Which part does Zugdidi belong to? Zugdidi. Georgia. A brief excursion into history
Zugdidi Botanical Garden. Created on the basis of the park of the Dadiani Palace, which truly was his pride. The ruler of Megrelia, Princess Ekaterina Dadiani, née Chavchavadze, in the mid-19th century invited famous European gardeners and ordered seeds of rare exotic plants from Europe, which were planted in front of the windows of the castle. Her sister Nino Chavchavadze, the widow of the great writer Griboyedov, also had a hand in creating the park. The amazing green area covers an area of 26.5 hectares. Some trees in the park are more than two hundred years old, and they are considered absolutely unique specimens in Eurasia.
About five kilometers north of Zugdidi is the village of Rukhi, where the majestic Rukhi fortress, built by Levan II Dadiani in the first half of the 17th century, rises. In 1780, a battle took place near its walls between the army of Solomon I of Imereti and the Turks, which ended in the complete defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Now the fortress is partially destroyed, and the plain on which it is located is overgrown with grass. However, the appearance of the structure has retained its former grandeur and still evokes admiration.
This is a historical mountainous region in northwestern Georgia inhabited by a special ethnic group of people - the Svans. Geographically and historically, Svaneti is divided into Upper and Lower, separated by the Svaneti ridge. This is the most distinctive and mysterious region of Georgia, famous for its ancient watchtowers and ethnic settlements of Mestia and Ushguli.
Mestia- the historical, cultural and religious center of Svaneti - the most original and mysterious region of Georgia, lost high in the mountains.
Mestia is located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, 128 km northeast of Zugdidi, at an altitude of 1500 m. Heroic and courageous Svans live here with their own culture, unique language, traditions and customs that have been preserved for 4000 years!
Svaneti is known for its original architecture and is called nothing less than “The Land of a Thousand Towers”. Since ancient times, the Svans built tall and incredibly strong quadrangular towers at their houses, which simultaneously performed economic and defensive functions. Several dozen such medieval stone houses with watchtowers and residential towers have been preserved in Mestia. The interior decoration of the house, all decorated with carved wood, is very interesting and original. Churches from the 10th to 14th centuries have been preserved in Mestia. All the unique medieval architecture of Mestia is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Svaneti has long been the keeper of Georgian treasures. The village houses the Historical and Ethnographic Museum, which houses unique icons, manuscripts and other relics saved during enemy invasions.
The museum in Mestia has existed since 1936. This small mountain museum, housed in a traditional Svan tower, contains a rich exhibition that rivals the collection of any European museum. Valuable items made of gold and silver collected at different times are exhibited here: icons, jewelry, coinage, hunting accessories, military armor, coins and many other masterpieces of applied art. All this property was voluntarily donated by parishioners for the benefit of the churches (such an ancient tradition of the mountaineers of Georgia). A special place is occupied by the richest collection of ancient Georgian manuscripts of the 9th - 11th centuries. Never have the feet of conquerors set foot on the land of Free Svaneti. This explains the richness of the museum’s collection and the unique decoration of the temples. For many centuries, during enemy invasions, Georgian kings hid all the most valuable things in inaccessible mountain villages. Waves of conquerors rushing through the Caucasus hit inaccessible rocks and rolled back, flowing around Svaneti.
Svan towers. The main symbol of Svaneti is the Svan Towers. There are no such buildings from the early Middle Ages anywhere else in the world.
Towers were built near every house for protection from enemies and natural elements. Special defensive structures were also built: they were narrower and stronger. In case of war or blood feud, they were an ideal shelter for the whole family: women, old people and children could hide there for years.
The towers, built at a great distance, but within the visibility zone, served as a warning in case of approaching danger; a fire was lit on it. Seeing such fire, the neighboring defensive towers also kindled the flames. In this way, the entire gorge was alerted to the danger within a few minutes and put on alert.
Externally, all Svan towers are similar to each other. These are four and five-story stone square structures (5x5 meters) tapering towards the top, with a height of 10 to 25 meters. They were built from rough stones, slate slabs, cobblestones, and held together with lime mortar. For a better overview of the area, several loopholes were cut into the upper part of the towers. The main towers, as a rule, were built on a slope (edge to this slope). It’s not for nothing that Svan towers have such a massive base. It saved them more than once during natural disasters.
Svan towers have been preserved mainly in Ushguli and Mestia. There are several dozen of them here. The youngest of these towers has stood for more than two centuries.
The village is located in the Mestia region at the foot of Chhara, one of the highest mountains of the Greater Caucasus in the upper reaches of the Inguri River. The village of Ushguli is surrounded by glaciers and mountain peaks rising into the sky. It is considered the highest settlement in Europe, as it is located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level.
Ushguli is a fortified medieval settlement consisting of traditional Svan towers, residential buildings and an ancient 11th century church - Lamaria with impressive wall frescoes. Narrow streets rise and fall, always winding among gray stone houses with stern watchtowers. Sometimes there are bridges between the second floors of these tall buildings. Riding under them on horseback, Svan bows his head. The architectural ensemble of Ushguli is a valuable architectural and historical monument, for its exclusivity it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. About 70 families (up to 200 people) live in Ushguli.
Address: Zugdidi
Zugdidi, Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Zugdidi is a city located in western Georgia, 30 km from the Black Sea coast. “Zugdidi” translated from Mingrelian means “great hill”.
The city is relatively young, it was founded in 1918. The population of Zugdidi is 76 thousand inhabitants.
Geographical position
The small town of Zugdidi is located in the Colchis (Rion) lowland in the valley of the Rioni River. The city is the regional center of the Zugdidi municipality and the administrative center of the historical region (mkhare) of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. The height above sea level is 110 meters.
Zugdidi on the map of Georgia
Climate
The climate of Zugdidi is subtropical, warm with high humidity. The hottest months of the year are July and August. During this period, the air temperature is usually 25-26ºС. The coldest months are January and February. The temperature during this period is 2-3ºС and almost never drops below zero.
It rains often in Zugdidi. More than 1500 mm of precipitation falls annually. The rainiest months are June, September, October and November.
Attractions
The main attraction and important historical heritage of the city of Zugdidi is the Dadiani Palace - the residence of an ancient family of Mingrelian princes related by family ties to Napoleon. The beautiful, majestic palace is reminiscent of the castles of Medieval Europe in its architecture.
Dadiani Palace
When the architect Edgar J. Rice created the Dadiani Palace, the prototype for it was the Vorontsov Palace in Alupka.
Now the castle houses a museum founded by the ruler of Megrelia, Prince David Dadiani, in the mid-19th century. The museum houses his personal treasures and historical Georgian valuables. In total, the museum contains more than 40 thousand exhibits, including Napoleon's furniture; icon of the famous Georgian Queen Tamara; ancient monuments from Constantinople; weapons of Medieval Europe, etc.
Around the palace there is a botanical garden of incredible beauty. Princess Dadiani hired the best gardeners from Europe to improve the garden and prescribed seeds of the rarest plants.
Garden around Dadiani Palace
Today, some of the trees in the garden are over 200 years old, many of them are absolutely unique. Due to its location, the Zugdidi Botanical Garden is an ideal place to study subtropical flora. The total area of the botanical garden exceeds 26 hectares.
A few kilometers from the city of Zugdidi there is a historical heritage - the Rukh Fortress. It is famous for the fact that in 1780 a great battle took place here between the Dadiani regiment (with the support of the army of Solomon I of Imereti) and the Abkhazians, who wanted to capture part of western Georgia. The battle ended in victory for Dadiani.
Today the fortress is partially destroyed, but it has not lost its grandeur. Mighty stone walls surrounded by greenery seem to recall ancient wars and battles.
20 km from Zugdidi in the village of Ganarjiis-Mukhuri there is a magnificent (Silver Lake). It is located in the mountains, at an altitude of over 2.5 km above sea level. There is a mesmerizing mountain waterfall nearby.
Lake Tobavarchkhili
The lake and waterfall are difficult to access due to their location in the mountains. However, the harmony that reigns around, the clean and transparent mountain air and the indescribable splendor of nature compensate for all the energy spent on the walking route.
How to get there
The central bus station in Zugdidi is located near the Dadiani Palace. Buses from Tbilisi run every hour and a half (cost 13 GEL).
There is a fast train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi. Travel time is about 6 hours.
Where to stay
Currently, the hotel business is poorly developed in Zugdidi. There are several small hotels and a hostel in the city, the cost of living in which is about $10 per night.
Want to save money while traveling? Write to us! The Viva-Georgia project was created in order to make holidays in Georgia popular and affordable, so we provide discounts from 5 to 25% on and help you rent the best.
Zugdidi is a small cozy city located near the Black Sea coast. The city attracts tourists with its great historical and cultural heritage.
Do you want to come here? The Viva-Georgia team will organize an excursion or tour for you, create the optimal travel route and provide any other assistance during the trip.
City (since 1918) in Georgia, on the Colchis lowland. Railroad station. 50.6 thousand inhabitants (1991). Pulp and paper mill, porcelain and earthenware factory, silk weaving factory; food industry. Theater. Historical and Ethnographic Museum… Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
City. Georgia. Suggested etymologies: from Arab, zug bazaar, market and cargo, didi large or, as more likely, from cargo, zurgi back, ridge. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 ... Geographical encyclopedia
Zugdidi- ZUGDIDI, district. mountains Kutais. lips., during East. war served as the residence of the rulers of Mingrelia. After the battle on the river. Ingure (see this word) the army of Omer Pasha concentrated on October 28. 1855 at Z., from where it continued slowly. advance along the way through... ... Military encyclopedia
District city of Kutaisi province, in 117 ver. to WNW from Kutais, at absolute high 273. In former times it was called Dad and from ancient times was the winter residence of the rulers of Mingrelia. Zugdidi lies near the Chosoushi River, a tributary of the river. Juma. There is a palace here and... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron
City (since 1918) in Georgia, on the Colchis lowland. Railway station 50.6 thousand inhabitants (1991). Pulp and paper mill, porcelain and earthenware factory, silk weaving factory; food industry. Theater. Historical and Ethnographic Museum. * * *… … encyclopedic Dictionary
City (since 1918) in the Georgian SSR. Located in the Colchis Lowland, 30 km from the Black Sea, on the Black Sea Highway and the road leading to Svaneti (Mestia). Railway station on a branch from the Sukhumi Samtredia line. 40 thousand inhabitants (1970).… … Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Zugdidi- city. Georgia. Suggested etymologies: from Arab, zug bazaar, market and cargo, didi large or, as more likely, from cargo, zurgi back, ridge... Toponymic dictionary
Coordinates: 42°30′37″ N. w. 41°51′33″ E. d. / 42.510278° n. w. 41.859167° E. d. ... Wikipedia
This term has other meanings, see Bahia (meanings). Bahia (Zugdidi) ... Wikipedia
ZUGDIDA-TSAISH DIOCESE- [cargo. ზუგდიდისა და წაიშის ეპარჟია] Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) (since April 5, 1995) with pulpits in Zugdidi in honor of the Blachernae icon Mother of God, Tsaish in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy. Theotokos and Tsalenjikha in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord... ... Orthodox Encyclopedia
Books
- My dear Fannichka! , Strauss Emil Category: Memoirs Series: Library of the Russian Revolution Publisher: Kuchkovo pole,
- My dear Fannichka! Letters from the German doctor E. Strauss to his wife F. Wiesel from a military hospital in Zugdidi. Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878, Emil Strauss, This book is a translation into Russian of letters from the German doctor Emil Strauss to his wife Fanny Wiesel from a military hospital in Zugdidi during the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878). Written in the form... Category: Biographies, memoirs and fiction Publisher: Kuchkovo pole, Manufacturer:
Recently, a destination such as Georgia has become increasingly popular among travelers. Indeed, the country of Sakartvelo attracts with its warm hospitality, heartfelt toasts, fiery lezginka, the beauty of wild mountains and perfectly preserved sights. People come here to relax their souls and gain magical power, which is given by friendly Georgians and the Caucasus mountains.
Some facts
One of the cities revered by travelers is Zugdidi (Georgia). It is the administrative center of the Zugdidi region, as well as Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti and the Zugdidi-Tsaish diocese, located in the western part of the country. Translated from Georgian, “Zugdidi” means “big hill”.
The population of the city during the Soviet Union was approximately 110 thousand people. But with the collapse of the USSR and the closure of many enterprises on the territory of Zugdidi, the population of the city decreased to 75 thousand people. Here they mainly speak the Zugdidi dialect of the Mingrelian language, which is considered a classic and standard.
Location
Zugdidi (Georgia) is located at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level. From the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi - Zugdidi is located approximately 300 kilometers away. And it is separated from the nearest settlement on the Black Sea by 30 kilometers. Therefore, many travelers heading to relax on the seashore definitely stop by Zugdidi.
How to get there
There are several ways to get around a country like Georgia. The city of Zugdidi is located in the Colchis Lowland and can be reached by plane, train, bus or car.
If you choose the air route, then in this case passengers are served by the crew of a comfortable aircraft. The ticket price is 150 lari (approximately 3.5 thousand rubles) round trip, travel time is 1 hour. Since the weather in the mountains is often changeable, the flight may be unexpectedly canceled.
The aircraft is a small Canadian-made aircraft that can accommodate 20 people on board. Departs from Tbilisi, from the private Natakhtari airport, which is located near Mtskheta, and arrives in Mestia. You can get from Mestia to Zugdidi by taxi or minibus.
In Zugdidi (Georgia), the railway station is the westernmost in the country. The building, built during the Soviet era, has been perfectly preserved to this day, although it requires major repairs.
Now the city station is an intermediate station for those traveling to Svaneti - this is a mountainous and picturesque region that Georgia is especially proud of. The city of Zugdidi boasts a high-speed train that takes passengers to Tbilisi and back. Travel time is 6 hours.
The cost of a ticket for the Zugdidi - Tbilisi train for a reserved seat is 8.5 lari (202 rubles), if you take a ticket in a compartment, the ticket price will be 18 lari (430 rubles). There are also tickets for the SV compartment - 26 lari (620 rubles) and for 1st and 2nd class seats - their cost will be 24 lari (570 rubles) and 14 lari (333 rubles), respectively.
The most popular way among local residents to get to Tbilisi, and from there to any other point in Georgia, is to use an intercity bus. A bus ticket costs 13 lari (310 rubles). You can also get from Zugdidi (Georgia) to Poti, Rustavi and Chkhorotska. In addition, you can use the services of a private taxi, the cost of which is negotiable.
Attractions
The city of Zugdidi (Georgia) has very modest attractions. Namely, local residents can only boast of the elegant ancestral palace of the Mingrelian princes Dadiani. The Dadiani princes have an ancient aristocratic pedigree, they were related to Napoleon Bonaparte himself. More precisely, one of the Georgian princesses was married to Napoleon’s nephew.
Due to such a well-known relationship, the princes inherited several things of Napoleon, including his death mask. Also, the princes for a long time were the guardians of the Shroud of the Virgin Mary, which can now be seen only on major church holidays.
In addition, their garden brought great popularity to the palace of the Dadiani princes. To create it in the 19th century, the then ruler of Megrelia, Princess Dadiani, invited famous European gardeners who brought with them rare varieties of flora.
Today this place is known as the Zugdidi Botanical Garden, which covers an area of 26.4 hectares. In the modern Zugdidi Garden there are trees that are more than 200 years old, and they are kind of the only specimens on the Eurasian continent.
Where to stay
Tourists in this city are most often in transit - they are heading to the mountainous region of Svaneti. Although there are those who want to get acquainted with the Georgian identity and get to know the traditions of the people better. Such tourists are happy to stay in Zugdidi.
Renting a house in Zugdidi (Georgia) is easy. The same goes for finding a guesthouse. A room in the latter will cost an average of 50 lari (almost 1,200 rubles), but it is advisable to book a room in advance. Here you can also find a house for a few days, which will amaze you with its carved wooden decorations, rich decoration and the friendliness of the owners.
Walking around the city
The city center consists of two squares, which are connected by a boulevard. The length of the Zugdidi boulevard is 511 meters; large trees grow in its center, which in the heat provide wonderful shade and coolness. Along the entire boulevard you can see local restaurants and cafes, as well as the Odishi Hotel, Atrium Cinema, City Hall and Post Office.
In the southern part of the boulevard there is Freedom Square, on which stands the Samegrelo administration building and several banks. Not far from the square is the Zugdit Cathedral. In addition, from here there is a road to the south, smoothly turning into the highway to Kutaisi and Tbilisi.
The northern part of the boulevard abuts the central square. Teatralnaya Street departs from it, on which the local Dadiani Drama Theater stands. On the other side of the square is the city stadium, past which there is an alley leading to the Dadiani Palace.
Modern history of the city
Compared to other CIS countries, modern Georgia has an interesting history of formation. G. Zugdidi does not stay either. You can find a lot of interesting information about him. He also survived bloody events.
The modern history of Zugdidi begins in 1921, when it was conquered by the Kuban Red Army during the Civil War. After the collapse of the Union, the city became a kind of headquarters for Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who then headed the government in exile. After Georgia's attack on South Ossetia, the settlement was captured by Russian troops with lightning speed and was subsequently liberated by them.
Residents of Zugdidi (Georgia) do not like to remember the past, and it is better not to talk to them about recent events. But their warm hospitality and cordiality will remain in the heart of every guest for a lifetime.
The city of Zugdidi attracts a large number of tourists, there are many attractions here, and there is something to see in terms of architecture. Conditions have been created for various types of recreation; single tourists, married couples, and groups of friends come here. Another advantage of the city is its close location to the Black Sea, the distance to the coast is only 30 kilometers. The location of Zugdidi played a role in its name; it is translated into Russian as “great hill”.
The city is located in a valley, so parts of it are often present in photos of Zugdidi. More than 100 thousand people live here, and the population has not changed significantly over time. Even in times of demographic crises, stability remains here. Tourist demand is an important part of the city's economy, so Zugdidi bypasses many problems.
The following important characteristics of the settlement can be identified:
- subtropical climate (no sub-zero temperatures);
- frequent rains in winter;
- distance to the capital - 300 kilometers;
- conversations in the Zugdidi dialect of the Georgian language.
The last factor must be taken into account in order to find closer contact with local residents.
July and August are best for a beach holiday. June and September are also characterized by hot weather, but frequent rains may interfere with rest. Not everyone comes to sunbathe and swim; Zugdidi has important sights for Georgia that tourists from near and far come to see.
Main attractions
Among all the architectural monuments, the Dadiani Palace occupies a special place, whose majestic appearance puts it on a par with the most famous castles in Europe of the Middle Ages. The creation of this architectural masterpiece was carried out by the famous architect Edgar Rice. The Dadiani princes have family ties with Napoleon, to which great importance is attached.
In the middle of the 19th century, the owner of Megrelia (he was David Dadiani at that time) founded a museum in the castle, which stores the following things:
- pieces of Napoleon furniture;
- icon of Tamara, the famous queen of Georgia;
- samples of weapons from Europe during the Middle Ages;
- various relics from Constantinople.
The museum contains more than 40,000 exhibits; the collection is based on the prince’s personal belongings and valuables important for Georgia.
The botanical garden located next to the castle is characterized by its magnificent beauty. The princess was in charge of its improvement; the best European gardeners were invited for this purpose. Ordering seeds of rare plants gave the garden uniqueness, so that their presence surprises not only tourists, but also city residents.
Zugdidi has many interesting architectural monuments that become popular photo subjects, but another famous place is located outside the city limits. We are talking about the Rukh fortress, where at the end of the 18th century a major battle took place between Georgians and Abkhazians. The partially destroyed walls did not lead to the loss of the majesty of the view. If you look at the map, the fortress is located several kilometers from the borders of the modern city.
How to get to Zugdidi
Many people prefer to travel by private car; finding the city of Zugdi Di on the map will not be a problem. If desired, you can get to Zugdidi in other ways:
- public transport (buses and minibuses);
- fast train (travel time only 6 hours).
Traveling by car has many benefits due to the amazing views you can enjoy along the way. Along the way, you can stop by the beautiful mountain lake Tobavarchkhili, which is located 20 kilometers from the city. Many people take photos in this place, which they then keep as memories for the rest of their lives. By car it will be easier to move around Zugdidi itself, which is quite large. This will make it easier to get from one part of the city to another; you will not depend on public transport schedules and other things.
Where to stay in the city
Those who want to see the sights of Zugdidi come for at least a few days, so a reasonable question arises where to stay for this time. Among the cities of Georgia, Zugdidi is one of the resort cities, so the hotel business is developed at a good level. Each hotel has rooms of different classes; during periods of reduced tourist activity, discounts often appear.
The average cost of living in a small hotel room will be about 10 dollars (500 rubles) per day.
Tourists can be divided into two categories: some immediately have a clear plan of activities, others look for interesting places in Zugdidi on the map after arrival. To ensure yourself interesting entertainment, you should prepare for the trip in advance. In the city you can easily use various services:
- Car rent;
- excursion tours;
The low cost of hotel rooms allows you not to worry about where to sleep. There are also cheaper options in hostels, then the trip will definitely not require serious financial expenses, and you will be able to stay in the city longer. In the summer, at any time you can go from the city to the Black Sea shore to sunbathe and swim. In Zugdidi it is easy to combine business with pleasure, you can have fun and learn something new about the local culture, which is multifaceted.