In one of the most beautiful places on the planet, among snow-capped mountain peaks and sandy beaches, a country is located in which friendly and hospitable people live, who managed to create an original culture and preserve the traditions of their ancestors. In addition to the beauties of nature, Georgia has many historical and architectural monuments, cozy cities and ancient village settlements. So we go to the Caucasus and visit the most beautiful places in Georgia, both natural and created by the hardworking hands of the people of this amazing country.
Tbilisi
One of the most beautiful cities on the planet, where new neighborhoods are harmoniously combined with old quarters, historical monuments and architectural masterpieces of different eras.
In the architecture of the capital of Georgia, the influence of other cultures, especially Russian and Persian, is very noticeable. But they laid down on fertile national soil, and made this city of the Caucasus distinctive and unique.
Above the streets and quarters of the city rises the main attraction of Tbilisi - Narikala fortress, which has become a kind of symbol of the capital.
About all the attractions of this city, most-beauty.tu wrote a large and interesting article.
Metekhi
In the capital itself, the Metekhi district stands out for its beauty and historical memory. It was from him, in the VI century, that the capital of ancient Iberia began to grow.
According to legend, Vakhtang Gorsali put his castle on this place, and people began to build their houses around the castle. The Assumption Church, unique in architecture and decoration, was built in the 13th century.
Old Tbilisi is unique in narrow busy streets where you can plunge headlong into the national flavor. Here is the oldest crossing across the Kura River, and on the other side of the river is the Shah Abbas Mosque.
Gelati Monastery
The most famous landmark of Georgia dates back to the 11th century, when, at the direction of King David, a unique monastery complex was erected in 1006.
For a long time the monastery was the spiritual and cultural center of the entire Caucasus region. Famous enlighteners and philosophers lived and worked in it. Its founder David the Builder and other rulers of the country are buried in the cult complex.
The ensemble of the monastery includes the magnificent Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church of St. George the Victorious. The holy spring strikes here, healing, according to legend, from many ailments.
Mountain landscapes of Rachi
Acquaintance with the nature of Georgia must begin with a mountain range located in the historical part of the country at the head of the Rioni River.
Admiring the mountain scenery and breathing in the clean mountain air, here you can relax from the bustle of the city and enjoy the splendor of nature. Hospitable Georgians will offer to taste Georgian national dishes under the sip of Khvanchkara.
Fans of antiquity can admire the stone carvings and frescoes of the Church of St. Nicholas, built in a mountain valley in the XI century, or visit the synagogue, built in the classical Moorish style.
Burn
The city in the picturesque region of Georgia is famous for the fact that on one of its squares until 2010 there was the only monument to Joseph Stalin in the former Soviet Union. Then he was transferred to the museum.
Among other attractions, it is worth noting the medieval fortress Goristsikhe, which is a kind of Kremlin of the ancient Georgian city.
The first mention of a unique fortress dates back to the 13th century, but the first settlements on the site of modern Gori, as archaeological excavations have shown, appeared in the first centuries of the 1st millennium.
Jvari Monastery
On the way to Gudauri from Tbilisi, you need to find time and visit a magnificent architectural monument, comfortably located on a mountain peak above the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers.
Jvari Monastery was founded in the 7th century, presumably on the spot where St. Nina put up her cross. The church, built on top, seems to be a continuation of the top of the mountain.
The monument of architecture was the first among Georgian attractions, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its beauty and splendor was described in the poem "Mtsyri" Yuri Lermontov.
Gudauri
At an altitude of 2 thousand meters above the sea lies the village of Gudauri, famous for what is mentioned in historical documents from the 15th century, in the works of Lermontov and Dumas.
Today it is a highly developed ski resort that meets all European standards. The mild climate, bright and gentle sun, crystal-clear air and magnificent trails will leave a lot of positive impressions.
So where to go skiing in winter, questions should not arise. Among the services you can take advantage of helicopter flight, and from a height to view the mountain landscapes of Gudauri.
Prometheus Cave
Many legends are connected with Georgia, one of which says that it was precisely among the Caucasus mountains that Zeus ordered to be chained to the rock of Prometheus. Amazingly beautiful karst cave, which is called Prometheeva, is located near Tskhaltubo.
It contains everything that can surprise and leave vivid impressions - branched passages with enchanting vaults, huge halls with bizarre-shaped karst deposits, wonderful waterfalls, underground rivers.
For the convenience of visiting, pedestrian bridges are made in the natural monument, and the halls and passages are highlighted. In the dungeon, in the "Back of Love" you can hold a wedding ceremony.
Martvili Canyon
It seems that nature has used all its skill and talent, creating the mountain landscapes of Georgia. To see the beauty of the canyon you need only a few hundred meters along the mountain river, or use a boat.
At a height, enchanting views of mountain lakes open, waterfalls drop from a 12-meter height, and all this water extravaganza is surrounded by rocky slopes hung with vines and other exotic plants.
The place is unique in that, during research, Georgian scientists discovered dinosaur prints in the canyon.
Kakheti
Describing the beauty and splendor of the Caucasian country, one cannot but mention the unique land where, according to legends and historical documents, winemaking was born.
In Kakheti, there is the town of Sighnaghi, where you can get married at any time of the day, as the city Wedding Palace is open around the clock, without breaks and weekends.
In addition, Alazani Valley will impress with its pristine beauty and vineyards. Here you can taste Georgian wine produced according to ancient recipes. And hundreds of Christian pilgrims annually come to the monastery of St. Nina, where the festival is held.
Rabat Fortress
Among tourists, this monument of medieval architecture is the most visited attraction of Georgia. They began to build the fortress in 1578, and today mosques and churches erected in different periods of history are located on its territory.
The unique fortress has witnessed many historical events unfolding in the mountainous regions of Meskhetia. After reconstruction in 2011-2012, the monument again opened its gates for tourists.
The monument itself is divided into two parts, the upper one, represented by old buildings, and the new one, where new architectural monuments are located.
Telavi
Older people remember that the hero of the famous Soviet comedy Mimino was from Telavi. But this region is famous not only for this.
In the vicinity of Telavi there are numerous historical, architectural and archaeological sites of various eras. Only here is there a fortress the size of a big city, erected by King Kvirike the Great.
The oldest church of Gvtaeb has been preserved, and in the area around it, settlements of the first centuries of our era were investigated.
Kazbegi
Mountain trails lead tourists to the small mountain town of Kazbegi, spread among the magnificent mountain peaks in the valley of the famous Terek River.
Dense forests and flowering meadows of mountain valleys will not leave indifferent true connoisseurs of pristine nature. In good weather, through the clouds you can see the highest glacier of the Caucasus - Mount Kazbek, towering above natural splendor to a height of 5,047 meters.
This region is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful, and as experts say, it has wonderful healing properties.
Coward
Imagine another beautiful mountainous region of Georgia, where the Terek River takes its source, and along its banks there are many mineral springs.
In the valley there is a magnificent color contrast of green meadows with snow-white peaks against the background of the deep Georgian sky. It is quiet and calm, only occasionally there are small mountain villages.
Mountaineering enthusiasts especially note the unique Trusovskoye Gorge, which in many guidebooks is called the “Valley of Narzans”. In addition to natural beauties, there are historical monuments.
Wardzia
There is also a unique cave monastery complex of the 12th-13th centuries in Georgia, which is located in the mountains of the historical part of Samtskhe-Javakheti.
Only here you can feel the unique and original spirit of antiquity, complemented by amazing creations of human hands. How much effort and labor needed to be spent to cut down magnificent palaces, steps and underground passages in the rocks.
The length of the complex is more than 900 meters, and experts say that at one time there were about 3 thousand buildings on its territory.
A vivid proof of the beauty of this Caucasian country is the incident that happened with a photographer from Argentina Pablo Ferrari, who came to Georgia for three days, stayed in love with a beautiful girl and country. Now his photos of Georgian landscapes and cities have spread all over the world.
But in order to fully realize the beauty of Georgia, one must come to this country at least for a while, feeling its splendor and originality, combined with the national traditions of Georgian hospitality.