave city; and Nikortsminda Cathedral with 17th century frescoes

2. 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.

3. Kakheti – Wine Region
Kakheti – wine region
Georgia 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 monastery
It 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,

8. 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.
Vardzia
One 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.

9. 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 celebrated
Due 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.
Motsameta
It 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.

10. Sataplia State Reserve
Sataplia 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 Cave
Prometheus” 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.

11. 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 God
Barakoni 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.