Guria Region | გურია

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Where is Guria

Location

Guria is located in western Georgia and is characterised by the beauty of its landscape. It is bordered by Mingrelia to the north, from which it is separated by the Pichori River. The autonomous republic of Adjara is to the south, separated by the Meskheti Mountains. Guria borders the region of Imereti to the northeast and Samtskhe-Javakheti to the southeast. The western side of the region extends about 20 kilometres along the coast.

The municipalities of Lantschchuti, Osurgeti and Tschochatauri belong to Gurien, with Osurgeti as the administrative centre.

Geography

Part of Guria lies in the Odish-Gurian lowlands, while the other part is on the northern slopes of the Meskheti Mountains, which are part of the Lesser Caucasus. Part of the Kolcheti National Park is located within the region.

The region is rich in water, with the Sufsa and Natanebi rivers as the main rivers. There are numerous smaller lakes, the largest of which are Imnati and Japana. Guria is best known for its mineral water, especially Nabeghlavi. The area is densely forested.

Climate

The coastal regions have a humid subtropical climate with mild, hot summers and mild, cold winters. The mountain climate is characterised by mild, hot summers and mild, cold winters. In the mountainous part of Guria, there is a combination of sea and mountain air, which explains the healing properties of the mountain resorts there. The average annual temperature is 12-14 °C.

History and culture

Key historical passages

Guria was initially part of the well-known Colchis Empire (mid-2nd millennium BC to the first half of the 1st millennium BC) and later the Egrisi Empire, which existed between the 2nd and 7th centuries AD. However, numerous archaeological finds in the territory of Guria prove that the first human traces date back to the later Paleolithic period. The finds in Ureki and Zvermaghala include numerous artefacts of the Colchian culture.

In the 7th and 8th centuries, Guria experienced a cultural heyday that coincided with the rise of Christianity. In the 8th century, the region was first mentioned as ‘Gura’. During the feudal period, Guria was one of the provinces of Georgia, known as Saeristavo. The region was ruled by the Gurielis, comparable to a duke in Western countries.

The Eristavis came from the Gurian family of Vardanidze. Simon I Gureili was most likely one of the first Eristavi of Guria. The Principality of Guria was in constant conflict with the Kingdom of Imereti and the Ottoman Empire.

In the mid-18th century, the Principality of Guria was consolidated under the rule of Mamia IV Gurieli. With the support of Erekle II, he tried to expel the Ottomans. The Principality of Guria existed until the mid-19th century. During the Russo-Ottoman War of 1877-1878, Guria was severely damaged. Today, historical Guria has the status of a territorial-administrative region.

Culture

In the Guria region, numerous festivals shape social life. Some have a religious background, others are purely cultural. But no matter what festival is celebrated, it is always an experience.

One of these traditions is the Leloburti, which takes place exclusively in this region. It is a sporty game with a special ball that weighs about 16 kg. It is played in the village of Shukhuti, with the inhabitants of upper and lower Shukhuti competing against each other. The aim of the players is to get the ball into the territory of upper or lower Shukhuti. Leloburti takes place every Easter and attracts many visitors.

Another festival is the horse race ‘Doghi’ in Bakhmaro, a resort in the Gurian Mountains. This race takes place at the end of August, when the season in Bakhmaro draws to a close. It is particularly popular in the region because the local riders are world-renowned and have already established their skills in the 19th century.

The folklore in Guria is very specific. The Gurian ‘Krimanchuli’ represents the highest form of Georgian polyphony. Anzor Erkomaischwili even compared this form of singing to the flight of a swallow. ‘Kanuri’ or ‘Naduri’ are also very popular. The oldest Gurian folk dances include: ‘Farcakuku’, ‘Kalmakhoba’, ‘Dance with Leaves’, etc. The ‘Farcakuku’ is a dance of the victorious warriors and is danced with women.

Cuisine and wine

Gurian cuisine is delicious and offers a variety of vegetarian dishes. Various nuts, including pecans, are also very popular. Guruli cake is a famous Christmas cake from Gurian cuisine that is now popular throughout Georgia, but used to be baked only at Christmas. Guruli is also a type of Khachapuri from the region, filled with cheese and egg.

Mandarins are an important part of Gurian cuisine, as they grow in Guria. The region of Guria is also known for its tea, and tea lovers can discover many different varieties here.

Travel tips for Guria

Sights and activities

Cultural sights

• Unfortunately, there are only a few historical documents about the 13th-century church in the village of Atschi. However, it is known that the princes of Guria paid special attention to this church.
• The monastery of Udabno, also known as the Desert Monastery, is located in the municipality of Chokhatauri and is a rock monastery from the 6th or 9th century. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was an important cultural centre where many books were written or rewritten. Today it is still active and serves as the religious centre of the region.
• The ruins of a fortress in the village of Mtispireti include several archaeological layers from the 4th to the 19th century. Next to the fortress, there was a church and other functional buildings. In the late Middle Ages, there were numerous battles between the Ottomans and the Guris over the fortress. Today, the remains of the fortress are in poor condition and only ruins remain.
• The ruins of the city of Vishvari are from the 5th century and are located near Ozurgeti. The city existed until the 8th century and was abandoned due to the Arab invasion in the 8th century. Today, visitors can see fortifications, ruined churches and other archaeological remains.
• The Schemokmedi Monastery in Ozurgeti is the largest monastery in the region. It consists of a 12th-century church and a newer church from the 16th century. Today it houses a nunnery and is still active.

Natural sights

• Mount Gadrekila, also known as the Sunrise Mountain, rises over 2,000 metres in the climatic health resort of Bachmaro. Its nickname is no coincidence – the sunrise and sunset from this mountain is particularly majestic. Many visitors flock to the region to experience this natural spectacle.
• Gomi Mountain is just as well known as Bachmaro and is also over 2000 metres high. It is particularly famous for its breathtaking sunsets. Due to its proximity to the Black Sea, steam collects there, forming a layer of clouds at sunset. This layer takes on a fascinating colour at sunset and attracts numerous visitors who want to stand above the clouds.
• The Jadji Lake in the Guria mountains is a popular destination for hikers and horse riders. It is located at an altitude of 2650 metres and offers a landscape of outstanding beauty. Since there are no huts, hikers and horse riders must bring their own camping equipment.
• The Sakvachia waterfall, a small waterfall in the village of Azana, is small but very popular with locals and guests alike. The area around the waterfall is beautiful and ideal for a picnic or simply relaxing in nature.

Resorts

The Guria region offers a wide variety of landscapes, including mountain health resorts, a coastal resort and even a resort with the mineral water Nabeghlavi.

• Bachmaro is a high-altitude mountain resort at about 2050 metres above sea level. The mixture of humid sea air from the Black Sea and mountain air has a particularly beneficial effect on people with respiratory diseases. The resort is surrounded by dense coniferous forests, which further improve the air quality. The season lasts from June to early September, but in recent years, freeriders have also been visiting the resort in winter.
• Gomis Mta, like Bachmaro, is a climatic health resort. However, it is known for its unique landscape, which is particularly fascinating at sunset. This is one of the many attractions that draw guests to this resort.
• Nabeghlavi, a small village in Guria, is known for its mineral water of the same name. This water helps with stomach problems and is not only sold in Georgia but also abroad. There are small country houses in the village that are often booked.
• The seaside resort of Ureki is a popular destination for beach holidaymakers who want to enjoy the beautiful sandy coast, the sea and the pine forests. The resort is particularly known for its magnetic sand, which is said to be particularly beneficial for children with joint problems. As a result, the resort is mainly visited by families with children.
• Grigorleti, a neighbouring resort of Ureki, is similar with its beautiful pine forest and magnetic sand, and attracts many families.
• Another resort on the Black Sea is Shekvetili. In addition to the beautiful coastline, pine forest and cosy cafes, the resort offers excellent infrastructure. Parks such as the ‘Zitinatela’ amusement park, the miniature park and the dendrological park make a holiday here even more pleasant.

Activities

• Bathing in the Black Sea: The bathing season in all the above resorts starts at the beginning of June and lasts until mid-October. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses to suit a range of requirements, which can be booked online or by telephone.
• Hiking: There are good hiking trails in the Bachmaro and Gomis Mta mountains. They are marked and it is advisable to either hire a local guide or book the hike through a travel agency. We will be happy to help.
• Horseback riding is also possible in the mountains and excursions can be organised.
• Cycling: The mountains of Guirien offer beautiful opportunities for MTB tours. Mount Gomi in particular is a good destination.
• Photo tours: The Guria region is also interesting for photo trips and tours. The landscape attracts many landscape photographers, who can capture the life of the people and everyday life well here.
• Visiting cultural monuments and museums is a popular activity in Guria.
• Tea tours: Visiting local tea producers is a particularly interesting activity. Tea culture was widespread in the region during the Soviet era. Some small family businesses keep this tradition alive and produce a variety of teas.

Tours in Guria

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