Kutaisi (Georgia) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Kutaisi with a description, guidebooks and cards.
Contents
Kutaisi City (Georgia)
Kutaisi is the third largest city of Georgia and the capital of the region Imereti. Located in the west of the country on the banks of the river Rioni. Kutaisi is one of the oldest resident cities of the world and one of the most beautiful in Georgia. Suggest that it was founded more than 4 thousand years ago. Since the days of the ancient Colchis Kutaisi considered the capital of western Georgia and the traditional rival Tbilisi. In addition, there are two places of interest here, which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the temple Bagrat and Gelati Monastery.
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Kutaisi is located in the western part of Georgia on the banks of the Rioni River 220 km from Tbilisi and 150 km from Batumi. Average height above level sea ranges from 120 to 300 meters above sea level. Climate – moderate warm. Summer is hot and humid, winters are mild with small frosts. For the year falls more than 1000 mm of rain.
Kutaisi Streets
Practical information
- The population is 152.9 thousand people.
- Area – 70.0 square kilometers.
- The language is Georgian.
- The currency is Georgian lari.
- Time – UTC +4.
- Visa – not needed for up to 360 days.
Story
Some scientists suggest that about 4 were based in Kutaisi thousands of years ago. Archaeological excavations confirm that settlement on the site of the modern city was already in the 5-6th century before ad. The first written mention of Kutaisi dates back to 2 century BC and are associated with the famous poem Apollonia Rhodes “Jason and the Argonauts”.
Since ancient times, Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Georgian kingdoms: Colchis and Egrisi. In the 6th century, the city, as the capital of Egrisi, was between the Persians and Byzantium. From the 8th century, Kutaisi was the capital of the united state of Egrisi and Abkhazia. In the 10th century For more than a century, the city wore the status of a united Georgia.
Kutaisi panorama
In 1122, after the liberation of Tbilisi, Kutaisi lost its status Georgian capital. Despite this, the city has not lost its values throughout the rest of the story. In 1760 he was captured by the Turks, but 10 years later released by Russian troops. In 1810 Kutaisi was annexed to the Russian Empire.
How to get there
Kutaisi International Airport is located 14 km from the city. Flights: Budapest, Vilnius, Kiev, Warsaw, London, Moscow. Buses and trains connect the city with Batumi, Tbilisi and Mtskheta.
Kutaisi Streets
Shopping and shopping
The market is located on Zakharia Paliashvili Street towards Bagrat Cathedral. Here you can buy fruits, vegetables, food, wine and much more. Many shops can be found in the street area. Tsereteli
Food and drink
In Kutaisi, you can find a lot of good and inexpensive restaurants, which are scattered around the historical center. Traditional dishes: Odzhahuri (fried meat with potatoes), khachapuri, satsivi, chakondrili, khinkali, bozartma (soup with lamb or chicken), chikhirtma, chakhokhbili (meat soup), mtsvadi (shish kebab), phali (vegetables with garlic and nuts).
sights
Bagrat Cathedral
Bagrat Cathedral – a medieval temple, one of the masterpieces of the Georgian architecture. It was built in the 11th century by King Bagrat III – the first king of united Georgia. The cathedral was blown up by the Turks in the 17th century and restored only in 2012. The church impresses with its dimensions, interior, old Georgian symbols and ornaments. Bagrat Cathedral is included in the UNESCO list.
Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery – a medieval monastery founded in the beginning 12th century king David the Builder. Included in the list of objects UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a masterpiece of architecture in which The ancient kings of Georgia, including David the Builder, rest. Churches The monasteries have beautiful ancient frescoes.
Prometheus Cave
Prometheus Cave – one of the largest and most beautiful caves Europe, discovered in 1984. Located near Kutaisi among the dense forests of western Georgia. The cave is a huge and amazing underground halls with stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls and cave pearls.
Nicortsminda
Nikortsminda is a medieval cathedral with amazing ornaments and ancient frescoes. It was built in the 11th century by Bagrat III and is located in the historical area of Racha. Nikortsminda Cathedral is located 60 km from Kutaisi.
Shaori
Shaori – one of the most picturesque lakes in Georgia, located in 50 km from Kutaisi.
Hareba
Hareba or Church of the Annunciation – located in the historic the center of Kutaisi and built in the rare Baroque style for Georgia in the 19th century.
Motsameta
Motsameta is a small medieval monastery of the 11th century not far from Kutaisi. It was also founded by Bagrat.
Parliament
Parliament – the ultramodern building of the Parliament of Georgia, built in the 2000s by Spanish architect Domingo Cabo.
Okatse canyon
Okatse – a picturesque canyon with a waterfall that forms eponymous river.
Other interesting places in Kutaisi:
- Old Town, which was significantly restored in last ten years. We recommend to look at the opera house, Drama Theater Lado Meskhishvili, Okros Chardahi, stroll along Rioni seafront.
- Historical Museum – stores more than 150 thousand items Georgian cultural heritage from the early Middle Ages to more late periods. Also in the museum there are rare archaeological finds. period of Rome and Byzantium.
- Botanical Garden – contains about 700 species of tree plants and shrubs.
Video
Maps and guides
City map
