Samtskhe – Javakheti is a region that never stop surprising visitors , from the mineral springs of Borjomi to the ancient cave city of Vardzi. Historically one of the most important centers in Georgia, much of the region today is […]
Samtskhe – Javakheti is a region that never stop surprising visitors , from the mineral springs of Borjomi to the ancient cave city of Vardzi. Historically one of the most important centers in Georgia, much of the region today is virtually unknown to tourists, but this ancient land of cave cities and hilltop monasteries is once again opening its doors to the outside world – especially now that a new road means you can get here in just two hours from Tbilisi.
It is a mountainous, volcanic region, traversed by ravines, springs and lakes , as well as large and ast moving rivers. But this diverse landscape provides a perfect cultivation area for the production of some Georgia’s most famous and best known traditional foods and cheeses. In many villages you can see the local making their own cheese, and at Poka Monastery they make an incredible 18 different types of cheese, including their famous blue cheese. The region is also well known for its wheat which allows a unique type of delicious Georgain bread to be made “Meskhuri Puri”.
The region location is at the crossroads of three civilization contributed to an intense development of relations between the ancient cultures of Georgia, Asia Minor, and the Middle East. Archeological remains show that area was particularly advanced by the Bronze Age and developed further through the medieval period. Today many monumentsstill stand to tell their remarkable stories.
Borjomi Mineral Waters
The most famous and incredible thing about Borjomi is its unique mineral waters that are at least equal of the world’s best. The water is rich in the most important and necessary micro-elements for life and each spring in the region is characterized by the effect these various properties have on the wildlife. There are hundreds of different springs and each one has its own unique taste and temperature.
Bakuriani
Bakuriani, is a great mountain resort of Georgia, is a feast for snow-lovers and skiers. It an internationally known winter sport center, built to Olympic standards and Novices and children equally enjoy their first winter sport steps in this winter paradise.
Off the slopes , ome of the most interesting places to visit in Bakuriani , is the Botanical Garden , which opened in 1910. Over, 1,500 species of plants provide a rich collection of Alpine and Sub-Alpine vegetation.
Abastumani
About 30 km from Akhaltsikhe you reach the famous resort or Abastumani. The village is situated along the river Otskhe , which is crossed by numerous bridges. Its impressive old buildings have witnessed its glorious past , which reached its peak at the end of the 19th C. Today, two of the sanatoria have been restored and reopened to allow a new generation to enjoy the spa and its natural spring waters.
Borjomi – Kharagauli National Park
The Borjomi -Kharagauli national Park is one of the largest in Europe and covers more than 76,00 hectares of native forests and sub-alpine and alpine meadows. The flora and fauna found here is very diverse. Rare and endemic species listed in Georgia’s red Data Book can be found including a wonderful array of mammals. Among large carnivores it is possible to find gray wolves . lynx, and brown bears while roe deer and wild boar can frequently be seen.
Akhaltsikhe Fortress
18th C. Akhaltsikhe Fortress is often called the symbol of tolerance , occupies around 7 hectares and was returned to its original appearance . a church, mosque , minaret, synagogue, as well as Jakelebi Palace, a historic museum, old baths and a citadel, have been restored on the territory of Rabat Castle.
Saphara Monastery
Saphara Monstery is one among most interesting monuments of Georgian architecture . The first information about monastery date back to the 10th C and in the 13-14C. the monastery included 12 churches and chapels. The monastery is surrounded by a wall equipped with an observation tower and even has a fortress where people from neighboring villages used to hide during times of war.
Vardzia
The cave town of Vardzia is one if the most important and impressive historic monuments in Georgia . It has 13 floors connected by a complex system of tunnels
Vardzia was built in 1156 – 1184 and this incredible town quickly grew to consist over 3,000 caves that could accommodate 50,000 people at a time. The Vardzia complex had living quarters, refectories, barns, wine cellars, stabs, drugstores and even libraries. The town had a potable water supply and a sewerage system. A monastery still exists and practices in the caves today.