Sights of Megrelia

---

Dadiani Palace

Graceful ancestral palace of the Megrelian princes Dadiani genuine decoration of the city, testifying to its former significance. The surname Dadiani is an ancient aristocratic family known kinship with Napoleon Bonaparte himself! One of the Dadiani princesses was married to Napoleon's nephew Askil Murat. therefore the princes of Dadiani inherited many relics, associated with Napoleon. For example, a few personal items and pieces of furniture of the emperor and one of his three death masks (the other two are in France and England). All this was kept formerly in the Dadiani Palace Family Museum. There are even more a significant relic is the shroud of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, the shroud from Byzantium to Western Georgia were brought by the ancestors of the princes Dadiani in XV century. The Shroud can only be seen on large church holidays.

The estate of the Dadiani princes is also known for its garden, for creating whose ruler of Megrelia, Princess Dadiani (born Chavchavadze, sister of Nino Chavchavadze, widow of Alexander Griboyedov) in the middle of the 19th century, she invited eminent European gardeners and wrote out rare varieties of plants from Europe. Today the Dadiani garden - this is the Zugdidi Botanical Garden. Its total area is 26.4 hectares. Some of the trees in the garden are about 200 years old and are single specimens on the Eurasian continent.

The palace belonged to the sovereign princes of Megrelia David Dadiani and Ekaterina Chavchavadze. The museum complex includes, by the main building, the palace church and the Dadiani botanical garden. The museum in the palace was opened by the prince himself, where under him archaeological finds from Nakalakevi were demonstrated, European and Georgian weapons, a unique collection works of art.

To date, the Historical and Ethnographic Museum of Zugdidi contains about 44,475 exhibits dating from different eras, from the 19th century BC. until the 1st century A.D. Among them, a special place is occupied by church decorations and works of art, relics of the royal and imperial houses of Europe, the famous Dadiani library, which contains one of the first editions "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" and the most ancient "Moktsevai Kartlisai" (Kartli chronicle). Among others, the death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte occupies a prominent place. There are two more similar masks, both in France.

She got here largely thanks to the marriage of a descendant of Murat Ashil to a descendant of the Dadiani family Salome. However, the main place among all the exhibits is occupied by the tunic of the Mother of God, transported here from Constantinople after its fall in 1453. It was kept first in the Temple of Bedi, and then in the Church of Khobi. In 1533 she was transported to the palace by order of Prince Levan Dadiani. In addition, the relics of many saints are also kept here: the elbow of St. Marina, brush of St. Quirike, part of the femur of St. George, part of the bone of St. John the First-Called. An interesting tour of the museum. Photos of the palace on tour Samegrelo attractions:

Martvili Monastery

In ancient times Martvili was called Chkhondidi. In the 7th century, a monastery was built here. holy martyrs. In the 10th century, the Chkhondid bishopric was established here. The monastery church is dedicated to the Mother of God. In the Middle Ages, a famous educational center was located here.

Many famous scientists, writers and scribes worked in the temple, there was a rich library. The central church under the dome, crowned with a cross, is decorated with tiles and carvings, figures and floral ornament of which create a single picture of scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The frescoes of the XIV-XVII centuries have been preserved in the temple to this day. Next to the main building there is a two-story church from the 10th century.

Service of monks

Chkhondidi monks and abbots enjoyed special honor in Georgia, and for a long time it was the abbot of the Chkhondidi monastery who was appointed to the post of Mtsignobartukhucessi (chief adviser), and bore the title “Chkhondideli - Mtsignobartukhucessi and the first vizier of the king”, often carrying out the most important assignments of the king. An example is the appointment of Svimon Chkhondidel-Bediel-Alaverdeli as Anis governor, given to him by King David Agmashenebeli, or the embassy to the camp of Batu Arsen Chkhondideli, entrusted to him by Princess Rusudan.

In the monastery in Samegrelo there was a well-known scriptterium - the place of work of monks-scribes, where books were translated and original creations were created. It was here that the educator and closest associate of King David IV, Giorgi Chkhondideli, Mtsignobartuhucessi, worked and created his works. An outstanding figure of the era of Queen Tamar Anton Gnolistavisdze was also a Chkhondid.

Tsalenjikha Cathedral

Tsalenjikha Cathedral Savior, is located on the outskirts of the city of Tsalenjikha, on a hill. The church is crowned with a dome, and, from the point of view of E. Takaishvili, was built no later than X-XI centuries. According to the preserved inscriptions in Georgian and Greek, the interior of the cathedral was created by order of Prince Valikh Dadiani (1384 - 1396) by Cyrus Manuel Eugenicus, specially summoned from Constantinople. In the eastern part of the cathedral, Levana Dadiani and his wife Nestan-Darejani were reassured.

Tsaishi Cathedral

Tsaishsky Cathedral in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God is one of the oldest cathedrals in Georgia. In the 6th-7th centuries on the territory of the temple there was already an episcopal see. The Tsaish diocese in Lazik is mentioned in the list of episcopal sees from 602-610. The oldest Georgian monument, which mentions the Tsaish bishopric, is an inscription on a stone cross of the 10th-11th centuries, where the Tsaish bishop Ephraim is mentioned next to the name of King Bagrat.

Initially, the congregation of the temple was the population between Khobistskali and Enguri, from the Black Sea to the Unagir ridge. After the Dranda, Mokva and Bedia episcopates were liquidated, the population of Samurzakan also became part of the flock of the Tsaish bishop in Samegrelo.

Modern building

The modern domed Tsaishsky temple was built between the XIII-XIV centuries. Earlier on this place there was a domeless basilica of the X-XI centuries. It is known that from the 11th century to 1823 there were 20 Tsaish bishops, among whom the most important were Malachi Gurieli (1612-1639) and Grigol Chikovani (1777-1823).

Bishop Malachy is known for completely restoring and renovating the Tsaish temple after the devastating earthquake of 1614. Bishop Grigol is known for having managed to enlist the support of Catia III Dadiani and return the lands taken by the feudal lords to the churches. In addition, he built a wall and a bell tower around the church. In 1823, the Russian government liquidated the Tsaish and other Merelian bishoprics. From then until 1879 there was a monastery here. The monastery was one of the main places for the dissemination of education, as a school functioned there. With the arrival of the Bolsheviks in Georgia, the monastery was closed and abandoned. In 1989, with the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, the monastery was restored.

Samegrelo landmarks - Khobi Monastery

The Khobi Monastery is located on the left bank of the Khobi River, 3 km from the current location of the city of Khobi, on the territory of the village of Nohijvari. Previously, it was called Khopsky. The architectural complex includes the temple itself, the belfry and the wall that encloses the monastery, as well as a complex of auxiliary structures. The monastery dates back to the XIII - XIV centuries, by the nature of the building - "hall" type, decorated with frescoes and carvings. Once in the Khob monastery were kept the greatest shrine of Megrelia: the tunic of the Mother of God, the cross of King David named after St. George, with whom he went into battle, as well as icons and relics of saints.

Samegrelo attractions - Poti Cathedral

A unique cathedral of the Byzantine style, which has no analogues in the whole of Georgia.

In 1895, on June 17, the Russian Emperor allowed the Governor-General of Imereti to convene a commission authorized to build a cathedral in Poti. The leadership was entrusted to Niko Nikoladze, who wanted to build a Georgian-style cathedral, creating an appropriate project for this, which, however, was not approved by the central government. Instead, according to the project of architects Zelenko and Marfeld, a project was developed, which is a reduced copy of the Cathedral of St. Sofia in Constantinople, for 2000 parishioners.

In 1906, on August 14, on the day of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, in a solemn atmosphere, Bishop of Guria-Mingrelian Giorgi (Aladashvili) consecrated the foundation of the future cathedral. On May 22, 1907, a cross was erected on the dome of the constructed cathedral. The construction lasted 8 months. The cathedral was painted by the artist of the imperial academy Dumitrashko, the icons were finished in 1908. In the north, the frescoes were made in the Byzantine style, in the south, in the Georgian-Byzantine style, and in the middle of the cathedral in the Russian-Byzantine Orthodox traditions. Among the icons, two are dedicated to St. Nino and St. King David IV. In 1932, the communist government turned the church into a theater.

In 2005, the key to the cathedral was handed over by the President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili to the Patriarch of All Georgia Ilya II. Today, reconstruction work is underway, according to the legend of the cathedral of its original form in the Samegrelo region.

Nakalakevi - a walled city

Nakalakevi is the oldest and most important historical and architectural monument of Georgia. In different sources it is known differently as Tsikhe-Goji and Archeopolis. The earliest discovered archaeological layers of the city date back to the 8th - 7th centuries. The small figurines and two-headed animal miniatures found here also date back to the 8th century BC. The finds of the antique period are of great importance for science: gold, silver, bronze and glass jewelry, as well as various ceramics, both local and imported.

Due to its architecture and location, the city was considered almost inaccessible to the enemy. The fortress was surrounded by 3 walls, there was an extensive system of turrets and gates, making it difficult to approach the fortress. There were secret passages, a path to a cave with a water source, and a channel through which water entered the city.

According to Georgian historians of the 11th century, Nakalakevi was ravaged during the invasion of the Arab conqueror Murvan-ibn-Muhammad "Cruel" (Murvan Kru "Deaf (to pleading for mercy)"). Over time, the importance of the fortress diminished, but by the 16th - 18th centuries. Nakalakevi again gained political weight in the country, representing the residence of the Dadiani princes.

Attractions Samegrelo - Anaklia

Anaklia is a seaside resort and village located near the administrative border of the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic in the Zugdidi municipality (Megrelia side - Upper Svaneti), at the confluence of the Inguri River into the Black Sea, at an altitude of 30 meters above the sea. In 2012, the resort was officially awarded the status of a resort town.

The city contains the ruins of a fortress built in 1703. According to legend, in this place, a child was kidnapped from his mother (Anna) and taken away by ship, in front of the mother who was wailing on the shore. People began to ask what had happened and the answer to their question was "Anna rkianso (kiviso)" - "in Mingrelian - Anna weeps." According to legend, this is why this place was called "Anarkia" (tear-stained), since, unfortunately, the Turks often took slaves from this coast to their shores. Subsequently, the name was transformed into Anaklia.

Today Anaklia is one of the fastest growing resorts in the world. Anaklia is distinguished from others by the presence of magnetic sands and minimal precipitation. Today, 5 five-star hotels are fully ready to receive guests.

Tobavarchkhili lake

This lake makes a magnificent and unforgettable impression on anyone who sees it. Tobavarchkhili (Silver Lake) is located in the village of Mukhuri, at an altitude of 2650 meters above sea level. There is a legend according to which if you swim in the waters of the lake or put any object there, it will inevitably rain. In addition, according to the legend, a bullet fired from one side will never reach the opposite, although the size of the lake is not large.

Canyon and waterfalls of the Abasha river

Gachedili Canyon is located between the villages of Gachedili and Inchkhuri, where the Abasha River crosses the hill and forms a canyon 2400 meters long and 20-40 meters deep. In several places of the canyon there are ledges, one of which in the middle part forms a 12-meter Martvili waterfall. It is possible to take a boat ride deep into the canyon.

At a distance of 3.5 km from the Gachedili canyon in the village of Pirveli Balda, there is the Motena cave. The village can be reached by car. Then, along a path 0.5 km long, you can reach this cave, which is located on the Tabakel ridge located to the east.

Motena cave

The Motena Cave, located at an altitude of 570 m above sea level, was developed in the Eocene layers of limestone rocks. The cave is horizontal and ascending. Its front part has collapsed and appears as an open gorge. The Motena Cave consists of two large halls connected by a narrow gap. The length of the first hall is 30 m, the height is 24-25 m. The total length of the cave is 75 m. Chemical deposits include stalactites and stalagmites, travertine cascades, etc. curtains (travertine is an intermediate form of stone between limestone and marble. One of the most striking examples of the use of travertine is the Roman Colosseum). Of the mechanical formations of the cave, there are blocks and clay layers. A river flows here, bats, spiders, insects nest. There is also a historical building that was used as a fortress in the Middle Ages. It should be noted that the inspection of the cave is not associated with any difficulties.

Toba waterfall

After the inspection, the tourists return to the village of Pirveli Balda, then continue their way by car to the canyon located on the outskirts of the village, which is examined from a bridge thrown over it. After that, along the path they go to the Toba waterfall, make a halt at a distance of 5 km from it in the Jvarshi area, where there is drinking water, the opportunity to find dry branches, firewood for a fire and set up a campground.

Arsen Okrodzhanashvili cave and Toba waterfall

This cave is located at an altitude of 750 m above sea level, it is developed in the upper layers of limestone. The cave, the height of the entrance of which is 25 m, and the width - 11 m, is directed 100 m towards the south-east. It forms a meander (the ancient name of a winding river) 550 m long, which ends with a siphon lake with an area of ​​150 sq. M. The height of the cave vault ranges from 8 to 30 meters. The main trunk contains branches. The first of them is located at a distance of 100 meters from the entrance to the cave, the second is 40 meters higher than the first, there is also a third branch. The total length of the cave is 1150 m. Chemical deposits include stalactites and stalagmites, and columns. Of the mechanical formations, lumps are found - the material of local destruction.

The air temperature is 14.4 degrees Celsius. There is an underground spring in the cave, the debit of which is 0.276 cubic meters. m. per second, and the temperature is 10.2 degrees. The cave is inaccessible. It is possible to move along it on a rubber boat. A cascading waterfall 234 m high flows out of the cave.

Oniore waterfall

After visiting the cave and the waterfall, tourists head along the path to the Oniore waterfall, located at a distance of 2 kilometers to the northwest, flowing from the Toba II cave. The entrance to the cave is possible only with climbing and speleological equipment.

Cave

Toba II cave and Oniore waterfall. The cave is located at an altitude of 750 m above sea level, it was worked out in the upper layers of limestone. The cave, the height and width of the entrance of which is 5 m each, passes into a vaulted hall, from where it straightly departs to the northeast, at a distance of 150-160 m from the entrance it turns to the east and ends with a siphon. The cave has three branches. Basically, there are three halls. the area of ​​the largest - (15x15 m.). The total length of the cave is 235 m. From the chemical deposits, candle-shaped stalagmites, so-called. curtains and microstalactids, mechanical ones - lumps and clay layers. The air temperature here is 12 degrees. A powerful stream of water flows out of the cave, which forms the Oniore waterfall on the surface (height 80-85 m.)

In its middle part, the cave stream forms an elliptical lake (8.5x6 m), and in the upper reaches - a siphon lake. The water temperature is 10.2 degrees, the debit is 42 liters per minute. Bats, spiders, insects nest here. The cave is inaccessible. Here, near the foot of the waterfall, there is a unique willow forest.

Sightseeing Samegrelo - Abash waterfall

It is located at an altitude of 760 m above sea level, and originates from the left tributary of the upper course of the Abasha River. The waterfall flows out of the cave onto a limestone cliff and immediately falls from a height of 30 meters, creating a funnel with a diameter of 12 m at the foot. To the right of the main waterfall there are two small ones, and above them there is a lime cliff 200 m high. Here is Rachkha with abundant sources of karst waters.

Djortsku cave. A two-storey cave closed on one side begins with a large entrance hall, which turns into a corridor 4-5 m long and 3-5 m high. There are two branches at a distance of 100 m from the entrance. The main highway is meander.At the end, it turns into a large hall, on the wall of which a second floor, 30 m long, opens. Along the entire length of the cave there are deposits, mainly stalactites, less often stalagmites. The cave is rich in 3.5-4 meter layers of plastic clay. The air temperature is 16 degrees. A stream of water flows here, the debit of which is 4-5 liters / sec. At the eastern branch, a second stream joins it, which, having passed 15 m underground, comes to the surface in the form of a spring on the left side of the Djortsku river valley in Samegrelo. Bats and spiders nest in the cave. The cave is the site of a Paleolithic man. The remains of the skeletons of a cave bear, lynx, bison and other animals were found here.