Imereti Region / იმერეთი

All regions of Georgia

Where is Imereti located?

Location

The region of Imereti is situated in the eastern part of western Georgia and borders several regions: Racha-Lechkumi and Lower Svaneti to the north, Shida Kartli to the east, Samtskhe-Javakheti to the south and Guria and Mingrelia to the west. Imereti is largely separated from these areas by natural borders, including the passes of Nakerala (1235 m) and Shkmeri in Racha, Rikoti (999 m) and Surami in Kartli, and the Zekari Pass (2178 m) in Meskheti. The region is divided into two parts: Upper and Lower Imereti.

Geography

Kutaisi, the second largest city in Georgia, is the administrative centre for numerous municipalities in the region, including Kutaisi, Baghdati, Vani, Zestaponi, Terjola, Samtredia, Sachkhere, Tkibuli, Tskaltubo, Chiatura, Kharagauli and Khoni. Imereti is rich in inland waters with major rivers such as Rioni and Tskhenistskali, including Dzirula, Chkherimela, Kvirila, Rikotula and others.

Climate

The Imereti plain is the eastern part of the Kolkhi Lowland Plain with humid subtropical coastal climate. Mild, warm winters and hot summers are typical, with an average annual air temperature of 11-15℃. The higher elevations are characterised by long winters and cool summers.

The mid-mountain and high mountain areas have a moderately cold to cold climate with snowy winters and short summers. The average temperature in the lowlands is between +13 and +19 °C. Temperatures decrease with increasing altitude in the north.

History and culture

Important historical passages

Traces of human life in the Imereti region date back to the Upper Paleolithic period. In the 13th century BC, an important settlement of Colchic tribes emerged in this area. It was part of the ancient kingdom of Colchis (8th-3rd century BC). In the 1st century, the kingdom of Egrisi (Lazika) emerged in this area, which soon came under the influence of the Roman Empire and was also the scene of conflicts between Greeks and Persians.

In the 8th century, Georgia, including Imereti, experienced a major Arab invasion that posed a major challenge for the region. Despite considerable destruction, the region subsequently became a centre of Georgian political and cultural life, and Kutaisi became the capital of Western Georgia and later of unified Georgia.

The period between the 10th and 13th centuries is considered the golden age of Georgia, which also included the region of Imereti. During this time, important elements of Georgian culture emerged. The monastery and academy of Gelati are an outstanding example of this development and were built in this very region near Kutaisi.

From the late Middle Ages

In the 15th century, after the collapse of the Georgian feudal monarchy, Imereti was established as an independent feudal state under the name Kingdom of Imereti. Initially, it comprised the whole of western Georgia, but over time it split off from the principalities of Odisha, Guria, Abkhazia and Svaneti. The capital of the Kingdom of Imereti was Kutaisi. During this time, Imereti had to fight several defensive battles against the Ottomans.

As the capital of the Imereti region, Kutaisi was an important cultural, architectural and political centre of Western Georgia for centuries. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Imereti was annexed by Russia and incorporated into the Russian Empire as a province.

In the first Georgian Republic (1917-1921), Imereti became an important part of Georgia again. During the Soviet era, it was one of the most important industrial centres. According to the current regional structure, historical Imereti has the status of a territorial-administrative unit.

Culture

The culture of the Imereti region is an integral part of Georgian culture. Here you can find outstanding examples of Georgian architecture such as the monasteries Gelati and Barati and the famous chapel Kazchis Sveti.

The architecture of this region is remarkable. The tradition of courtyard architecture was passed down from generation to generation. The house – imeruli Oda – is located in the centre of the courtyard, adorned with tiled floors and elaborately carved balconies facing the sun.

The population of Imereti hardly differs from that of other regions in their traditional costumes. The men wear chochas with a dagger and gunpowder container. Examples of the beautiful traditional costumes of Imereti can be admired in the Georgian National Museum.

Pottery plays an important role in the daily life of Imereti and is very widespread. One of the oldest pottery centres in Georgia is located in Shrosha. Here, the tradition and secrets of the craft are passed down from father to son. The village of Shrosha is also home to a large pottery market.

Cuisine and wine

The people of the region are very hospitable and their cuisine is incredibly tasty. Nut dishes are common here and herbs are used liberally. Khachapuri from Imereti is known and loved throughout the country. An outstanding dish is roast chicken, which is soaked in blackberry juice and unripe grapes and is known as Isrimakvali.

Wine-making in Imereti is also noteworthy. The region is one of the most diverse wine-growing areas in Georgia, which is due to the different climatic conditions and soil conditions of mountainous Imereti. The grape varieties grown in Imereti include Tsolikauri, Tsitska, Krakhuna, Otskhanuri Sapere, Adanasuri and others.

Travel tips for the Imereti region

Sights and activities

Cultural sights

The cultural monuments include, above all, monasteries, churches and the cathedral. Some fortress ruins can also be found here. The most important are

• Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi is a highlight of Georgian culture and architecture. It was built in the 12th century by David the Builder and marked the beginning of the Golden Age. Inside, there are beautiful paintings to see. An academy worked in the monastery, the ruins of which still exist today. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bagrati Cathedral is slightly older than Gelati Monastery. Built by King Bagrat III in the 11th century, the cathedral was a symbol of unified Georgia. In the late Middle Ages, the complex was severely damaged by the Ottomans and lay in ruins for centuries. The cathedral was reconstructed in 2009 and is now back in use.
• Vani, a multifaceted archaeological site, housed cultural treasures from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic period for over eight centuries, known as the ‘Vani Treasure’. Once a cultural and political centre, it ended up as a temple city in the 1st century BC, with the addition of Neolithic and medieval finds.
• A regional symbol and a place of spirituality is the Katski Pillar near Chiatura, a 40-metre-high natural rock pillar with a small chapel on top. It is believed that the first monks came to this place as early as the 13th century, which is also very attractive for photographers.
• Tschiatura fascinates with its Soviet architecture and everyday life of that time. As a centre of the manganese industry on the Kvirila River, it attracts photographers from all over the world with its old cable cars and Soviet-era buildings. But the city has even more to offer: it has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and the Kotia Cave contains the oldest yarn and the first complete Palaeolithic skeleton to be discovered. Historic remains such as castles and temples bear witness to Chiatura’s medieval history.

Natural Monuments

• The Okatse Gorge is located in the area of the village of Gordi in the municipality of Khoni. It offers a 780-metre-long hanging trail for the adventurous, which takes about 2-3 hours to walk. The trail ends with a panoramic view, ideal for unforgettable photos, surrounded by a picturesque forest landscape.
• Kintscha Waterfall – This natural monument, a three-tiered waterfall cascade, is located in the valley of the Satsiskvilo River. The height of the first waterfall is about 25 m and the second waterfall reaches a height of 70 m. It is located in the municipality of Khoni in the village of Kinchka and lies 843 m above sea level.
• The Sataplia Nature Reserve on Sataplia Hill is home to numerous geological, palaeontological, speleological, zoological and botanical monuments. It was founded in 1935 and is one of the protected areas of Imereti. Visitors can discover dinosaur tracks, a 900-metre-long karst cave, marked hiking trails and magnificent views of the Kolkhi Forest. The name ‘Sataplia’ comes from the bees that live in the mountains and the traditional honey collection.
• The Prometheus Cave in Zkaltubo, Imereti, is a fascinating natural monument. At 1.8 km long and 40 m deep, it is 60 to 70 million years old. The stunning karst cave is home to stalactites, stalagmites and impressive formations that transport you to a fairytale world. Only 6 of the 22 halls are open to tourists, but they offer a 1420-metre tour with boat trips on the river inside the cave.
• The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park covers 107,083 hectares in central Georgia and includes Imereti, Javakheti and Shida Kartli. It protects valuable ecosystems, promotes ecotourism with 12 marked hiking trails and offers visitors a wide range of activities including hiking, cycling and cultural tours.

Resorts

The region is also known for its thermal baths:

• The resort of Sairme is located in a narrow gorge at the foot of the Zekari Pass, which gives it a unique microclimate. It is located 800 m above sea level and is 50 km from Kutaisi. In the 1920s, geologists discovered hot mineral water and built sanatoriums. In Sairme there are the healing springs ‘Narxani’ (source No. 1 and 3) and ‘Borjomi’ (source No. 4 and 5). The season runs from May to November.
• Zkaltubo near Kutaisi is a well-known balneological resort. In Soviet times, it was a popular destination for people from all the Soviet republics. Today, visitors come to admire the disused sanatoriums with their famous Stalinist architecture. These buildings are particularly attractive for lovers of lost places and architecture.
• In Sulori in Vani municipality, 11 km away, at an altitude of 250 m, historical part of Dvalishvili, there is the Gormagali fortress. The local Sulori resort covers 3 hectares and offers weakly mineralised, sulphurous water for healing baths for muscle and bone diseases, nervous disorders and gynaecological complaints from June to October. There are 32 baths and a polyclinic.

Activities

• Horse riding: In the Bodjomi-Kharagauli National Park and at the Zekari Pass, riding tours lasting from one day to one week can be organised.
• Cultural tours: Culture lovers can discover UNESCO monuments, cathedrals, churches, palaces and museums as well as natural monuments in the region.
• Photography: Photographers can capture the beauty of the landscape as well as the region’s unique cultural monuments and wall paintings. Zkaltubo and Chiatura, with their old cable cars and Soviet construction sites, are particularly fascinating.
• Cycling: There are many beautiful cycle paths in the area around Kutaisi and Zkaltubo. The Zekari Pass is also ideal for mountain bikers.
• Culinary and wine tours: Gourmet and wine tours are becoming increasingly popular in the region every year. Charming family businesses invite you to sample the delicious Imeretian cuisine and wines.

Tours in Imereti

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