Lower Kartli Region / Kvemo Kartli / ქვემო ქართლი

All regions of Georgia

Where is Lower Kartli?

Location

The region of Lower Kartli / Kvemo Kartli / ქვემო ქართლი is located in eastern Georgia. It borders Kakheti in the east, Inner Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti in the north and Samtskhe-Javakheti in the west. In the south, it borders Armenia and Azerbaijan.

With the city of Rustavi as its administrative centre, the region consists of six administrative units: Bolnisi, Gardabani, Dmanisi, Tetritskaro, Marneuli and Zalka.

Geography

Part of the region is located in the Lesser Caucasus and includes subtropical areas and alpine mountain regions with fields and forests. The main rivers are the Kura, Chrami and Algeti. Numerous lakes and reservoirs characterise the landscape.

Climate

The climate ranges from humid subtropical to subtropical continental in the Niederkartli Plain, temperate and humid in the Javakheti Mountains and temperate and humid to dry subtropical in Zalka. The average annual temperature is 15.3°C, in January 4°C and in July 25.2°C.

History and Culture

Key historical passages

The region of Niederkartli / Shida Kartli is a region with a rich history, bearing traces from all epochs of human history. There was human life here as early as 1.8 million years ago, when the first Europeans, Zezva and Mzia, were found in Dmanisi – known as Homo Georgicus.

The area has always been inhabited by the Kartvelian (Georgian) tribes, whose long-standing relations gave birth to Georgian culture. Over time, various domains such as the Emirate of Tbilisi (under Arab rule), Kldekari Saeristavo and the Kingdom of Tarish-Dzorageti were formed in the VII-XI centuries. In the 12th-13th century, there were border areas such as Gaga and Lori. After the Mongol invasion, the state border shifted to Ksia-Mtkvari.

In the 17th century, under Shah Abbas, the nomadic Borchalo tribe settled in the Debed valley and founded the Khanate of Lori. In the 18th century, Lower Kartli / Kvemo Kartli was depopulated by invasions of North Caucasian tribes. The region was settled by different tribes, which explains its ethnic diversity.

Lower Kartli played an important role in the spread of Christianity in Georgia, which is reflected in the large number of churches and monasteries. In addition, the summer residences of the Georgian kings were located here.

An important phase in the history of the region was the colonisation by the Germans. In the 19th century, there were several German settlements in Georgia, which brought their own culture and traditions to the region. One of the largest villages was Katerinenfeld, now known as Bolnisi. The half-timbered houses from this period are still well preserved today and make for impressive sights.

Culture

The culture of the Lower Kartli region is characterised by prehistoric and Christian monuments. Particularly interesting is that traces of winemaking have been found here, proving that Georgia is the cradle of wine. Numerous architectural monuments make Lower Kartli a fascinating cultural destination. The megalithic structures in the village of Gochnari, churches such as Bolnisi Sioni, Zughrughascheni and the Birtvisi fortress are good examples of the high cultural development of this region.

Wine and cuisine

The Lower Kartli region, the cradle of ancient viticulture, is particularly fascinating. In addition to the vineyards in the various villages, the winegrowers, who live in old German half-timbered houses and produce local wines in historic cellars, are also of interest. It is worth organising a wine tour in this region and tasting the local wines.

Travel tips for the Lower Kartli region

Sights and activities

Cultural sight

• The Dmanisi Museum in the administrative district of Dmanisi, village of Patara Dmanisi, includes a medieval city, layers from the late Bronze Age and the early Paleolithic monument of Dmanisi. It became famous through 1.8 million-year-old bone fragments discovered by archaeologists, which identified the first Europeans in Dmanisi.
• The Bolnisi Sioni Church – a three-aisled basilica located in the village of Bolnisi, with the oldest Georgian inscriptions preserved on its façade. In the church, we also find the Christian symbol, crosses in various forms. One of the crosses (the cross in a circular frame with an extended end) is known as the ‘Bolnisi cross’.
• The megaliths of Tejisi in Tejisi are an impressive example of the megalithic culture in Georgia. Today, only a few, but impressive remains of this monument remain. The stones formed a circle around a central menhir. The monument is easily accessible by off-road vehicle.
• The fortress complex of Birtvisi is located in the valley of the Algeti River, northeast of Tetritskaro. The fortress is a historical testimony to Georgia’s rich past and was once considered impregnable. It is perched on a site that is naturally difficult to access. Unlike traditional fortresses with walls and towers, Birtvisi can only be reached on foot, but the route there is beautiful. You can enjoy the atmosphere and have a nice picnic while walking through the forest.
• Gadachili Hill – In 2017, the remains of an ancient wine production site near the village of Imiri in the municipality of Marneuli were declared one of the ten most important discoveries worldwide by the renowned international journal ‘Archaeology’ of the Institute of American Archaeology. These discoveries, including the cleared hill and the grapes found there, underscore Georgia’s historical connection with wine, as the country has been producing wine for more than 8,000 years. With this discovery, Georgia was recognised as the cradle of wine.

Natural sights

• Algeti National Park in Tetritskaro municipality extends along the valley of the Algeti River and encompasses the southern slopes of the eastern Trialeti Mountains. The area ranges from 1,100 to 1,950 m above sea level, with the highest point at 2,000 m above sea level. There are currently five ecotourism routes in the park, offering both horse riding and hiking trails.
• Lake Zalka, the largest reservoir in Georgia, is located in the Zalka municipality at an altitude of 1506 metres above sea level. It lies in the gorge of the Khrami River and extends from west to east. Most of the shores are flat and steep, but in the south-eastern part they are steep and high. The reservoir is fed by the Khrami River, smaller tributaries, groundwater, snow and rain. It is an ideal place for fishing, observing the landscape and photographing birds.
• The Dashbashi Gorge in Tsalka, on the Khrami River, at an altitude of 1110-1448 metres, is home to a rich flora and fauna and is a natural monument. Visitors are attracted by the picturesque Dashbashi waterfall.
• In Tetrizkaro lies the Samshvilde gorge, which connects the valley of the Chivchavi river with the lava canyons of the Khrami river. It extends 300 metres into the depths and offers wide valleys and impressive panoramas. From Samshvilde there is a magnificent view.
• Khorkhi Cave in Tetritskaro, on the southern edge of the Bedeni Plateau at 1,400 metres above sea level, is home to small layers of ice in summer. In addition to its status as a natural monument, it is an important archaeological site. A tunnel-like passageway may have once provided protection from hostile intruders. Historically, ice was extracted from this cave during the summer and used as a natural refrigerator for the royals.Top of FormTop of Form

Resorts

• Manglisi is a popular mountain resort that uses the healing mountain air to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases and asthma. There are many small guesthouses in the area that can easily be booked. In addition, the hiking trails around Manglisi offer the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape and fresh air.

Activities

• Cultural experiences: The region is a paradise for culture lovers, who can discover unique attractions from prehistory to the 20th century. The excavations of Damnisi, the megaliths, the medieval churches and castles attract numerous visitors.
• Hiking: The area around the resort of Manglisi and Algeti National Park offer excellent hiking opportunities. In addition to these places, you can also hike in various villages and gorges, such as Samshvilde or Birtvisi.
• Horse riding: All hiking trails are also suitable for horse riding. There are numerous providers of horse riding tours in the villages.
• Photography: The architecture, landscape and birdlife provide good subjects for photographers. In the villages around Lake Zalka or Lake Tetritskaro, you can also capture the everyday life of the locals.
• Cycling: The region is a paradise for cyclists. Around Lake Zalka or through Bolnisi and Damnisi, cyclists will discover beautiful routes and enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.
• Culinary and wine tours: Wine tours are becoming increasingly popular in the region. Particularly interesting are the German villages, where the wine cellars have been preserved to this day. Today, Georgians live there and produce delicious local wines.

Tours in Lower Kartli

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