Located on both banks of the Rioni River at an altitude of 125-300 m above sea level. Kopitnari Airport is located 22 km from the city. The distance to Tbilisi by rail and also by highway is 220 km, to Poti 100 km, and to Batumi 150 km.

The name comes from the Georgian word ქვა - stone, since in ancient times only the northern side of the Rioni River was inhabited (which fits perfectly with the quote below from Procopius of Caesarea), which was rocky.

Kutaisi is called the city of May and roses - სავარდო და სამაისო.

“From the Amaranth Mountains, from afar across the Kirkey plain, the stormy Phasis carries wide waters into the sea. Directing the ship Argo to the mouth of this river, you will be able to see the city of Kitey Eet."

“In this country there are very high mountains, covered with forest and difficult to access. They stretch all the way to the Caucasian mountains, and behind them towards the east lies Iberia, extending to the borders of the Perso-Armenians. Through these mountains, rising high into the sky, flows the Phasis River, starting from the Caucasus Mountains and flowing into the middle of this “half-monthly” Gulf of Pontus. Some believe that in this place the Phasis River serves as the border of two continents. The places that go to the left when looking downstream are Asia, and the places that go to the right are called Europe. In the part that belongs to Europe, there are all the inhabited places of the Laz, but on the other side of the Laz there are no cities, no fortifications, or a village worthy of any attention, except for the fact that the Romans previously built the fortress of Petra here. According to local legends inhabitants, in this part of Lazika there was also that golden fleece, because of which in their myths the poets forced the Hellenes to build Argo "

In ancient times, according to the information of many ancient historians and writers, including those mentioned above, Kutaisi was the capital of the Colchis kingdom, that is, the Colchians - the ancient Georgians. From the 8th to the 13th centuries, Kutaisi was the capital of the Abkhazian Kingdom. It was captured by the Turks in the 1760s and liberated by Russian troops in 1770.

Population

The population of the city and municipality as of January 1, 2016 was 147,900 people, as of January 1, 2014 - 197,000 people, as of January 1, 2005 - 184,500 people, as of 2002 - 186,000 people, as of January 1989 - 234,870 people.

National composition according to the 2002 census

• Georgians - 181,465 people (97.6%),
• Russians - 2223 people (1.2%),
• Armenians - 613 people (0.3%),
• Ukrainians - 293 people (0.1%),
• Ossetians - 245 people (0.1%),
• Azerbaijanis -132 people (0.1%),
• Greeks - 127 people (0.1%),
• others - 861 people (0.5%)
  • total - 185,965 people

Climate

The climate is humid subtropical. The average annual temperature is +14.5 °C. Based on data for the period 1881-1960. the coldest month of the year is January (its average temperature is +5.2 °C). The warmest month is August (average temperature +23.6 °C). On average, during the summer there are 10-12 days with temperatures of +35 °C and above. The highest air temperature was observed on August 18, 2014 and was +42.2 °C. The lowest temperature, −17.0 °C, was recorded on January 14, 1950. During the year, approx. 1530 mm of precipitation. Strong winds in the spring-autumn period are a frequent occurrence in Kutaisi. During the hurricane in February 1979, the wind speed reached 49 m/s.

Climate of Kutaisi
Index	Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Year
Absolute maximum, °C	23,7	24,1	30,1	35,1	37,4	39,2	41,5	42,2	40,0	35,0	28,5	24,6	42,2
Average maximum, °C	9,3	10,2	14,6	19,2	25,8	28,2	29,6	31,4	27,6	21,3	14,3	9,1	23,6
average temperature, °C	5,2	5,8	8,3	13,1	19,4	22,5	23,2	24,6	22,1	15,5	8,6	4,2	14,5
Average minimum, °C	1,2	1,8	4,2	8,8	13,7	17,4	18,7	19,3	16,2	11,3	5,4	2,6	11,1
Absolute minimum, °C	−17	−11,2	−9,2	−2,7	2,5	5,6	11,4	9,7	1,9	−3,4	−5,2	−14,2	−17

Transport

The main transport in Kutaisi is this moment are minibuses. There is also a city bus (buses used are Steyr SL11 HUA280, Neoplan N407, Gräf & Stift, Neoplan N4007NF, etc.). Two railway stations connect Kutaisi with Western and Eastern Georgia. Also located near the city international Airport Kopitnari, which was reconstructed and reopened at the end of 2012.

Culture

A drama theater has been operating in the city since the end of the 19th century, and there is also an opera house.

• Complex ancient city with Bagrati Temple
• Gelati monastery complex
• Geguta complex (ruins) - summer residence of the kings of the 10th-11th centuries

In 2012, the construction of a new building for the Parliament of Georgia was completed, which will move here from Tbilisi. The first meeting of the newly elected parliament took place on October 21, 2012.

Notable natives

• Valyansky, Mikhail Yakovlevich (1915-1987), participant in the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union.
• Dzotsenidze, Georgy Samsonovich (1910-1976) - Georgian geologist, full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Georgian SSR (1955), academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1968).
• Mzhavanadze, Vasily Pavlovich (1902-1988) - Soviet party leader, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia (1953-72). Hero of Socialist Labor (1962).
• Mikhailov, Viktor Vasilyevich (1901-1990) - Soviet scientist, academician of the Academy of Construction and Architecture of the USSR (1956). Founder of the theory and technology of using prestressed reinforced concrete in the USSR. Winner of the Stalin Prize (1949, 1950).
• Molodov, Sergey Georgievich
• Otrakovsky, Alexander Ivanovich - Hero of the Russian Federation.
• Gobedzhishvili, David Nikolaevich (b. 1963) - Georgian, Soviet freestyle wrestler in the weight category up to 130 kg, Olympic champion (1988), World champion (1985, 1990) and European champion (1985). Inducted into the International Amateur Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1985).

Twin Cities

• Greece Greece, Nicaea
• Ukraine Ukraine, Dnepr
• Ukraine Ukraine, Kharkov
• Ukraine Ukraine, Donetsk
• Ukraine Ukraine Zhitomir
• Poland Poland, Poznan
• Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, Ganja
• Armenia Armenia, Gyumri
• Israel Israel, Ashkelon
• UK UK, Newport

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Notes

Topographic maps

• Map Sheet K-38-62 Kutaisi. Scale: 1: 100,000. Indicate the date of issue/state of the area.

Links

Abkhazia Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti Houri Adjara Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Imereti Samtskhe-Javakheti Shida Kartli Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Excerpt characterizing Kutaisi

“What is he now? Is he confused? Angry? Should I fix this? she asked herself. She couldn't help but look back. She looked straight into his eyes, and his closeness and confidence, and the good-natured tenderness of his smile defeated her. She smiled just like him, looking straight into his eyes. And again she felt with horror that there was no barrier between him and her.
The curtain rose again. Anatole left the box, calm and cheerful. Natasha returned to her father’s box, completely subjugated to the world in which she found herself. Everything that happened in front of her already seemed completely natural to her; but for that, all her previous thoughts about the groom, about Princess Marya, about village life never once entered her head, as if all that was a long, long time ago.
In the fourth act there was some kind of devil who sang, waving his hand until the boards were pulled out under him and he sat down there. Natasha saw only this from the fourth act: something worried and tormented her, and the cause of this excitement was Kuragin, whom she involuntarily followed with her eyes. As they were leaving the theater, Anatole approached them, called their carriage and picked them up. As he sat Natasha down, he shook her hand above the elbow. Natasha, excited and red, looked back at him. He looked at her, his eyes sparkling and smiling tenderly.

Only after arriving home, Natasha could clearly think through everything that had happened to her, and suddenly remembering Prince Andrei, she was horrified, and in front of everyone over tea, which everyone sat down to after the theater, she gasped loudly and ran out of the room, flushed. - "My God! I'm dead! she said to herself. How could I let this happen?” she thought. She sat for a long time, covering her flushed face with her hands, trying to give herself a clear account of what had happened to her, and could neither understand what had happened to her, nor what she felt. Everything seemed dark, unclear and scary to her. There, in this huge, illuminated hall, where Duport jumped on the wet boards to the music with bare legs in a jacket with sequins, and girls, and old men, and Helen, naked with a calm and proud smile, shouted “bravo” in delight - there, under the shadow of this Helen , there it was all clear and simple; but now alone, with herself, it was incomprehensible. - "What it is? What was this fear that I felt for him? What is this remorse that I feel now? she thought.
Natasha would be able to tell the old countess alone in bed at night everything that she thought. Sonya, she knew, with her stern and integral gaze, either would not have understood anything, or would have been horrified by her confession. Natasha, alone with herself, tried to resolve what was tormenting her.
“Did I die for the love of Prince Andrei or not? she asked herself and with a reassuring smile answered herself: What kind of fool am I that I ask this? What happened to me? Nothing. I didn't do anything, I didn't do anything to cause this. No one will know, and I will never see him again, she told herself. It became clear that nothing had happened, that there was nothing to repent of, that Prince Andrei could love me just like that. But what kind? Oh God, my God! Why isn’t he here?” Natasha calmed down for a moment, but then again some instinct told her that although all this was true and although nothing had happened, instinct told her that all the former purity of her love for Prince Andrey had perished. And again in her imagination she repeated her entire conversation with Kuragin and imagined the face, gestures and gentle smile of this handsome and brave man, while he shook her hand.

Anatol Kuragin lived in Moscow because his father sent him away from St. Petersburg, where he lived more than twenty thousand a year in money and the same amount in debts that creditors demanded from his father.
The father announced to his son that he was paying half of his debts for the last time; but only so that he would go to Moscow to the post of adjutant to the commander-in-chief, which he procured for him, and would finally try to make a good match there. He pointed him to Princess Marya and Julie Karagina.
Anatole agreed and went to Moscow, where he stayed with Pierre. Pierre accepted Anatole reluctantly at first, but then got used to him, sometimes went with him on his carousings and, under the pretext of a loan, gave him money.
Anatole, as Shinshin rightly said about him, since he arrived in Moscow, drove all the Moscow ladies crazy, especially because he neglected them and obviously preferred gypsies and French actresses to them, with the head of which, Mademoiselle Georges, as they said, he was in intimate relations. He did not miss a single revelry with Danilov and other merry fellows of Moscow, drank all night long, outdrinking everyone, and attended all the evenings and balls of high society. They talked about several of his intrigues with Moscow ladies, and at balls he courted some. But with girls, especially rich brides who were for the most part everyone was bad, he did not get close, especially since Anatole, which no one knew except his closest friends, was married two years ago. Two years ago, while his regiment was stationed in Poland, a poor Polish landowner forced Anatole to marry his daughter.
Anatole very soon abandoned his wife and, for the money that he agreed to send to his father-in-law, he negotiated for himself the right to be considered a single man.
Anatole was always pleased with his position, himself and others. He was instinctively convinced with his whole being that he could not live differently than the way he lived, and that he had never done anything bad in his life. He was unable to think about how his actions might affect others, nor what might come of such or such an action. He was convinced that just as a duck was created in such a way that it should always live in water, so he was created by God in such a way that he should live with an income of thirty thousand and always occupy the highest position in society. He believed in this so firmly that, looking at him, others were convinced of this and did not deny him either a higher position in the world or money, which he obviously borrowed without return from those he met and those who met him.
He was not a gambler, at least he never wanted to win. He wasn't vain. He didn't care at all what anyone thought about him. Still less could he be guilty of ambition. He teased his father several times, ruining his career, and laughed at all the honors. He was not stingy and did not refuse anyone who asked him. The only thing he loved was fun and women, and since, according to his concepts, there was nothing ignoble in these tastes, and he could not think about what came out of satisfying his tastes for other people, in his soul he believed considered himself an impeccable person, sincerely despised scoundrels and bad people and carried his head high with a calm conscience.
The revelers, these male Magdalenes, have a secret sense of consciousness of innocence, the same as the female Magdalenes, based on the same hope of forgiveness. “Everything will be forgiven to her, because she loved a lot, and everything will be forgiven to him, because he had a lot of fun.”
Dolokhov, who this year appeared again in Moscow after his exile and Persian adventures, and led a luxurious gambling and carousing life, became close to his old St. Petersburg comrade Kuragin and used him for his own purposes.
Anatole sincerely loved Dolokhov for his intelligence and daring. Dolokhov, who needed the name, nobility, connections of Anatoly Kuragin to lure rich young people into his gambling society, without letting him feel this, used and amused himself with Kuragin. In addition to the calculation for which he needed Anatol, the very process of controlling someone else’s will was a pleasure, a habit and a need for Dolokhov.
Natasha made a strong impression on Kuragin. At dinner after the theater, with the techniques of a connoisseur, he examined in front of Dolokhov the dignity of her arms, shoulders, legs and hair, and announced his decision to drag himself after her. What could come out of this courtship - Anatole could not think about it and know, just as he never knew what would come out of each of his actions.
“It’s good, brother, but not about us,” Dolokhov told him.
“I’ll tell my sister to call her for dinner,” said Anatole. - A?
- You better wait until she gets married...
“You know,” said Anatole, “j”adore les petites filles: [I adore girls:] - now he’ll get lost.
“You’ve already fallen for a petite fille [girl],” said Dolokhov, who knew about Anatole’s marriage. - Look!
- Well, you can’t do it twice! A? – Anatole said, laughing good-naturedly.

The next day after the theater, the Rostovs did not go anywhere and no one came to them. Marya Dmitrievna, hiding something from Natasha, was talking with her father. Natasha guessed that they were talking about the old prince and making up something, and this bothered and offended her. She waited for Prince Andrei every minute, and twice that day she sent the janitor to Vzdvizhenka to find out if he had arrived. He didn't come. It was now harder for her than the first days of her arrival. Her impatience and sadness about him were joined by an unpleasant memory of her meeting with Princess Marya and the old prince, and fear and anxiety, for which she did not know the reason. It seemed to her that either he would never come, or that something would happen to her before he arrived. She could not, as before, calmly and continuously, alone with herself, think about him. As soon as she began to think about him, the memory of him was joined by the memory of the old prince, of Princess Marya and of the last performance, and of Kuragin. She again wondered if she was guilty, if her loyalty to Prince Andrei had already been violated, and again she found herself remembering in the smallest detail every word, every gesture, every shade of play of expression on the face of this man, who knew how to arouse in her something incomprehensible to her. and a terrible feeling. To the eyes of her family, Natasha seemed more lively than usual, but she was far from being as calm and happy as she had been before.
On Sunday morning, Marya Dmitrievna invited her guests to mass at her parish of the Assumption on Mogiltsy.
“I don’t like these fashionable churches,” she said, apparently proud of her free-thinking. - There is only one God everywhere. Our priest is wonderful, he serves decently, it’s so noble, and so is the deacon. Does this make it so sacred that people sing concerts in the choir? I don’t like it, it’s just self-indulgence!
Marya Dmitrievna loved Sundays and knew how to celebrate them. Her house was all washed and cleaned on Saturday; people and she were not working, everyone was dressed up for the holidays, and everyone was attending mass. Food was added to the master's dinner, and people were given vodka and roast goose or pig. But nowhere in the whole house was the holiday more noticeable than on Marya Dmitrievna’s broad, stern face, which on that day assumed an unchanging expression of solemnity.
When they had drunk coffee after mass, in the living room with the covers removed, Marya Dmitrievna was informed that the carriage was ready, and she, with a stern look, dressed in the ceremonial shawl in which she made visits, stood up and announced that she was going to Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky to explain to him about Natasha.
After Marya Dmitrievna left, a milliner from Madame Chalmet came to the Rostovs, and Natasha, having closed the door in the room next to the living room, very pleased with the entertainment, began trying on new dresses. While she was putting on a sour cream bodice still without sleeves and bending her head, looking in the mirror at how the back was sitting, she heard in the living room the animated sounds of her father’s voice and another, female voice, which made her blush. It was Helen's voice. Before Natasha had time to take off the bodice she was trying on, the door opened and Countess Bezukhaya entered the room, beaming with a good-natured and affectionate smile, in a dark purple, high-necked velvet dress.
- Ah, ma delicieuse! [Oh, my charming one!] - she said to the blushing Natasha. - Charmante! [Charming!] No, this is not like anything, my dear Count,” she said to Ilya Andreich, who came in after her. – How to live in Moscow and not travel anywhere? No, I won't leave you alone! This evening M lle Georges is reciting and some people will gather; and if you don’t bring your beauties, who are better than M lle Georges, then I don’t want to know you. My husband is gone, he left for Tver, otherwise I would have sent him for you. Be sure to come, definitely, at nine o'clock. “She nodded her head to a milliner she knew, who sat down respectfully to her, and sat down on a chair next to the mirror, picturesquely spreading out the folds of her velvet dress. She did not stop chatting good-naturedly and cheerfully, constantly admiring Natasha's beauty. She examined her dresses and praised them, and boasted about her new dress en gaz metallique, [made of metal-colored gas], which she received from Paris and advised Natasha to do the same.
“However, everything suits you, my lovely,” she said.
The smile of pleasure never left Natasha's face. She felt happy and blossoming under the praises of this dear Countess Bezukhova, who had previously seemed to her such an unapproachable and important lady, and who was now so kind to her. Natasha felt cheerful and felt almost in love with this so beautiful and such a good-natured woman. Helen, for her part, sincerely admired Natasha and wanted to amuse her. Anatole asked her to set him up with Natasha, and for this she came to the Rostovs. The thought of setting up her brother with Natasha amused her.
Despite the fact that she had previously been annoyed with Natasha for having taken Boris away from her in St. Petersburg, she now did not even think about it, and with all her soul, in her own way, wished Natasha well. Leaving the Rostovs, she withdrew her protegee aside.
- Yesterday my brother dined with me - we were dying of laughter - he didn’t eat anything and sighed for you, my precious. Il est fou, mais fou amoureux de vous, ma chere. [He goes crazy, but he goes crazy with love for you, my dear.]
Natasha blushed crimson hearing these words.
- How she blushes, how she blushes, ma delicieuse! [my precious!] - said Helen. - Definitely come. Si vous aimez quelqu"un, ma delicieuse, ce n"est pas une raison pour se cloitrer. Si meme vous etes promise, je suis sure que votre promis aurait desire que vous alliez dans le monde en son absence plutot que de deperir d"ennui. [Just because you love someone, my lovely, you should not live like a nun. Even if you are a bride, I am sure that your groom would prefer that you go out into society in his absence than die of boredom.]

Kutaisi was founded in the 6th century BC. and for a long time was the eastern residence of the Abkhaz-Georgian kings. Since the 15th century, the center of the Imeretian kingdom. In 1760 it was captured by the Turks and liberated by Russian troops 10 years later. In 1810 joined to Russian Empire. In 2012, the Parliament of Georgia moved here.
I left Batumi for Kutaisi by morning minibus. The night before I returned from a walk around the city after dark. The female part of the family sat in the kitchen watching TV, occasionally responding to the pranks of the children playing nearby. I had a snack next to them, it turned out that the owner had not yet come from work. He appeared about an hour later, entered the kitchen and sat down tiredly at the table, gloomily looking around. All the ladies immediately found something to do...
- How did it work out? - I asked, because... Gia looked tired.
- I had to work late, because... I should have finished it today...
- I was also exhausted, driving around Batumi. True, completely free...
The knowledge that, unlike me, he earned money today had a positive effect on Gia. He took a glass of compote, took a sip and began to reason:
- You have to spin. It was easier before, I worked at an enterprise. You could take sick leave and vacation every year. And now it's closed. On the other hand, now I am my own boss...
It was clear that he still had not decided which option suited him best.
“Don’t think so, sometimes I rest too,” we went out into the yard and sat down at a table near a spreading tree, “we’ll gather with our neighbors in one of the courtyards, get some wine, have a barbecue... We drink for a day, we drink for two...
- What about the customers you work for? They don't like to wait...
- They also walk with us...
- And the family, that is, the wife?
- You know, our customs are different from Russian ones. When I got married, the next day, after the wedding night, I told my wife that either she listens to me in everything, or she can leave. Therefore, as I say, so it will be!... True, all men’s concern is only mine: construction, making money and everything else...
- Tell me, do residents of Abkhazia come here?
- I don’t know, I don’t have anyone there. Russia, of course, is not doing well by supporting them. Without this help, Georgia would have regained everything long ago.
- It seems to me that you acted incorrectly. It was necessary not to fight, but to negotiate. Especially in 2008.
- This idiot Saakashvili started the war. We didn't ask him for this...
The next morning he took me to the station (for 10 GEL), and soon I was admiring the nature of the surrounding Batumi from the window of the minibus. The mountain slopes were covered with bright and lush vegetation. Heavy clouds hung low above them, covering their tops with a thick, damp fog. As we moved away from the sea, the climate became drier, but still, the withered grass that had become common in Armenia was nowhere to be found. I looked with interest at the towns and villages flashing outside the window. There was no sense of wealth in them. Cattle were visible in the meadows, there were vineyards and orchards, industrial enterprises were not memorable.
Getting off at the train station in Kutaisi, I asked how to find Gamsakhurdia Street. Not right away, but they explained it to me. Having ridden a bicycle in the indicated direction, I went into the park to drink tea and take the first photo in Kutaisi, if there was anything to photograph.

I saw a similar lion (or is it not a lion?) in Batumi. There he stood near the theater building.

The main alley looked well-kept (which could not yet be said about the rest of the city). Just in case, I decided to check the address with three strong young men relaxing in the shade (this is what crime representatives look like in Russian films). It turned out that there are two Gamsakhurdia streets (different Gamsakhurdia) in Kutaisi, and I am not heading to the one I need. We talked about relations between Russia and Georgia:
- Why don’t people come to us from Russia so much? Are they afraid that Georgians will treat them badly?
- I don’t think that this is the main reason, although there are certainly such concerns. Now the whole world is open to Russian citizens. Therefore, tourists choose what is best. I rode completely fearlessly, because... Georgians worked at our place of work, and I remember that they were normal people...
- But your youth most likely don’t think so?
- But even in Georgia, the younger generation probably thinks differently than you?

New church. To be honest, the architecture of ordinary Georgian churches (new) did not impress me.

Soon I found myself at the hostel where I had reserved a place. A young guy opened the door for me and invited me to enter a quiet, cool room. When booking online, I was reminded of the photos of the luxurious furnishings. I was ready that this would turn out to be a fiction (considering the cost of living), but I was seated in those very luxurious chairs. Soon a lady of Russian appearance came out and inquired about the purpose of my visit. At that moment, the young guy quietly placed a bottle of homemade wine, covered with droplets of moisture, on the table. The reception surprised me a little. I don’t drink alcohol on the road, but I couldn’t resist this treat and poured myself one glass. The hostess explained that the owner of the hotel was her son-in-law, who would appear later. And I can settle in a triple room (there were also more comfortable ones). While I was going to the market to buy groceries, Nodar appeared. He told me that he lived in Leningrad and even received his first passport there (he studied somewhere). We talked a little, deciding to move the main part of the conversation to the evening
After a while I was already rolling around the city. One of the five-story buildings has been significantly expanded in accordance with local traditions.

The temple was built in 1901.

Two priests were relaxing in the shade of the trees, having a leisurely conversation. They did not answer my questions very kindly. It turned out that the chair in the middle of the hall was intended for the Metropolitan when he was present at services. He asked if there was any drinking water in the church. One of the priests called a beggar from the entrance and told him to lead me. Having learned that I was from Russia, he said sadly:
- But I once graduated from a military command school in Omsk... And now...
- Are you in charge here now? - I tried to support the former officer.
“Yes...” there was sadness in his voice. But he immediately pulled himself together, realizing that excessive sentimentality was inappropriate in his situation...

I'm crossing the Rioni River.

Sculpture of a boy on the bridge.

The house of the Imeretian kings faces the river.

A similar building is on the opposite bank.

The gymnasium where Vladimir Mayakovsky studied.

And Evfimi Takaishvili (1863 - 1953), historian and archaeologist.

One of the main streets.

How can you pass by such gorgeous balconies...

Some kind of event (all information is in Georgian, but you won’t be asked all the time).

I'm going to a nearby park. Everything is clear here and without inscriptions.

I'm going up the cable car. The route passes over the Rioni River. There is a park at the top, but I didn’t see anything interesting. I'll be back almost immediately. View of the city from the cabin.

The center of Kutaisi is small. At least that part of it where there is something to photograph.

In my opinion, an educational institution.

Nearby is a monument to a high school student.

Some kind of grandiose building.

We came across a large-scale Soviet-era monument dedicated to the seasons (inscriptions in Russian remain). Probably at that time he was popular because of the presence of nudity, but now there is no one around...

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone nearby...

As far as I remember, the monument to Zakhary Pavliashvili.

Sister musicians are immortalized.

The sculptures are installed in the park. At its gate I talked to the taxi drivers to find out the way to the monasteries of Gelati and Motsameta. If you look at the map, it seems that you can get there by bicycle. But I didn’t know which way to go, and I wanted to clarify the distance. I talked, thought a little and asked:
- How much will it cost by taxi? (So ​​as not to waste time driving).
- Twenty five...
Twenty-five lari is not too much money, but I paid twenty for a place in the hostel...
- Okay, let's go...
I fastened the bike to the post and got into the car.

I expected that the driver would also be my guide, but he turned out to be taciturn, or something was bothering him.
-What kind of temple is this?
- I do not know exactly. It stands next to the river bank...

First stop - Motsameta. The monastery was built in honor of the martyred brothers David and Constantine, the princes who led the Georgians’ struggle against the Arab conquerors. They, being captured, refused to convert to Islam and were killed. This happened in 736.

The terrain here is mountainous.

There were several newlywed couples on the premises.

Main temple. It contains the tomb of the fallen princes.

Bell tower on a cliff.

If we got to Motsameta quickly, the road to Gelati turned out to be much longer. And I realized that if I set off on a bicycle, I would only arrive in the evening. Some building along the road. Which was a real serpentine.

View from the gate of the Gelati Monastery. I remembered that I was once a little surprised by a line from Pushkin’s poem: “On the hills of Georgia lies the darkness of the night...”. Why hills and not mountains? But now I agree with him. A significant part of the country is covered with green hills without the snow caps with which we associate mountains. Although their height is quite “mountainous”...

The monastery was founded by David the Builder in 1106. Since then, it has been the burial place of Georgian kings. From the 16th century to 1814, the residence of the Catholicos was located here. The collegiate church was built in 1125.

Fragments of the ceiling painting have been preserved.

The Church of St. George was built in the 13th century

Let's look at the small bell tower separately. The introductory photo was also taken at this monastery.

The Gelati Academy operated on the territory of the monastery.

The South Gate has been restored.

When we returned to the park gate, the reason why the driver was nervous became clear. He did not accept the 25 lari I offered and said that they always agree with foreigners to pay in dollars. This is a common thing, so they don’t even draw the client’s attention to it.
- But we are not in America!... What do dollars have to do with it?... - I began to get angry.
- You can ask other taxi drivers. Then you will understand that I am not deceiving you...
His colleagues began to show some interest in our skirmish, because... it was clear that I was not the first like this... Twenty-five lari is about 500 rubles at that time, and twenty-five dollars is a little over 750. I didn’t feel sorry for the money, I just felt deceived. I must say that while in the Caucasus, I did not feel any particular danger, which could be expected based on the behavior of the former highlanders in Russia. Perhaps the most determined ones come to us, while ordinary people remain in their native places. There was no reason to be timid in difficult situations. But I had the understanding that I had screwed up, exhausted by the hospitality shown to me at the hostel. It was necessary to finish the episode and continue to get acquainted with Kutaisi.
- Here!... I put 25 dollars into the open window of the car and went to unfasten the bike.
The first step was to drive around the square.

Next to it is the Colchis fountain. It is decorated with copies of figurines made in the distant Bronze Age on the territory of Colchis, found during archaeological excavations. The entire sculpture is gilded. This is the most expensive fountain in Georgia.

The composition is crowned by the horses of David the Builder.

I got a little confused in the market. I drank kvass and ate some kind of pie. Nothing special. I got out to the Rioni River. The water in it is cloudy and light gray. However, there was a fisherman standing on the shore with a fishing rod. So he perked up and began to quickly twist the reel. Passers-by stopped on the bridge and began to wait with interest to see how it would all end. The line was pulled tighter and tighter, finally the man sharply threw up the rod in the last, seemingly triumphant, jerk, and... an old bag fluttered above the water, emitting dirty water downwards...
The development along the coast is very interesting in some places.

Next, I fastened my bike and moved to the high bank. On the way, I stopped at a small church; it turned out to be closed, and a man and a woman were sitting on the steps leading to it. It was obvious that they were tipsy.
- Could you tell me what this temple is called? - I asked out of inertia, because it was still very difficult to photograph him.
“I don’t know,” the lady answered, “when I come, I live in two houses.” One is in Moscow, the other is here, but I rarely go to Kutaisi. Excuse me, I drank a little cognac...
- It's OK. Nowadays, a woman who has not drunk a little cognac in the evening is very rare...
- I'm in trouble. I arrived and immediately quarreled with my sister. So I left home...
- Make peace. There are positive aspects to swearing too. As scientists have found out, every person needs stressful situations, because... they are followed by anti-stress, which gives a great surge of strength...

Monument to David the Builder.

Another one new church, the appearance of which I would call unmemorable. Perhaps it is made in some local architectural traditions, but they are unfamiliar to me, and I judge as an outside observer. In general, people in Georgia are quite religious. When we were traveling from Batumi to Kutaisi, some of the passengers were baptized at the sight of the temples. Including the driver, because of which he once almost drove the car to the side of the road. But God saved...

Arriving at the hostel, I met Nodar at the gate.
- Well, did you see everything? Have you been to Gelati? Were there any problems? - He began to bombard me with questions.
- I was everywhere. Only, the taxi driver blurred the impression. When calculating, I had to give him 25 dollars, although it seemed that the agreement was 25 lari.
- What???... Why did you give it???... Why didn’t you send???... - Nodar got really excited. I realized that if I didn’t calm him down, we would now go deal with the taxi drivers, and I was already tired.
- Okay, not too much money. But I liked it. To visit Motsameta and Gelati you can pay more...
The answer satisfied him, and we went to dinner. It was clear that Nodar wanted his guest to enjoy his stay. And the guest later said about this... (That’s what I’m saying). They washed my clothes, treated me to something... We sat down in the hall near the TV and started talking.
- How much should I pay for laundry? You know, I feel uncomfortable here with you for free...
- Uh-uh... Well, what are you doing!... Then you buy yourself a hotel in St. Petersburg, I’ll come to you, and you’ll do everything for me!... Agreed?...
- I would do it, but I’m afraid I don’t have enough money for a hotel...
- All will be...
So far, Georgians seem too emotional to me. Much more than the Armenians. It would also be unfair not to acknowledge their hospitality. But I haven't been to Tbilisi yet. And the capital is always different from the province...

Are you planning a trip to Kutaisi? Great! From the article you will learn what to see in Kutaisi and the surrounding area in 1-2 days, where to live, how to get to Kutaisi from Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities of Georgia.

Kutaisi - main city in Western Georgia, the capital of the Imereti region with a population of 200,000 people.

Is located in 230 km from Tbilisi and to 150 km from Batumi.

In Kutaisi you can stay at one or two days(maximum 3 days) to see the sights of the city itself and its surroundings.

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What is remarkable about Kutaisi?

1. Temple of Bagrat on the hill

2. Monasteries, caves, canyons within a radius 50 km from the city

3. KUT - Kutaisi International Airport, where it flies Wizz Air and other airlines. Tickets to Kutaisi are often cheaper than to Tbilisi or Batumi

Sights of Kutaisi

There are not many attractions in the city itself. There is a compact center half a day Enough for inspection. My favorite places are described below.

If you only have a few hours in Kutaisi, then White Bridge + cable car + Bagrati Temple= minimum required

White Bridge

View from the White Bridge to the Rioni River

Coordinates: 42.268737, 42.700412

Wood pedestrian bridge across the Rioni River.

The White Bridge was built in the second half of the 19th century and is currently a symbol of the reviving city.

Pay attention to the sculpture of a boy sitting on the railing - a symbol of the ideal of art.

There is a small park near the White Bridge. You can have dinner there in a cafe, sitting on an uncomfortable (but stylish!) tray and looking at the Rioni River.

Kutaisi cable car

Coordinates: 42.270409, 42.700107

Working hours: 11.00-20.00

Price: 2 lari($0.8 / 50 RUR)

Stop cable car near the White Bridge. The trailer takes everyone to the Besarion Gabashvili Park of Culture and Recreation.

There's a cheerful tune playing from the speakers, there are a couple of rides and a Ferris wheel, and delicious coffee is brewed in the cafe.

You can go up to Gabashvili Park by cable car and cross it right through. Then walk to the Bagrati Temple along Kazbegi Street. This road to the temple is easier than climbing the stairs from the Rioni River.

Temple of Bagrat

Bagrati Temple in Kutaisi

Coordinates: 42.277440, 42.704308

8.00-18.00, seven days a week
Divine service on Sunday 09:00-14:00

The Temple of Bagrat was built on Ukemerion Hill in 1003. It was destroyed for a long time and was a very interesting sight. Several years ago, by order of Saakashvili, the temple was restored.

Today, a building of impressive size rises on the hill. Behind it are fortress walls and cows peacefully chewing grass. In front of it is an observation deck overlooking the center.

There is parking near the temple; you can come by car or walk up the stairs.

This is my favorite place in Kutaisi. I came here to shoot a video about Georgia. The hill with the Bagrati Temple can be seen from anywhere.

Market in Kutaisi

Bas-reliefs on the main market building

Coordinates: 42.272215, 42.701603

If your flight home is from Kutaisi, you can pop into the market for edible souvenirs.

The market is the most colorful place in any Georgian city. Vegetables, fruits, plucked chickens, churchkhela with hazelnuts, Batumi coffee, nuts, spices and fresh lavash are sold.

Be sure to bargain, especially if you buy a lot. There are no large supermarkets within the center, so it is easier to buy food at the market.

Parliament of Georgia

Coordinates: 42.264647, 42.659663

The futuristic Parliament building is located on the outskirts of the city. It looks like a huge snail. You can see it when you drive along the highway towards Martvili.

What else to see in Kutaisi?

There are no other places like this in Kutaisi that will bring you WOW and right to your heart. What is?

▪ Jewish Quarter (42.274101, 42.709115 ). Jews began to settle in Kutaisi back in the 17th century. These days there are few of them left, but several synagogues have survived.

▪ Colchis fountain (42.271481, 42.705487 ) on David the Builder Square (sculptures of horses, rams, deer)

▪ A park with fountains in the center of Kutaisi ( 42.271232, 42.703391 ). Notable for free wifi. Here you can watch how Georgians massively consume seeds on the benches.

▪ Botanical Garden(notable for the fact that there is an active church in the trunk of a 400-year-old oak tree

▪ Rustaveli Avenue, Queen Tamara Street, a dozen churches, Opera House

▪ Kutaisi Dam- visible from the hill where the Bagrati Temple stands. You can climb onto the dam.

The fortress walls behind the Bagrati Temple and the white dam under the mountain

Excursions in Kutaisi

You can easily explore the city on your own on foot or by taxi.

All the most interesting things are located outside of Kutaisi. To see canyons, monasteries, waterfalls, caves, you need to plan at least one or two nights in Kutaisi and ride around the surrounding area.

You can book excursions to save time and deepen your knowledge. For example, these are praised ↓

Hotels and apartments in Kutaisi

There are many guest houses in Kutaisi and family hotels By low prices, but the quality of housing is not the highest.

Once we filmed for 10 days in the very center of Kutaisi.

In fact, this is not even an apartment, but an entire floor of 80 square meters in a private house.

It was interesting to live in an old Georgian house in the city center, but the next time we chose housing with new furniture and a minimum of things.

It tells you how to buy tickets for regular flights at low prices, how to find sales from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk.

How to get to Kutaisi from Tbilisi and Batumi

Kutaisi for life

We once lived in Kutaisi for two weeks, plus we visited several times for one or two nights while traveling around Georgia. I wouldn’t come here for a month+, but for a couple of weeks you can find something to do.

The city is not bad for living (cheap housing and food), but it’s still more fun.

You can rent an apartment in Kutaisi for 200$ per month. In Tbilisi and Batumi the price order is completely different.

Kutaisi is compact and cozy. Another plus is the weather. Spring comes faster in Imereti than in the Tbilisi region. The gardens bloom from the beginning of March, and in Tbilisi only from April.

In ancient times, most of Kutaisi, located on the Colchis lowland, was covered with picturesque forests. And now the famous Georgian tea and delicious tropical fruits are grown in this fertile area. We are no longer talking about the landscapes of the surrounding area - they simply fascinate with their wonderful decoration! Greenery is present here wherever possible; not only boulevards and parks, but also squares and even small streets are decorated with bright plantings. All this beauty is located against the backdrop of the mountains, which looks simply magical.

The weather in the city is dictated by the subtropical climate, characterized by high humidity. Heavy downpours usually occur in spring and autumn, and very often. Streams of water saturate the Rioni so much that it is forced to leave its banks. Heavy rains often cause flooding, with entire streets under water. Strong winds often blow in March-May and September-November. Hurricanes also happen in winter. So, in February 1979, the wind blew with terrible force - 49 meters per second.

But the temperature in Kutaisi is quite comfortable: the annual average for the city is +14.5 degrees Celsius. August is the warmest, the temperature in the last summer month rises to 24.6 degrees with a plus sign. It happens that the thermometer shows +35 °C and above, but this is observed only for 10-12 days throughout the summer.

The temperature record was set on July 30, 2000, when a reading of +43.1 °C was recorded. But the coldest day in Kutaisi in the entire history of meteorological observations turned out to be January 14, 1950: the thermometer stopped at 17 degrees with a minus sign. January is generally considered the coldest month of the year here, although the temperature in this month is usually above zero, the average temperature is +5.2 °C.

History and modernity

The history of the main city of Western Georgia began approximately three and a half thousand years ago, that is, Kutaisi is 2000 years older than Tbilisi. Not every settlement in the country can boast of such a respectable age, except for the ancient Kaspi and Mtskheta.

Kutaisi, according to archaeologists, was founded approximately in the 6th-5th centuries BC. However, the chronicle of the city began to be documented only from the 3rd century BC. The first written source in which he is mentioned is Argonautica. Apollonius of Rhodes, the author of this work, writes that “you can see the city of Citaea Eetus” by directing the “ship Argo” to the mouth of the “turbulent Phasis,” which “carries wide waters into the sea.”

In ancient times, there was a large hill on the site of the city of Kutaisi. This is the picture that the representatives of the first Kartvelian-speaking tribes – the Megrelo-Chans or Svans – found when they came to these lands. This area was swampy, there were many malarial mosquitoes here, so it seemed practically unsuitable for life. The Svans decided to develop the foothills, setting a goal for themselves: to get by water to sea ​​coast. The events described took place between the 20th and 15th centuries BC. According to some reports, the tribes founded their first settlement where one of the main attractions of the city and its tourist attraction – the Bagrati Temple – is now located.

Kutaisi, in those days it was called Kutaia, went down in history as one of the first cities in Colchis, adjacent to the settlements of Vani, Nokalakevi and Rhodopolis. There is every reason to believe that in 720 BC the city also survived the invasion of the Cimmerians. During the era of the Byzantine Empire, no significant events worthy of a chronicler’s pen occurred here. After the Byzantines, the kingdom of Egrisi was formed in this area. Then came the time of Arab rule, but the Abkhazians withstood the invasion of foreigners and were subsequently able to conquer all of Western Georgia from them. As a result of these events, Kutaisi became part of the Abkhazian kingdom.

The turning point in the history of ancient Kutaia was the year 808, when the Abkhazian king Leon “built the fortress and city of Kutaisi” and proclaimed it “the throne city, second after Anakopia.” It remained the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom until the 13th century. A major role in the fate of the city was played by King David VI Narini, who, although subordinate to the Mongols, showed some independence. For example, in 1260 he refused to participate in the campaign against Egypt, simply fleeing from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. Western Georgia, which had separated into a state not controlled by the Mongols, recognized him as king. And Kutaisi, accordingly, became the capital of this state. In 1293, this prominent historical figure died and found his final rest in the Gelati monastery.

In 1760, Kutaisi was captured by the Ottoman Empire. It was liberated from Turkish rule by Russian troops in 1770, and in 1810 it became part of the Russian Empire. And by no means on provincial rights: in 1811 the city became the center of the Imereti region, and in 1846 - the center of the Kutaisi province. It existed in this status until the October Revolution of 1917. After joining Russia, the territory of the settlement began to increase, it was built up stone houses, many temples were built. So, in 1823, the Annunciation Cathedral appeared - it was built for the Catholic community. In 1835, construction of the “upper synagogue” began.

Kutaisi even had its own prison, where political celebrities such as Joseph Stalin and Lavrentiy Beria were held as prisoners. But in the Kutaisi gymnasium, the building of which has survived to this day, it stands on Tsereteli Street, where young Vladimir Mayakovsky studied in the early 1900s.

The 20s of the last century were very difficult for the city, when a series of executions of “unreliable” people affected many families. The Soviet government did not spare the “architectural remnants” of the pre-revolutionary era. In 1924, the Kutaisi Cathedral on the main square fell under the hot hand of the builders of communism - it was demolished.

In the era of “developed socialism,” Kutaisi became the second most important industrial center of the Georgian SSR. Industry developed at a very fast pace; many factories were built in the city: automobile, electromechanical, tractor, lithopone and many others. The automobile plant, put into operation in 1951, until 1968 produced world-famous Soviet Union in the Kolkhida truck. In the USSR, people even joked about this: “A car from Kutaisi is worse than a wolf or even a lynx.”

The young years of the former first secretary of the Central Committee of the Republican Communist Party, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR during perestroika and the second president of independent Georgia, E. A. Shevardnadze, are also connected with the city. In 1956-1957, Eduard Amvrosievich was one of the Komsomol leaders of Kutaisi. He even studied at the Kutaisi Pedagogical Institute, from which he graduated in 1959.

With Georgia gaining independence, Kutaisi was chosen by the leaders of the criminal world. The group, known as the “Kutaisi”, brought fear to the entire Transcaucasus. It was so powerful that it could compete with the Sukhumi ones. Most of the thieves in law lived in the Chomi quarter, on the right bank. Some of the authorities settled at the western end of Agmashenebeli Avenue, or at the Outpost. The mansion of Gaioz Zviadadze serves as a unique reminder of that odious era. In 2006, this criminal den was confiscated by the state. At the same time, almost all Kutaisi thieves in law were destroyed. This means that the main city of Western Georgia has since become a safe place.

From 2009 to 2013, Kutaisi underwent reconstruction. The Bagrati Temple was restored, several streets were repaired and it opened - albeit outside the city - national park Sataplia. Well, in 2012, as we noted above, it became the parliamentary capital of Georgia. In 2015, another important and long-awaited event happened: a bypass road was opened here.

Sights of Kutaisi

The main local temple, Bagrati Cathedral, is located on the mountain, offering a magnificent panorama of Kutaisi. This ancient building is interesting not only from a religious, but also from a historical and architectural point of view. There is only one thing that upsets us: at one time the cathedral was damaged by the Seljuk Turks, so it has not survived to this day in its original form. However, the rapid passage of time still preserved for posterity ancient mosaics, paintings, frescoes and magnificent stained glass windows adorning the window panes. Not long ago, restoration work was completed in the Bagrati Temple. Architects were inclined to enrich its appearance with solutions in the Art Nouveau style. Modernity was wonderfully combined with ancient walls and the result is worthy of attention.

Another popular attraction of Kutaisi is the Colchis Fountain, located right on central square, named after David Agmashenebeli. The fountain is multi-level and unique in that it is decorated with 30 copies of figurines dating back to the Bronze Age. The figurines are duplicates of figurines belonging to the Colchis culture. They are enlarged, that is, they are made in natural size, and are also gilded. The originals were found during archaeological excavations. In addition to the fountain, the square also deserves attention: the drama theater, the city library, the Museum of Georgian Sports and many other beautiful buildings.

Special mention should be made about the Georgian Kutaisi Theater named after Lado Meskhishvili. Founded in 1861, two decades later it acquired its own troupe of professional actors, led by A. Lordkipanidze. The theater building is built of gray stone and is one of the brightest examples of the Renaissance style. And all thanks to the arched windows located at the entrance, high columns and the facade decorated with bas-reliefs.

Kopitnari Airport, named after David Agmashenebeli, can also be considered a separate attraction. In August 2008, during the Georgian-South Ossetian armed conflict the air harbor was bombarded by planes. As a result, the runway received some damage. In 2012, it was renovated and renovated, and the then President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili attended the ceremony. The airport was equipped with modern weather and navigation systems. The length of the runway is 2600 meters, and the first flight was to Kyiv - it was operated by one of the Ukrainian airlines.

Very close to Kutaisi is the Gelati Monastery, which is considered one of the main ones in the country. The son of David the Builder, who was buried here, at one time took the iron gates from the city of Ganja - they are now kept in Gelati. This monastery can be proud of having an ancient observatory and even an entire academy. There is an assumption, not yet confirmed by anything, that the legendary Queen Tamara is buried in this monastery.

At the top of the mountain, sandwiched between two gorges, there is another amazing monastery - Motsameta, which offers simply magical views of the surrounding area. As legend has it, the monastery was built in the place where the Georgian princes Constantine and David were executed, who flatly refused to forcibly convert to Islam, which the invaders forced them to do. Both rulers were subsequently canonized. In the very center of the monastery, in the ark, the relics of David and Constantine are kept.

Recreation and entertainment

Residents of Kutaisi are looking forward to the coming of May, the month in which the main city holiday “Katuisoba” falls. It is celebrated for only one day, the second day, but it charges you with positive emotions for the year ahead. The heart of the holiday becomes the central park, where people from all over the city gather. Guests come from other localities in Georgia. The enchanting performance - national dances performed by talented local artists - is watched with pleasure and Foreign tourists. Of course, at the festival you can also enjoy delightful, soul-touching folk music. So if you find yourself in the capital of Imereti on May 2, be sure to take part in “Katuisoba” - you are guaranteed a good mood!

A simple walk around the 3,000-year-old city is a great way to relax. To feel the unique atmosphere of Kutaisi, take a promenade in the area of ​​the ancient quarter of Mtsvane Kvavila or visit the Jewish district, the main attraction of which is the old synagogue.

One of the favorite places for walking is the White Bridge over the Rioni River, completely pedestrian and the most beautiful of all city bridges. It is also famous for the bronze statue of a boy holding two hats, a symbol of art. Tourists, and the residents of Kutaisi themselves, are happy to take pictures against its background.

Once at the end of Gorky Street (this section is in the center of Kutaisi), the road will lead you to picturesque hills from which beautiful views of the city, two monasteries - Motzameta and Gelati, and the Sataplia nature reserve. This route is perfect not only for walking, but also for cycling and hiking. The place is also suitable for organizing picnics with family and friends, evening gatherings around the fire, or for camping right under the open night sky.

At the top of the hill, at 1 Vazha Pshavela Street, there is a park named after Vissarion Gabashvili, from which a magnificent panorama of Kutaisi opens. Inside the park there is another park - an entertainment park, with attractions that children especially love to frolic on. You can get to this place by funicular; its route stretches from the city center and runs directly above the river bed. If you get hungry, be sure to visit the Imereti restaurant serving traditional Georgian cuisine - it is also located on the territory of the park.

We also advise you to pay attention to the fast food establishment, which is called the “Kutaisi McDonald’s” - this is the kebab shop “Bikentia”, opened back in 1956. They serve only kebab (kababi in Georgian) and nothing else, and this has been the case for sixty years! There are no chairs provided (this is not a restaurant), but none of the visitors feel any discomfort about this. Delicious sausages, floating in gravy and flavored with aromatic local spices, can be eaten while standing, leaning on the wooden “window sills”. A serving of juicy kababi with a slice of fresh bread costs only 5 lari - a ridiculous price even for Georgia. The dish is prepared quickly and is usually served on porcelain plates.

A great time out for the whole family would be a trip to one of the five museums in Kutaisi, each of which is unique in its own way. Young representatives of the stronger sex are especially interested in two of them, the Sports Museum and the Museum of Military Glory. The first one has free entry. Another wonderful museum, the state historical museum, is dedicated to the history of Kutaisi and ancient Georgia in general. It stores more than 150 thousand exhibits.

The exhibition in Archaeological Museum Vani. The exhibits there cover the period from the 8th to the 1st centuries BC, among them you will see examples of household utensils of those times and a numismatic collection. But in the Museum fine arts, which bears the name of David Kakabadze, contains unique paintings and sculptures, the authors of which are the best masters of Georgia.

It is very interesting to visit Kutaisi Botanical Garden, which arose in the middle of the 19th century. The samples of dendroflora presented here are 700 species of various plants, shrubs and trees, covering 80 botanical families and all floristic regions of the world.

Sports fans should definitely visit the city's rugby stadium. This sports complex, located on 8 hectares, has four fields for this popular team game with an oval ball. The Kutaisi city team in this sport is one of the best in the country. She often plays here at the stadium, so you have a unique chance to watch her play, as they say, live. Entry to the stadium is free.

Shopping in Kutaisi

The second capital of Georgia can hardly be classified as a city where tourists purposefully go shopping, that is, such a concept as a shopping tour does not apply to Kutaisi. However, not a single visitor has ever left here empty-handed. Given the local specifics, most likely your travel bags will be filled with churchkhela, suluguni cheese and other exclusive dishes.

And, of course, foreigners, including Russians, bring excellent Georgian wine from Kutaisi. True or not, they say that it is very capricious and does not like road shaking. First of all, this applies to semi-sweet varieties, which supposedly lose their unique taste qualities on the road. Be that as it may, remember one thing: only 2 liters of wine are allowed to be exported abroad without duty. If you want to take more home, you will have to pay.

The main places for shopping in Kutaisi are, of course, local markets. There are two of them in the city. The first is located near the Colchis fountain, that is, in the very heart of the city. But the second one, it is called “Chavchavadze”, is located at some distance from the center. Local residents really like to shop at the markets. Tourists are not far behind them. The thing is that the assortment in these retail outlets is very wide. In addition to the food line, industrial products are also presented here.

At local bazaars you can also buy cute gifts to remember your trip. One of the most popular souvenirs are shaggy national headdresses. You can choose from black ones, like those of the highlanders, as well as Svan or Tushino ones - the latter are sewn from felt. Men must buy a real Georgian horn for wine. Women often pay attention to cute refrigerator magnets, which they buy for themselves and as gifts for friends.

Available in Kutaisi and shopping centers: “Karvasla” and “Grand Mall”. The main items here are clothing and textiles produced in neighboring Turkey. If you are very lucky and get here during the sales season, which usually falls in September, you will certainly find very high quality and, most importantly, inexpensive items.

Hotels and accommodation

When you arrive in Kutaisi, you will definitely not be left without a roof over your head. Accommodation for tourists here is presented for every taste and budget. Of course, there are no luxury hotels like those on exotic islands in this Georgian city. However, there are good, cozy European-style hotels.

The Edemi Hotel is very popular among visitors. It is located in the very center of the Old Town and attracts relatively inexpensive prices. For example, one night in this hotel will cost $40 or more. A room at the Aeetes Palace Hotel costs slightly more, $70 per night. It is located in a new urban microdistrict on the left bank of the Rioni. The center of Kutaisi is very close from here.

Close to the Bagrati Temple, on Debi Ishkhnelebi Street, there are several guesthouses and small hotels. Cost of living - you won't find it cheaper! The average cost of stay varies from 10 to 20 dollars per person per night. Judging by the reviews of tourists, one of the most popular among visitors is the Beka guesthouse. The rooms are comfortable, equipped with shower and toilet. In addition, the food here is also delicious. Guests also speak highly of guest house“Darejani”, located on Chanchibadze street, 4.

If you come to Kutaisi not alone, but with your family and children, it is best to stay in the Central Apartments Kutaisi. In that hotel complex, located in the city center, you can even rent a separate apartment for yourself. Accommodation will cost $40 per night. Another convenience is that many attractions are nearby, for example, the Bagrati Temple, as well as the market.

Traveling youth prefer to stay in hostels, of which there are several in Kutaisi. In the city center there is the Kutaisi Hostel Center, where a double room costs at least $13. You can get by with a bed in a shared room, paying $7 per bed. A double room at the Kiev Kutaisi Hostel will cost guests more than twice as much – $30. Here you can also order a bed, but only in a shared room for four people, the cost is $8. In terms of comfort, city hostels are almost as good as good hotels.

How to get there

From Russia there are direct flights Moscow - Kutaisi, operated by Ural Airlines twice a week - on Tuesday and Saturday. A round trip ticket costs between 12-13 thousand rubles. In the high season, that is, in summer, the cost of travel traditionally increases.

If you are in Tbilisi, then the easiest way to get from the capital of Georgia to Kutaisi is by railway transport. Train number 18 departs at 9:00 am, arriving at 2:15 pm; number 878 departs at 15:25 (it arrives at 19:25); and finally at 21:10 the last train leaves, arriving at 02:50. The average cost of tickets is from 9 to 15 Georgian lari. You can purchase them not only at the box office, but also online, on the website of the Georgian Railways (information on the resource is published in three languages ​​- Georgian, Russian and English).

The Tbilisi – Kutaisi route is operated by Metro Georgia and Georgian Bus. The departure time of Georgian Bus buses does not vary from time to time, since this company is the official carrier of Kutaisi Airport, and its schedule is adjusted to the arrival and departure of aircraft. But mostly flights operate in the morning at 05:00, 06:00 or 08:00 and in the evening at 20:00 and 23:00. But the Metro Georgia bus schedule is not flexible: flights from Tbilisi operate at noon, 4 pm and midnight. The fare is 15 GEL. The buses of this carrier are comfortable, they are equipped with a TV and access to wireless Internet.

Kutaisi is connected to the capital of the country and by air line. Every week on Wednesdays and Sundays, Georgian Airways planes fly here from Tbilisi. A one-way ticket costs about 100 GEL, and the journey will take you only half an hour.

It is comfortable to get from Tbilisi to Kutaisi by rented car. The distance between the cities is small by Russian standards, 230 km, which can be covered in less than three hours. The route runs along the E60/ს1 highways. However, if you are under 21 years old, you will not be given a rental car to avoid problems with the traffic police. The standard conditions for renting a car also provide for the availability driver's license international class, paying a cash deposit at small local rental shops. In international offices, you will need a bank card for this.

In addition, every hour from the Tbilisi Didube station there are departures to Kutaisi. minibuses. The fare for them is 10 GEL; the journey will take you about four hours.