Region : Imereti
Municipality : Kutaisi
Kutaisi - one of the ancient and beautiful cities of Georgia is situated in a very attractive region - Imereti. The first settlements of the city appeared in the place, where the river Rioni’s deep and narrow valley turns into the plain. Kutaisi is among the world’s ancient cities. Ancient Greek mythology and historical sources ascribe it to the “Minoan Era” (XVII-XV centuries BC.).
Famous “Argonautica”, which tells us the stories of no less than 3300 years behind, is fully referred to the hegemonic city of Kutaisi.
From ancient times and in the feudal era Kutaisi intensively kept the status of the first city in Western Georgia (Kolkheti, Egrisi, Lazeti). In the VI century, as the capital of Egrisi - Kutaisi was the place of warfare for Persians and Byzantines. However, with the help of the Christian Byzantines Georgians have retrieved the town. Since VIII c. it was the capital of the united kingdom of Egrisi and Abkhazia. In the X c. the function of the city has increased and in the year of 978 the royal throne of the united Georgia was established in Kutaisi and Bagrat III was crowned as the King. As the symbol of United Georgia he has built the magnificent “Bagrati Cathedral”. Kutaisi was the capital of the united Georgia for 124 years.
In 1089 in Georgia begins the reigning era of David the Builder. In 1922 he released Tbilisi from foreign invaders and the royal throne was moved there. This is the period, where the history of Kutaisi as the capital of the united Georgia ends. During the reign of David the Builder, the unique architectural monument - “Gelati Monastery” was built near the town and the high educational School-Academy was established. Despite the loss of status of the first city, Kutaisi never lost its significant place in Georgian history, it is still cultural, educational and tourist center.
Source: imereti.gov.ge
10 places to visit in Kutaisi
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Category : sightseeings
There are many places in Kutaisi which you should definitely visit before leaving the city.
1. Kutaisi Central Square:
David Aghmashenebeli Central Square is the main, central part of Kutaisi. This is the ancient square where Lado Meskhishvili Drama Theater is located and here is the biggest relaxing park of the city. In the center of the square you will see Colchis fountain, where some elements of the Georgian treasure, according to the archeological findings, are curved.
2. City-Museum:
In the part of city-museum of Kutaisi, Mon-Plaisir arch is significant and the existence of this arch is related to the Georgian film. Here from 1912 Georgian movies were shown. Pushkini street is also part of the city-museum, where you can see many shops and cafe-bars side-by-side in the narrow streets.
3. Green (Spice) Bazar:
Kutaisi central bazaar represents an object of interest for tourists.
Because here you can purchase various Imeretian products and spices.
Kutaisi central bazaar is located on Paliashvili street and works from 8 in the morning till 18 in the evening.
4. Golden Canopy:
Golden Canopy was the residence of the Imereti Kings which is located on the left bank of river Rioni in Kutaisi.
In the II part of the XV century, here a castle of the king Bagrat II of Imereti was located.
Today only one part of the residence building - so called Small Chamber is preserved. The walls of the building are made of riverside and broken rocks. First floor of the building which was designed to protect from flood is opened with the arches from all the sides.
The building was reconstructed in the XIX century and the final face was made in 1960.
5. Bagrati Cathedral:
Bagrati Virgin Cathedral is an architectural monument of the 11th century.
The Cathedral is distinguished both with its cultural-architectural and historic importance and is considered a symbol of unity of Georgia.
The Bagrati Cathedral is one of those monuments from Georgia that in 1994 together with the Gelati Monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nowadays Bagrati is functioning cathedral.
6. Green Flower Pantheon:
The Green Flower Pantheon was founded in 1956. Here famous people, writers and public figures are buried. From the Pantheon there is a great view on the Kolkheti lowland.
Here you can see 19th century church, as well as the ancient defensive tower.
7. The White Bridge:
The White Bridge is 166 years old.
At first the bridge was made from wood.
The wooden bridge was replaced by the iron in 1872 and the iron constructions for the White Bridge were brought from France.
From the historic bridge of Kutaisi other bridges are also visible, including the whole view of the central part of the city.
8. Gaponovi Street:
Boris Gaponovi street is the historical part of the city, where the synagogues built in 1815 and 1886 are located. In this district of Kutaisi, the Jews were living and these synagogues are still functioning.
9. Museums:
Kutaisi Historical Museum was founded in 1912. Nowadays more than 250,000 exhibits are kept in the museum. The archeological department preserves a great number of masterpieces from the bronze and antique ages as well as the ones from the medieval ages. The library of the museum holds up to 40 thousand books and there are up to 800 manuscripts in the fund of the manuscripts, where the oldest one is the Gospel from the 11th century.
Gallery - Kutaisi Fine Art Gallery was founded in 1976, where the painting, graphic, sculptural and applied art works are preserved. 18 of the exhibits are awarded with the movable cultural heritage status including three works of the genius Niko Pirosmani.
10. Ropeway:
The ropeway in Kutaisi is functioning for 56 years and it transfers the passengers from the city center to Gabashvili Park.
From the iron wagons hung in the air one can see the beautiful views of the city.
The ropeway trip for one person costs 1 GEL.