Martvili

Understand

thumb|Martvili Monastery in winter Since the Middle Ages, the town of Martvili has been a religious centre of western Georgia. Until 1936 the place was called Chkondidi (ჭყონდიდი) because of the nearby Chkondidi Cathedral. The city was called Gegechkori (გეგეჭკორი, named after Sascha Gegechkori) from 1936 to 1990. In 1990, Martvili received the current name.

After 1990, as in many regions of Georgia, the already modest industrial production almost completely collapsed, and the population now lives largely from subsistence agriculture.

Get around

Marshrutkas go to most places in the region. The monastery is within walking distance from the centre. Taxis can also be chartered locally.

See

thumb|Main square of Martvili, above - up on the mountain - the monastery towers There is a local museum in the town centre.

Do

Canyoning and hiking in Dadiani Forest Park and Okaze Gorge: near Kinchcha village 15 km north of Martvili. There is a waterfall (near Kintschcha), a church (near Seda Gori) and two campsites (near Kintschcha and Rondisi). From Kutaisi, take a minibus from the bus station on Chavchavadze Street to the village of Gordi, 1 hour, 4 GEL.

Buy

In the city there is a fruit and vegetable market, a supermarket and numerous smaller mini markets.

Sleep

There are about ten accommodations in the village.