Georgia today is the city of Kutaisi. Sights of kutaisi, the most interesting in the city

In western Georgia, on the banks of the Rioni River, one of the most ancient cities in the world, the city of Kutaisi, the administrative center of Imereti, is surprisingly calm, striking in its beauty. Today Kutaisi ranks second in terms of population and third in terms of economic importance among all cities in Georgia.

From the time of its foundation, Kutaisi was the capital of the Abkhaz, and later the Imeretian kingdom. During Soviet times, Kutaisi was turned into the most important industrial region of Georgia. Since 2012, the city has been the parliamentary capital of Georgia.

In the city, in a strange way, modern architectural structures that amaze the imagination, classic Stalinist five-story buildings and the oldest architectural monuments of world magnitude coexist perfectly.

The river Rioni stretched through the whole city, dividing the city into two parts. The right bank is the old part of Kutaisi, where the historical and cultural sights of the city are located, on the left bank there are numerous new buildings. Both parts are interconnected by a number of picturesque bridges and bridges, emphasizing the majestic beauty of the city and giving it a unique flavor.

Weather in Kutaisi

Kutaisi and its environs have a subtropical humid climate. The weather in the whole of Imereti and in Kutaisi in particular is characterized by strong gusty winds in the spring-autumn period. During heavy rains, the water level in the river rises, and the streets of the city are often under water. In winter, the average temperature ranges from 0 to +4 °C, and in summer - +25 ... +27 °C. Winter absolute maximum - +17 °C, summer - +44 °C.

Nature

The city of Kutaisi is located on the territory Colchis lowland, a significant part of which was previously covered with magnificent forests. Today, most of it is used for growing crops such as citrus fruits, tea, grapes, etc.

A stormy river flows through the city Rioni, which originates in the mountains, towering above the plain.

Streets, squares, parks and squares of the city are surrounded by greenery. One of the districts of Kutaisi is called Mtsvanekvavila, which literally translates as "green flower garden".

Caves in Kutaisi

A unique natural formation are the famous karst caves of Sataplia- one of the main tourist sites in western Georgia near Kutaisi. There are five caves in Sataplia, where amazing representatives of flora and fauna meet. Only one of them is presented to the attention of visitors. Well-preserved dinosaur footprints have been found in the caves. The arches of underground palaces are decorated with huge stalactites and stalagmites of the most bizarre shapes. Underwater rivers seethe here, continuing to continuously punch themselves more and more new moves. And from Mount Sataplia itself, in which these amazing caves are located, a picturesque view of Kutaisi and its surroundings opens up.

Attractions in Kutaisi

Temple of Bagrat

As a legacy from its majestic past, modern Kutaisi has received a number of architectural monuments that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of these monuments is temple of Bagrat, standing on the most ancient place in the city - on the hill Ukemerion. For a long time, the Bagrati temple was a symbol of united Georgia, because it was here that King David IV was crowned, who created a single Georgian kingdom. The temple was partially destroyed during the attack of the Turks in the 17th century. and never recovered after that. Since 2001, open-air worship services have been held here.

Gelati

Of great historical interest is the historical architectural Gelati complex located 11 km from Kutaisi. The complex includes:

• Gelati Monastery of the Mother of God,
• Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin,
• academy,
• three-tiered bell tower.

Thanks to the academy, where the best scientists of the country taught and studied science, Gelati became the center of the scientific life of medieval Georgia. Gelati was also the tomb of the Imeretian kings.

Monastery Motsameta

When seeing the sights of Kutaisi, you should pay attention to a small picturesque monastery with pointed round turrets, which is called Motsameta. The monastery stands above the river itself, immersed in coastal greenery. According to legend, it was built on the site of the execution of the Georgian princes Constantine and David Mkheidze, who refused to convert to Islam. The relics of these great martyrs are kept inside the monastery. The building was rebuilt in the 10th and 19th centuries.

A walk along the streets of the old part of the city will leave a unique impression, where on the steep mountain slopes, as if hanging over each other, low stone and brick houses are located.

Nutrition

Imeretian cuisine is the brightest and most refined in the gastronomy of Georgia. It is based on the active use of all kinds of herbs and vegetables. This is due to the fact that for centuries the inhabitants of Imereti, a rocky and low-yielding land, had to show rich imagination to invent culinary masterpieces. For example, for the preparation of delicious "mkhali" beet tops and radishes, nettles, spinach, cabbage and young shoots of shrubs are used. All ingredients are boiled, nut dressing, garlic and spices are added to them. The dish strikes the imagination of the most fastidious gourmets.

The main meat product of Imereti is chicken cooked with all kinds of sauces: isrim-makvali (from blackberries and unripe grapes), garlic sauce, tkamali (from tkemali fruits), tomato-nut with herbs, etc.

Especially popular are Imeretian khachapuri, abundantly filled with Imeretian (lightly salted) cheese, cooked in special clay frying pans - ketsah.

The most popular type of bread in Imereti is corn tortillas.

Restaurants and cafes of Kutaisi will delight their guests with traditional Imeretian dishes. The menu in most establishments is compiled only in Georgian, so you should use the services of a waiter to make a choice that can best suit your taste.

Accommodation and housing prices

All kinds of hotels, hostels and guest houses offer their services to tourists in Kutaisi. Hotels that provide a wide range of services to their customers are Imeri Park Hotel(cost of living from $ 50 per person), Hotel Kolkha(from 70 $), Hotel Rcheuli Palace and etc.

The cost of living in hostels and guest houses, depending on the season, varies from $15 to $20 per person per day.

Detailed information about places of residence in Kutaisi can be obtained from the tourist information center, which has recently opened in Kutaisi.

Entertainment and recreation

A number of museums in Kutaisi offer their expositions to the attention of residents and guests of the city. Kutaisi has a unique historical Museum, which stores amazing specimens dating back to the Bronze Age (cult and ritual objects, animal figurines, jewelry made of clay, stone, precious metals, etc.). The museum presents the richest collection of firearms and edged weapons.

Vladimir Mayakovsky spent his childhood in Kutaisi, so today he works in the city memory museum poet.

Theater lovers can visit the renovated Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Kutaisi Drama Theater.

Purchases

Kutaisi markets sell the best spices in the country. The collection of Imeretian spices will be an original, useful and unforgettable gift for anyone who loves to cook deliciously. Experts know that the real tklapi” (tkemali plum puree dried in the sun, which is an indispensable ingredient for making kharcho) can only be bought there.

Transport

The main public transport is the bus. Minibuses plying in all sorts of directions are also widespread. There are many taxis in the city. During non-working hours, this is the only mode of transport that can be used, for example, from the airport to the hotel. By the way, in Kutaisi, as in all cities of Georgia, in order to find housing, you just need to contact a taxi driver with this question. The cost of the trip should be negotiated in advance.

The Kutaisi cable car deserves special attention. It leads to one of the city's recreation parks. From a bird's eye view, you can admire the panorama of the city.

Connection

In Georgia today, the rapid development of Internet communication is taking place everywhere. In Kutaisi, there are several Internet cafes in the central part of the city. The cost of the service is relatively low - about $ 0.5 per hour in the network.

Tourists traveling with a laptop can use the Internet via Wi-Fi, which is provided free of charge in almost all hotels, guest houses, hostels. You can also purchase a wireless internet card from mobile operators ( Geocell, Magti, Beeline). The cost of the Internet will be about $ 15 for 1 GB of traffic.

You can call abroad both from a mobile phone and using the services of call centers located in central post offices.

Safety

For a long time, the city of Kutaisi was considered the thieves' capital of Georgia, but after the police reform, the situation changed dramatically. In the course of the reform, all employees were completely dismissed from the police and a new staff was recruited, wages were significantly increased for police officers, strict punishment for bribes (imprisonment of up to 10 years) was introduced, police units were equipped with modern technology and equipment.

The city was divided into small squares, for the order in which certain employees are responsible, who, if necessary, can get to the crime scene within 5 minutes. As a result of all these transformations, crime in the city (and the country) has been almost completely eliminated today.

Business climate

In the course of carrying out liberal reforms in Georgia, economic activity in the country is increasing. The result of the radical tax reform that was carried out in Georgia was a sharp reduction in the share of the shadow economy and the attraction of significant foreign investment.

The business climate in Kutaisi has improved significantly in recent years. The location of the city not far from the Black Sea and in the picturesque mountains, fraught with many ancient unique buildings, contributes to the transformation of Kutaisi into one of the main tourist centers of Georgia. The reconstruction of the airport had a positive impact on the revival of tourism in the region. Kopitnari". The beauty and originality of the ancient city is emphasized by the modern street lighting system, which, in addition to aesthetic, has an ecological function, while reducing electricity consumption by several times.

A free industrial zone operates in Kutaisi - a specially equipped area for the operation of industrial enterprises.

Real estate prices

As a result of the transfer of the parliament from Tbilisi to Kutaisi, there has been a significant increase in real estate prices in the city. First of all, this affected real estate on Irakli Abashidze Avenue in the immediate vicinity of the parliament building. Today, the average price for rented housing is about $250, while in many areas of the city there is no hot, and often cold water.

After a long stagnation, the development of Kutaisi has recently begun, in connection with this, tourists should remember that they can pay with a credit card only in a few places (large restaurants, hotels, shops). The standard of living of the population is still quite low, so it is better to exchange cash with a large denomination for banknotes of a lower denomination.

Going on a trip to Imereti, you should be prepared for the fact that many houses and even hostels may not have both hot water and heating.

You should also be careful about prohibitions in public places, for example, the ban on smoking - the fine will be about $ 6.

It is necessary to refrain from conversations touching on national topics, and from jokes about Georgians. Respectful attitude to the owners of the city will provide guests with the most cordial welcome.

Kutaisi is the main resort town in Western Georgia. It is the capital of the Imereti region, located on both banks of the Rioni River. Distance from Kutaisi to major cities:

• Zugdidi - 100 km;
• Tbilisi - 220 km;
• Batumi - 150 km;
• Poti - 100 km.

The history of Kutaisi is quite rich. In ancient times, the city was the capital of the Colchis kingdom, that is, the Colchis - ancient Georgians. Then, from VIII to XIII, the city was the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom. In the 60s of the 17th century, Kutaisi was captured by the Turks, but in 1770 it was liberated by Russian troops.

Since 1810 the city was part of the Russian Empire. Since 1811 it has become the center of the Imereti region, and since 1846 - the center of the Kutaisi Empire. During Soviet times, Kutaisi was the second most important Georgian city. There were many factories and important technical centers.

In 1991, Georgia became an independent state, and Kutaisi became a cozy resort town. Now it is a quiet place where tourists like to come for a secluded holiday.

All the sights of Kutaisi can hardly be seen in one or two. Within the city there are several objects that are definitely worth the attention of tourists.

white bridge

Address: the center of the Old Town (near the lower cable car station)

The White Bridge is one of the completely pedestrian bridges crossing the Rioni River. It was built in 1852, but collapsed a few years later. Then, in 1872, the bridge acquired its current appearance. It was then when the details of the structure were repainted white that the bridge also began to be called White.

On the territory of the bridge there is a sculpture of a boy with two hats, which is a character from the movie "An Extraordinary Story". According to the plot, one of the characters in the film says that such boys were painted by Picasso and they are the ideal of art. The boy then rips off the hats of the two gentlemen and jumps with them straight into Rioni. It is this frame that is captured in the sculpture.

Georgians love this bridge very much and consider it the epitome of romance. It was in this place that they liked to make dates at different times. There is a belief that if you make a marriage proposal on the White Bridge, the lovers will never part.

On the west side there are two restaurants, more expensive and cheaper. There you can order coffee (in an expensive coffee shop, the average check is 5 GEL) and admire the white rocks and the rapid flow of the Rioni River.

cable car

Address: the cable car station is located near the White Bridge
Working hours: every day from 11:00 to 20:00
Price: 2 lari for one way

The cable car is a must see in Kutaisi. It is worth a ride, even if you have arrived in the city for just a couple of hours.

From its height, in good weather, you can see almost the whole of Kutaisi, enjoy its panorama and take cool photos. In addition, the cable car is an excellent transport to get to the central park (the upper station is located there).

During the trip, I liked the moment when we passed over the Rioni River.

On the Kutaisi cable car, not small 2-seater trailers run, but medium-sized funiculars. They are rarely crowded, so chances are that you can only enjoy the trip in the company of your family.

central park

The park itself is pretty standard, but it's a good place for a walk. There is a Ferris wheel, several rides.

Music is almost always played in the park, coffee is brewed in coffee shops. This is such a cozy place without crowds of people, where you can relax.

Market Kutaisi

No wonder they say: if you want to plunge into the local color - go to the market. Kutaisi bazaar is no exception. There is always a bargain to be had in the market. Selling here:

• vegetables and fruits;
• coffee;
• pita bread;
• traditional sweets;
• spices;
• meat.

If you are fully stocked in the market, do not hesitate to bargain! This is normal for Georgians and they often make a discount.

There are many beautiful bas-reliefs on the market building, which are an example of the careful work of Georgian sculptors.

Georgian Kutaisi theater named after Lado Meskhishvili, Colchis fountain

Address: located at the very beginning of Gelati street

One of the most beautiful places in Kutaisi. Thanks to the bas-reliefs on the facade, arched windows and high columns, the theater looks impressive. By the way, performances are still going on in it.

Next to the Drama Theater (David Agmashenebeli Square) is the famous Colchis Fountain, which was built in 2011. It is a cascading structure illustrating the myths of ancient Colchis.

The facing of the fountain is made of polished Kharagul stone, the pedestals are decorated with bright blue mosaics. Along the perimeter it is decorated with bronze figures, each of which has its own meaning. At the top of the fountain are 2 horses, which, according to legend, belonged to King Eeta, who reigned in Colchis and kept the Golden Fleece.

Jewish Quarter

The quarter is located opposite the Bagrati temple on the left bank of the Rioni. A special Jewish flavor reigns here and several synagogues have been erected.

There are no special attractions in the Jewish quarter. You can fully explore it in a maximum of half an hour, just walk along Boris Gaponov Street.

Botanical Garden

Address: st. Leselidze
Schedule: around the clock
Price: for free

The Botanical Garden is the perfect place for a leisurely walk. Here you can relax from the noise of the city (although Kutaisi can hardly be called noisy) and enjoy nature. But do not forget to take water and food with you, there are no shops near the garden.

The Botanical Garden occupies a vast territory and has existed for more than 20 years. What locations in the garden are worth visiting:

• heart sculpture;

• a chapel in the trunk of a 400-year-old oak (an analogue of such a chapel is only in France);

• amphitheater.

Temple of Bagrat

How to get there:

• up the stairs from the Rioni River (the stairs are quite steep, so this option is not suitable for walking with children)
• first on the cable car to the park, then go through it and go down to the temple along Kazbegi street

The Bagrati Temple, also known as Bagrati, Bagrati Cathedral or the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, is one of the largest temples throughout Georgia. It was built in 1003, then it was destroyed and remained so for 300 years. In 2012, at the initiative of Saakashvili, the temple was restored.

On the territory of the cathedral there is an observation deck from where you can see the whole of Kutaisi and Rioni and the Racha Range.

The Bagrat Temple is the only temple in Georgia built on a mountain. It is very large, which is impressive. There is no abundance of icons or frescoes, which makes it seem like the epitome of the Middle Ages.

Neighborhood

There are no less interesting places in the vicinity of Kutaisi than in the city itself.

A little advice for travelers: in order not to be tied to public transport and it is more convenient to move from one object to another, you can rent a car for the duration of your vacation.

Prometheus Cave (Kumistavi)

Schedule: November-April: 10:00-17:00, May-August: 10:00-18:00, September-October: 10:00-17:30. Open on all days except Monday.
Price: 20 GEL for an adult ticket (children under 5 years old are not allowed into the cave).
How to get there:

• By minibus: first from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo (minibuses run every hour, the fare costs 1 lari), then from Tskhaltubo to the cave (they go 4 times a day: at 07.00, 11.00, 14.00 and 15.30, the fare costs 1.5 lari). The journey by public transport takes at least an hour.
• By taxi. If you go from Kutaisi, a taxi will cost about 25 GEL, if from Tskaltubo - 5 GEL.
• On your car. GPS coordinates 42.376997, 42.600796.

This location will appeal to tourists who have never been to caves before or simply love such places. The Prometheus Cave itself is the largest karst cave in the entire territory of Georgia. The backlight works inside, so the spectacle is very interesting.

In the cave you can see underground lakes, touch stalactites and stalagmites. Scientists say that there is healing air in the Prometheus cave, so it will be useful for people with lung diseases to visit there.

There are a lot of tourists here during the high season.

Sataplia Reserve

Schedule: May-August: from 10 to 18, September-October: from 10 to 17:30, November-April: from 10 to 17. Day off on Monday.
Price: children under 6 years old free of charge, children over 6 years old - up to 4 GEL, adults - 7 GEL.
How to get there: from the central market in Kutaisi by minibus No. 45.

The Sataplia Reserve was founded 75 years ago and has recently been renovated. What is there:

• Karst caves. They are not as impressive as the Prometheus cave. Only one cave is open for visiting (although there are actually 5 of them), but a large number of people do not crowd into it.
• Dinosaur pavilion. There you can see preserved traces of dinosaurs. Dinosaur sculptures are exhibited in the open air.

• Glass observation platform-balcony. This place offers a bewitching view of the Georgian mountains.

• The crater of an extinct volcano and many hiking trails.

In order to get around the reserve, it will take no more than a couple of hours.

Tskaltubo park

You can get to this place on the way back from the cave of Prometheus. Previously, members of the Soviet elite often went here on vacation.

Now in Tskhaltubo there is a lot of greenery, silence and peace. By the way, there are well-known weakly rhodon springs, the water from which is considered healing.

Okatse Canyon

Schedule: in winter until 17, at other times of the year from 10 to 18. Monday is a day off.
Price: adult ticket - 15 GEL (you may have to pay 0.5 GEL for parking).

This location will appeal to lovers of extreme walks. Along the mountain there is a trail 800 meters long, suspended at the height of a 70-storey building. And below the abyss. There are several lookout points along the trail.

Waterfall Kinchkha

Price: 1 lari for parking
How to get there: by taxi from Otsake Canyon (if you bargain, you can leave for less than 25 GEL) or on foot.

You can look at the waterfall if you went to the Okatse canyon. Here you can not only admire the views, but also swim in the cool water.

In spring and autumn, 3 waterfalls are visible, while in summer only one is clearly visible.

Borjomi

How to get there: by public transport from Kutaisi bus station (Chavchavadze Avenue) by minibus to Akhaltsikhe (with a stop in Borjomi).
Ticket price: about 10 GEL.

If you have the desire and the opportunity to drive a little, then be sure to take the time to visit the city of Borjomi. The road to Borjomi, if you leave from Kutaisi, takes about two hours.

Borjomi is a low-mountain town, surrounded on all sides by mountains and forests. Despite the fact that the village itself is quite small, there are over 200 interesting objects on the list of Borjomi attractions. And this place is also the birthplace of the world-famous healing mineral water.

Borjomi does not have a highly developed infrastructure, but there is clean air, a mild (compared to many other locations) climate, pure nature and many sanatoriums. If you want to arrange a quiet, cozy and healing vacation, you definitely come here.

What interesting things can be seen in Borjomi? If you have a couple of days at your disposal, then you should definitely visit:

• central park. Entrance before 9 or after 19 is free, the rest of the time for visitors over 8 years old you will have to pay 8 GEL (the entrance ticket is valid all day). In the central park there are mineral springs from which you can drink for free. You can also take a 3-liter bottle of water (it costs 3 GEL), but keep in mind that the beneficial properties of water are stored only for 1 day.

• Romanov Palace. A huge villa that was built for Prince Nikolai Mikhailovich. Now the palace is a functioning museum.

• Fortresses of Gogia and Petre.

• cable car. One way fare is 4 GEL. By the way, if you take the cable car up and then go down on foot, you can get to the central park for free.

• Green monastery.

• House of Firuz. This is a very beautiful building, which was built for his beloved by the Persian consul.

• Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

• Street April 9. There is a mini market where you can buy delicious souvenirs (including cone jam).

If a tourist in Borjomi has only a couple of hours of free time, then the most important thing is the cable car, the central park and just the streets of Borjomi (if time is running out, you can drive around the city by car).

Motsameta

Schedule: from 10:00 to 18:00
How to get there:

• by direct bus from Kutaisi to Motsameta;
• on foot: from Gelati street (from the fountain) go down and through the Rioni dam 2.5 km.

The Monastery of Saints Constantine and David is one of the sacred places in Georgia. The monastery itself is quite small and cozy.

In the 8th century, there was a small church on the territory of the monastery, which was burned down by the Arabs in 735. Konstantin and David, who ruled the entire region of the Likh Range, opposed the enemy, but were defeated and captured. The enemies tortured them for 9 days, and then drowned them in the Rioni River.
The people who found the bodies of Constantine and David heard the voice of God, who ordered them to carry the bodies of their brothers to that place until dawn overtook them. As a result, the procession came to the site of the burned church. David and Constantine were buried there. Later, on the same spot, Bagart the Third erected a temple, which he called Motsameta (translated from Georgian as “martyrs”).

In 1844, the temple was restored and a dome was installed there. And in 1923, the Soviet authorities closed the temple, and the bodies of the martyrs were pulled out of the graves, tied to horses and dragged along the roads to Kutaisi, after which they were thrown into the river. The locals managed to pick up some of the remains of the relics and preserved them. Now the relics are stored in the main temple on a hill near the entrance (on the right).

Note! It is forbidden to enter the territory of the monastery in skirts, shorts. At the entrance, visitors are given a black cloth to wrap around before entering Motsameta.

If you have not yet chosen where you will live and want to save money when booking, we recommend using the RoomGuru service. Firstly, there are hotels, apartments and guest houses from many different booking systems, and you will not miss a worthwhile option. Secondly, you can immediately compare prices for one place in different services and book where it is cheaper (not always this is Booking!).

The cave has a rather impressive size, which helped to apply the ancient legend to modern circumstances. Thus, it received the name of the cave of Prometheus. That is what appears in all the guidebooks.

Today you can see the cave near Kutaisi on video. And it is better to visit there to admire not only its huge vaults, but also the magnificently designed dynamic lighting. The researchers say that it stretches for 11 km, but tourists will be guided along the route for only 1.5 km. Stalagmites and stalactites illuminated by multi-colored lamps, underground halls over 21 meters high and mysterious cave rivers will become a real adventure for any tourist.

Monastery Motsameta

If you want to bring photos from Kutaisi that will impress all your friends, you should definitely visit the Motsameta Monastery, which is located between the green Imereti hills. The general view of the monastery inspires delight in tourists - its turrets are so comfortably hidden in the greenery. It is also known as the Temple of Saints David and Constantine.

There is a legend that when the Arabs came to the lands of Georgia, they burned the Christian church that once stood here, and they began to impose it on the local population. Then the princes came to the defense of the shrines - the brothers Konstantin and David. They gathered a militia and went on a campaign against the Arab troops. However, the battle was lost, and the Arabs offered the princes themselves to accept Islam voluntarily. The brothers refused and were drowned in Rioni.

Local residents took the bodies of the princes who died for their faith from the river and carried them to the mountains. By sunset, the procession ended up on the territory of the destroyed Motsameta Church. Here the princes were buried, and later, in the XII century, a new church was built here, which was named after David and Constantine. Later, a monastery was built here.

Tourists who come to rest in Kutaisi can see a shrine with the relics of Christian martyr princes in the temple. There is an opinion that if you crawl three times under this cancer, then your wish will come true.

For this, a small passage was even made under the tomb. You can also climb to the observation deck of the monastery, from which you will have a stunning view of the canyon. And on October 15, Motsametoba is held here every year in honor of the princes.

Katskhi Pillar

Another incredible attraction of the Kutaisi neighborhood is the Katskhi pillar, which is otherwise called the Church in the sky or the Fortress of Solitude. This is a large monolith, the height of which is 40 meters. On a flat top in the pre-Christian era, sacrifices were made to the god of fertility, and then a church was built - historians cannot determine the exact date, naming the interval in the 6th-8th centuries.

When the Turks invaded Imereti, they managed to destroy this church on the Katskhi pillar, after which religious pilgrimages stopped here. And only in 1944 climbers managed to climb the monolith, followed by historians and, finally, pilgrims.

In the zero years, at the top of the pillar, the church was rebuilt, and the builders used the building stone left over from the ancient temple. Today this church bears the name of St. Maximus the Confessor. Some time ago, at the foot of the pillar, the remains of a man in a monastic robe were discovered.

Tourists can climb the Katskhi pillar by a small iron ladder. At the top you can see not only the temple itself, but also a wine cellar, a crypt and a fortress wall. Once on this cliff, many feel that they are getting closer to God.

Tourist places of the ancient city

Of course, while relaxing in Kutaisi, one cannot help but take a walk along its streets. Of particular interest to tourists is the old city, or rather, its historical part. Until now, visitors are striving to get to the Rioni coast, where houses hang right over the water.

It is also worth seeing the Colchis Fountain, the local Botanical Garden, walking along Queen Tamara Street and visiting the Jewish Quarter. Kutaisi offers its guests an unforgettable vacation filled with the color of Imereti, indescribable and most vivid impressions.

Address: Kutaisi

Kutaisi, Imereti, Georgia

Kutaisi is a city of extraordinary beauty in western Georgia, located on two banks of the Rioni River. The city received its historical name from the word "kuato", which is translated from ancient Georgian as "stony" and characterizes the location of the city on a steep rocky terrain. Arriving in, you not only find yourself in an ancient southern city, you find yourself in a corner of the ancient history of this hospitable country.

Kutaisi is one of the most ancient cities in the world. The first memos confirming its existence date back to the 6th century BC. The population of 150 thousand people - the city ranks 2nd in terms of population in Georgia.

Geographical location and structure of the city

flag of Kutaisi

Kutaisi is located on the Colchis lowland. Previously, most of the city was occupied by picturesque forests. Today, fruits are grown here, including tropical fruits and tea. Landscapes are simply mesmerizing. Architectural buildings, parks, boulevards, squares and small streets adorn bright green spaces. And all this against the backdrop of beautiful mountains.

coat of arms of Kutaisi

Kutaisi is the administrative center of Imereti. Imereti is a historically formed region in the west of Georgia. The area of ​​the city is 70 sq. km. The city is conditionally divided into two completely different parts - the old and the modern city. The Rioni River stretches along their border.

Kutaisi on the map of Georgia

The Old Town is located on the right bank of the Rioni and is a center of architectural masterpieces, historical and cultural attractions. Here you can see the remains of the fortress wall, which at the end of the 19th century surrounded the old city. The residential quarters of the ancient part of Kutaisi are picturesque one-story and small two-story houses, densely standing on the river bank, like swallows' nests.

Residential quarter in the ancient part of the city

The Parliament of Georgia is located in the old part of the city, which is why Kutaisi is also called the parliamentary capital. This is an architectural creation made of glass in the shape of a hemisphere.

The modern part of the city is the opposite of the historical one. It stretches along the left bank of the Rioni River. Numerous skyscrapers rise here, which are surrounded by trimmed and well-groomed lawns. Modern sculptures rise on the streets, and the roads themselves are paved with paving slabs.

The old and modern city are connected by numerous bridges across the river. They offer a beautiful view, emphasizing all the splendor and picturesqueness of the city of Kutaisi.

Bridge connecting the ancient and modern part of the city

Climate and weather

The climate of Kutaisi is subtropical, with high humidity, hence the weather. In spring and autumn, heavy rains often occur here, which overwhelm the river and overflow its banks. Often the streets of the city are flooded with water. These seasons are also accompanied by strong winds.

Rainy autumn day in Kutaisi

Winter pleases with warm weather, and summer is hot here. The average temperature in winter is 4-6C above zero. The coldest month according to meteorologists is January. In summer the average temperature is 22-25C. However, in summer (most often in August), as a rule, the temperature is 35C for 1.5-2 weeks.

The strongest wind in Kutaisi was recorded in 1979. The speed of the hurricane was 49 m/s.

Holidays

A special place among folk traditions is occupied by the celebration of the day of the city, which is called Kutaisoba. The beginning of this custom was laid by the wife of the Governor of Kutaisi Sasha Chikovani on May 2, 1905. On this day, she held a charity event, which consisted in collecting help for sick people.

On this day, Sasha Chikovani went out into the street and began to sell chamomile, all the inhabitants of the city joined her: from women from high society to schoolgirls. All funds raised were donated as humanitarian aid to hospitals.

Since then, the inhabitants of the city every year on May 2 celebrate the day of the city or Kutaisoba, paying tribute to traditions and doing good deeds.

Dialect

The Georgian language has several dialects. Throughout Imereti and in Kutaisi in particular, the indigenous people speak Georgian with the Imeretian dialect.

This dialect has minor phonetic differences. For example, the name of the city in this dialect sounds like "Kuteisi".

The speech of the inhabitants of the city is fast, loud, temperamental.

Attractions in Kutaisi

Kutaisi is a large and significant city. It has a lot.

The main attraction of Kutaisi is rightfully considered to be a huge and majestic cathedral located on the Ukemerion hill. The temple can be seen from all sides of the city, so finding it is not difficult. The temple is more than a thousand years old, it was erected in 1003. Tourists are advised to visit this architectural monument without fail.

Kitchen

The most delicious and refined in Georgia is the cuisine of Imereti, the center of which is the city of Kutaisi. The peculiarity of the cuisine is the preparation of dishes with a large number of vegetables, herbs, spices and spices.

The traditional pkhali salad is made from beets, radishes, onions, cilantro, basil and spinach. The ingredients are boiled and seasoned with a sauce of oil, garlic and spices (suneli hops, red hot peppers, coriander).

Few people will be left indifferent by Imereti. They are dough rolled into a bag with meat, mushroom or cheese filling and, of course, spices.

From meat, Imereti cuisine prefers chicken. It is served with various sauces: isrim-makwali (from blackberries and green grapes), walnut, tomato, garlic and others.

Chicken with sauce

Even the most sophisticated gourmets will be captivated by Imeretian khachapuri stuffed with lightly salted cheese made using a special technology. And the main bakery product in Kutaisi is lean cakes made from corn flour - mchadi.

In restaurants and cafes in Kutaisi, the menu, as a rule, is compiled only in Georgian. Contact the waiter, he will help you place an order.

Kutaisi is a very attractive city for tourists. It attracts guests with historical monuments, beautiful nature and clean mountain air. If you visit here once, this city will forever remain in your heart.

Do you want to come here? The Viva-Georgia team will organize an excursion or tour for you, draw up the best travel route and provide any other assistance during the trip.

Temple of Bagrat(although it's better Cathedral of Bagrat or simply Bagrati). Formally - the temple of the Assumption of the Virgin, towering on the hill Ukimeroni and is one of the main attractions of Imereti. The temple was erected on the initiative of King Bagrat III, and the monarch was subsequently buried in it - historically, Bagrati is a symbol of united Georgia.

It was here that 16-year-old David, the future great king of Georgia, David the Builder, was crowned. Subsequently, the temple of Bagrat was very badly damaged during the invasion of the Turks and from 1691 for three centuries it stood dilapidated. When its restoration finally began, it turned out that there were almost more opponents of its very idea than supporters (oddly enough, the Patriarchate of Georgia was among the opponents).

Since 1994, the temple has been included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list, and this organization even tried to stop the barbaric (as it turned out) restoration of the Bagrat temple, but the church was nevertheless completed - which further increased the number of opponents of the restoration. In general, not everything is going smoothly with restorations in Georgia: deplorable results can be found in Batumi, and in, and in Akhaltsikhe ().

Returning to the Bagrati temple - there is not much to look at inside, but it offers a beautiful view of another landmark and religious shrine of Georgia: (on the left across the river).

Bargat temple address: Kutaisi, Bargati street.

A road leads from the embankment of the Rioni River to the Bagrati temple, covered with paving stones that are not the most pleasant to drive - you can drive to the temple itself, or you can leave the car by the river and walk up the street-staircase from it to Bagrati.

How to walk up to the Bagrati temple:

Coordinates 42.27467, 42.70309- from this place, from the Rioni embankment, a staircase rises to the Bagrati temple.

How to get to Bagrati by car:

Coordinates 42.27724, 42.70406, the road is a narrow steep serpentine with many bends.

2. Kutaisi Botanical Garden

In terms of picturesqueness, the Botanical Garden of Kutaisi, of course, is inferior to its own with its observation decks and gorgeous sea views, and indeed - but as a place for walking in the summer heat, it is very good. And it also has its own unique attraction: a chapel built in the trunk of a 400-year-old oak.

Its diameter is 2 meters, so three people fit freely inside.

A ticket to the Botanical Garden costs 1 GEL, open from 10:00 to 22:00.

Main entrance coordinates: 42.27995, 42.70946.

Excursions in Kutaisi from local residents

Curious and sociable travelers who want the most O If you want to feel the unique atmosphere of the second capital of Georgia and get to know its amazingly hospitable and charming residents, I recommend ordering an author's tour of the city "from the first person" - your guides will be local residents, journalists, historians, artists and just connoisseurs of their native places.

Below is a selection of the most interesting and popular excursions in Kutaisi and Imereti according to traveler reviews. To view all available options, click View All. At the booking stage, you will need to pay online only 20% of the cost of the tour - the rest of the amount is given to the guide before it starts.

3. Rioni embankment on the northern bank of the river

In the fall of 2017, reconstruction was in full swing here - soon, I hope, it will be a very pleasant place for walking. On the southern shore, you won’t be able to walk along the river: there are residential buildings right next to the water.

Coordinates: 42.27459, 42.70316.

4. Chain bridge

Automobile and pedestrian bridge over the Rioni River, one of the three (along with the White and Red) bridges-sights of Kutaisi. The earliest version of the bridge in this place dates back to the fifth century AD - then it was a traditional arched stone bridge for the Caucasus. A relatively modern design appeared only in 1770 - then the bridge was called Arkieli. It became a chain in the middle of the 19th century, when chains began to be used to support the wooden parts of the bridge. Later, at the end of the 19th century, another reconstruction took place and the wooden supports were replaced with metal ones.

Coordinates: 42.27391, 42.70229.

5. Green market

Green Market Kutaisi occupies a whole block in the city center (in this way it resembles the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which I love dearly) between Lermontov and Paliashvili streets. One of the entrances to the market is located on Paliashvili street, near the house N23.

Coordinates: 42.27158, 42.70168.

Near the northern entrance to the Green Market is the house of the "Georgian Gaudi":

The architect is clearly no stranger to the aesthetics of the great Barcelona.

A little to the west of the market, you can find a house with this bas-relief:

Some mistakenly consider it a decoration of the entrance to the market. In fact, this is an ordinary residential building and it has nothing to do with the market. If you stand with your back to the bas-relief and turn your head to the right, then in the distance you can see residential buildings, beautifully spread out on the opposite bank of the river.

6. Central Park

Cozy green area right in the city center. The entrance to the park from David the Builder Square is marked by a colonnade made in the style typical of all southern cities of the former Soviet Union.

In addition to the colonnade, the park has a nice fountain and many sculptures, among which one can single out a monument to the composer and People's Artist of the Georgian SSR Zakhary Paliashvili.

Coordinates: 42.2713, 42.70409.

7. David the Builder Square and Colchis Fountain

Until 1924, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stood on this site. In the 1920s, the temple was demolished, and a statue of Lenin was placed in the center of the square, later replaced by a statue of Stalin. In 1956, the statue of Stalin suffered the fate of the cathedral and the statue of Lenin, and in its place a flower bed was laid, on which, however, the flowers did not take root for some reason - apparently, the energy there after all these upheavals was the same.

After Georgia gained independence, an equestrian statue of King David appeared on the square, and in 2011 - Colchis fountain, which is enlarged copies of ancient gold artifacts found by archaeologists near Kutaisi. There are horses, sheep, deer, tours and a copy of the famous Tamada:

Coordinates of the Colchis Fountain: 42.27145, 42.70545.

8. Theater named after Lado Meskhishvili

The theater was founded in 1861, although its beautiful classical building was built a year earlier. In 1940, the theater was named after Lado Meskhishvili, who at a certain stage was its artistic director.

Address: Kutaisi, Gelati street. Coordinates: 42.27234, 42.70548.

If you face the theater, and then go around it on the left, then you will get to Paliashvili Lane, notable for two interesting museums: first on the way there will be Sports Museum, and immediately after it - Museum of Military History of Georgia.

Gelati Street begins almost from the theater building, which leads directly to.

9. Historical Museum of Kutaisi

Historical Museum them. brdzenishvili was founded in 1922 and in it you can see everything that archaeologists have dug up during numerous excavations in Imereti and in general in Western Georgia.

An adult ticket costs 3 GEL, students 1 GEL, students 2 GEL, preschoolers are allowed free of charge. You can take an individual tour for 10 GEL.

Address: Kutaisi, Pushkin street, 18. Coordinates: 42.26879, 42.7042.

10. Queen Tamara Street

This street is one of the most important on the Kutaisi left bank. A little over a kilometer long, it goes from the Meskhishvili Theater to the railway station. This is the area where most of the hotels and guesthouses Kutaisi- not on Tamara Street itself, but on neighboring streets. Arriving in Kutaisi by train, it is along Tamara Street that you can walk to the city center.

Coordinates: 42.2649, 42.70839.

11. Railway station Kutaisi-I

The railway station Kutaisi-I is formally the main station of the city - in fact, the main passenger flow goes through the Kutaisi-II station, located on the right bank of the Rioni, in the new part of the city. Both city stations are interconnected by bus route N1.

Architecturally, the station is a two-story building with a glazed wall - from the balcony on the second floor there is a wonderful view of the tail of the horse of David the Builder:

And also to the prospect of the same David the Builder, going west from the station.

Coordinates: 42.26139, 42.71275.

12. Church of David and Konstantin Mkheidze

The church is located 200 meters north of the railway station. Saints David and Constantine are the very princes in whose honor the famous (“Martyrs”) was built in the vicinity of Kutaisi. The princes had the misfortune to rule Imeretia when it was subjected to a devastating invasion by the Arab caliph Murvan the Deaf. David and Constantine were able to win the first battles against him, but the forces were too unequal and in the end the Arabs defeated their small army. Having taken the princes prisoner, the caliph set them a condition: accept Islam or die a martyr's death. The brothers chose the latter - after 9 days of torture they were thrown off a cliff into a river.

Coordinates: 42.26458, 42.70906.

13. Royal Quarter of Kutaisi

The "Royal Quarter" is often referred to as the historical center of Kutaisi, consisting of 6 streets and 38 buildings, which were built mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Mon Plaisir arch is the symbolic entrance to the Royal Quarter. The French name means "my pleasure" - you enter the arch and get a huge amount of this pleasure from walking around one of the most pleasant and exquisite places in Kutaisi.

The arch is located at the very beginning of the alley between Ninotsminda (St. Nino) and Tsisperi Kantselebi streets.

Coordinates 42.26983, 42.70282.

To the north of the Royal Quarter, at the intersection of Ninotsminda and Rustaveli streets, is located Kutaisi Opera House (coordinates 42.27081, 42.7026):

To the west of the Royal Quarter is one of the most famous sights of Kutaisi: white bridge across the Rioni river.

14. White bridge

There are three bridges parallel to each other between the Royal Quarter and the hill with the Gabashvili Park: White, Red and automotive Rustaveli bridge.

white bridge was built in 1872 and from the moment of its creation to the present it has been painted exclusively in white. The bridge has its own attraction - a bronze sculpture of a boy with two hats:

This is a character in Shangelaya's film "An Extraordinary Exhibition" of 1968, personifying the ideal of art. The White Bridge offers a good view of the famous white stones of Rioni and the houses of local residents. To the north of the White Bridge there is an automobile Rustaveli bridge, from which you can admire the views of the White Bridge, the Red Bridge, the Bagrati Temple and the panorama of residential Kutaisi on the western bank of the Rioni.

Coordinates: 42.26875, 42.7005.

15. Red Bridge

The first metal bridge in the Caucasus - its construction was completed in 1862, and the metal parts were ordered in France. After the construction was completed, the bridge was painted red - and since then this color scheme has been carefully maintained.

WITH red bridge offers a view of the real Kutaisi, without tourist gloss:

The long hands of Georgian restorers have not yet reached this part of the city, so it looks quite vital. But the Bagrati temple is no longer visible from the Red Bridge.

Coordinates: 42.27141, 42.69904.

16. Okros Chardakhi

Okros Chardakhi(translated as "Golden Tent") is located on the very banks of the Rioni River, from the side of the Royal Quarter. Once upon a time there was a palace of the Imeretian kings, from where they ruled the country - they say that under a large plane tree in the garden of the palace they administered justice and approved the death penalty. Today, on the site of the palace, there is a two-story house-museum in which you can see objects that once belonged to representatives of the Bagrationi royal dynasty.

Address Okros Chardakhi: st. Kantselebi (next to the Tetri bridge). Coordinates 42.26993, 42.70051.

Not far from Okros Chardakhi and the Rustaveli bridge (between the art gallery and the park with the lower cableway station) tourist information center, where you can get a free map of the city and get a lot of useful information ( coordinates 42.27067, 42.70034).

17. Cableway Kutaisi

Literally a stone's throw south of Okros Chardakhi in the park is the lower station of the Kutaisi cable car - its cabin will take you to the top of the hill on the opposite bank of the river, to the Gabashvili park in 3 minutes and 0.5 GEL.

Ancient Kutaisi cable car

The cable car looks very vintage, and many city guests enter its rusty cabins with obvious apprehension.

Coordinates of the bottom station of the cable car: 42.26957, 42.70087.

18. Park them. Gabashvili

Gabashvili Park- these are old Soviet attractions and the best views of Kutaisi. The rides are open from 12:00 to 20:00. A ride on the Ferris wheel costs 1 lari (25 rubles).

View of Kutaisi from the top of the ferris wheel

If desired, from Gabashvili Park along Kazbegi Street, you can walk to the Bagrat Temple.

Park coordinates: 42.27117, 42.69708.

19. Newport Street

Newport street- this is one of those corners of Kutaisi, thanks to which the city has a stable reputation as a quiet and cozy place (at least this is true in relation to its historical part).

The street owes its name to a small town in British Wales, with which Kutaisi is sister cities.

Coordinates: 42.27343, 42.70732.

20. Jewish Quarter of Kutaisi

Once there were about fifteen thousand Jews in Kutaisi and they began to migrate to the Caucasus in biblical times, after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. And now there are only 40 families left in Kutaisi. According to the owner of Kutaisi Guesthouse "Gelati"(a Jew, by the way), now sometimes even a prayer in the synagogue cannot be held - according to the Jewish canon, at least ten parishioners must be present for the service in the synagogue.

On Boris Gaponov street, which can be considered the central axis of the district, there are three synagogues - and all of them were built in the 19th century.

Monument to Boris Dov Gaponov - among other things, he became famous for translating Rustaveli's "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" into Hebrew

Jewish Quarter coordinates: 42.27417, 42.7092.

21. Cathedral of the Annunciation

The Annunciation Cathedral on Varlamishvili Street has a very unusual appearance:

The fact is that the temple was built as an Orthodox church (Sofia Church), then for some reason it was “borrowed” to local Catholics, and for about thirty years it was a Catholic church. The Catholics built this unusual columned portal with Latin inscriptions.

Under Soviet rule, the temple was closed, and at the end of the last century it was reopened - but already as Orthodox. As a result of all these events, a very interesting eclectic mix of two architectural styles was obtained, which rarely intersect in life.

Coordinates: 42.27498, 42.70594.

22. St. George's Church

Unlike the Cathedral of the Annunciation, St. George's Church built according to all the canons of Georgian Orthodox architecture. According to legend, the temple was erected in the very place where St. George appeared in a dream to King David the Builder.

Address: 32 Newport Street. Coordinates: 42.27548, 42.70917.

If you pass through the Jewish Quarter along Gaponova Street past the synagogue, then at the level of house number 62 there will be a turn to two interesting sights of Kutaisi: the historical and architectural complex Mtsvane Kvavila And dam on the Rioni river.

23. Mtsvane Kvavila

Mtsvane-Kvavila Complex("Green Flower") consists of three churches, a defensive tower and a pantheon for the burial of prominent public figures. The Mtsvane-Kvavila tower is a quadrangular two-story building with walls up to 2 meters thick. From the oldest of the three churches, only ruins remain - they seem to be being restored, but so far you can still climb on them. Next to the ruins stands the Mtsvane Kvavila church, and about two hundred meters from the church there is an ancient chapel:

Ancient, but fully functional. Ten people fit inside - the rest stand the whole service on the street. On all sides the chapel is surrounded by the graves of the pantheon.

Chapel coordinates: 42.27579, 42.71626.

Nearby is a quarter with private residential development - one sociable and hospitable grandfather named Eduard invited me to visit. To my request: “My dear man, I would like to buy real homemade wine somewhere here ...” there was such an answer: “Eh, why buy it ?! I'll give you a drink!" And he poured me a liter of dry homemade red wine, and also arranged a short tour of his winery - for example, he showed me a crusher, which his father and grandfather used to crush grapes.

24. Kutaisi Dam

The next attraction of this guide to Kutaisi is the Rion hydroelectric power station, which was built in 1928-1933 in order to prevent regular spring floods in the city.

Rionskaya HPP

You can get to the dam both from the south coast of the Rioni and from the north.

Coordinates 42.27831, 42.72241- this is the southern coast of Rioni, exit from the old city. The place where the metal staircase to the dam begins.

Coordinates 42.27935, 42.72128– it is convenient to travel along them from any place on the northern coast of the Rioni, for example, after visiting the Botanical Garden.

On the dam, I somehow caught two fishermen. I'm completely off topic (not a fisherman even once) and I don't understand how you can fish right after these spillways? Although, it is possible that just after all these rapids, the fish is so fucked up that it bites everywhere and everything indiscriminately ..

25. Georgian Parliament building in Kutaisi

Since 2012, the country's parliament has been sitting not in Tbilisi, but on the western outskirts of Kutaisi - in a futuristic building built specifically for this purpose, resembling a glass turtle.

Three hundred meters to the west is the Official Pass Office - the checkpoint office, in other words. If you wish, you can organize an excursion to the parliament building there - but it is better to arrange in advance by calling +995 577 55 2018 (Shota).

The procedure is as follows: at least one day before the desired date, you need to e-mail [email protected] send a message with the names, surnames and passport numbers of everyone who wants to participate in the tour. After that, Shota will tell you on which specific day a visit is possible (it is necessary that there is no parliamentary session on this day).

Parliament address: st. Irakli Abashidze. Coordinates: 42.26449, 42.65969. You can get from the city center to the Parliament building by minibuses 4 and 100, from the Red Bridge to the bus station, and from it you need to walk about 1 kilometer along April 9 Street.

Just to the west of the Parliament building is what remains of the famous Kutaisi Automobile Plant, which once produced Colchis trucks. By the way, he was famous for the outstanding, even by the standards of the Soviet automobile industry, the low quality of his products. , a balneological resort, (“Georgian Meteora”), a mining town famous for its cable cars (the cabins look like a prototype of a pepelats from the movie “Kin-dza-dza”) - and much more. I bring to your attention a complete guide to Imereti - with its help you can easily plan trips to the most interesting places in the vicinity of Kutaisi:

Where to stay in Kutaisi

At the time of writing this article, I had already been to Kutaisi eight times - and from the experience of those trips, the selection presented below was obtained (in it you will also find the most compelling, exclusively “Georgian” reason why it is desirable to settle in guesthouses, and not in hotels or apartments ):

Transfer to Kutaisi from GoTrip

If you are traveling to Kutaisi with a family or a large group, it may make sense for you to think about a transfer right to the door of the booked hotel. Comfortable transfers throughout Georgia can be ordered using the local online service go trip.

During the booking process, you have the opportunity to choose a class, brand of car and a specific driver based on the reviews of previous passengers. Given the jigit driving style of Georgian street taxi drivers and their cars that are far from always serviceable, this is a very useful option. The price on the site is final, you don’t have to bargain with anyone.

More articles about Georgia:

Life hack: how I save on insurance

Good working insurance was not easy to find before, but now it has become even more difficult due to the constant fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate against world currencies. I recommend that everyone interested in this topic read a detailed article about - this may well save you from unnecessary overpayments and more serious troubles.

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