The not very high , wooden Likhi Range dividing the country into Western and Eastern Georgia. It is also a dividing ridge. Rivers in the western part of Georgia flow into the Black Sea and the rivers in the eastern […]
The not very high , wooden Likhi Range dividing the country into Western and Eastern Georgia. It is also a dividing ridge. Rivers in the western part of Georgia flow into the Black Sea and the rivers in the eastern part of the country belong to the Caspian Basin. The large villages located east of the Likhi Range look like towns. Houses are built close to each other. In this settlements every one knows each other. Imereti is a region of hospitable people famous for their sense of humor, also giving way a little to their stubbornness.
There are too many sights to see when you visit Imereti. The dark forests of Kharagauli Region adjoining the Meskheti Range make part of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.
When speaking of the remote past of Imereti one necessary to mention the Kingdom of Kolkheti embracing Imereti as well as other parts of Georgia. Kolkheti and Diaokhi situated east of it were the first kingdoms formed on the territory of Georgia. One of the important cities, Kolkheti, was located on the territory of present Imereti. The site of ancient city excavated in Vani, Kvemo Imereti is the most important among the antique monuments of Georgia .
The limestone rocks of Chiatura (well known for its miners founded in Soviet Union time) and Sachkhere are favorite places for rock climbers. Imeretian caves attract number of amateur speleoligists. Sataplia Cavern , situated near Kutaisi is a well known tourist attraction. Electricity is directed to the cavern. Besides, special are arranged to walk into the depths of the cavern situated in the small reserve of Sataplia. The place is famous for untouched forests and its millions of years dinosaur footprints that were discovered at a rock near the forests.
Imereti is also reach in medieval monuments: the impressive forests of Geguti and Ubisa Monastery in Kharagauli region of the 11th C. painted by a Greek icon-painter. Many historical monuments of different sizes are scattered throughout Imereti , but the most importan antiques are gathered in Kutaisi, the capital of Imereti and it surrounding areas. Kutaisi is the arrival place for many guests of Georgia , due to its airport being one of the main links between Georgia and Europe.
The city in the west of Georgia used to be the capital of Kingdom of Georgia in the Middle Ages. Nowadays it does not offer a lot for tourists, but there are number of sights which simply cannot be missed nearby.
Bagrat III of Bagrationi built the temple of Bagrati on a high hill in Kutaisi. At the end of the 10th C., the king declared Kutaisithe capital of his state.
Bagrat’s descendant David the Builder who liberate Tbilisi in 12th C. built the remarkable Temple of Gelati which was a center of Georgian literacy and culture . The king chose Gelati also as a place of his burial. The entrance gate of the monastery was brought by David after taking the town Ganja in present -day Azerbaijan. Finally, he chose the the place of his own grave. He was buried in the narrow Gate of Gelati to let everyone passing through it tread upon his sinful body…
The conclusion is if you plan to head along Georgia , Imereti is one among a must-be stops on the way !