Racha and Imereti: Journey in the Footsteps of the Golden Fleece

We've all heard the legend of the Golden Fleece and ancient Colchis since childhood, but few know that the fairytale place from the Greek myths about Jason and the Argonauts is quite real and was located among the stunning Georgian mountain landscapes and monuments in the Racha and Imereti regions.

Ancient history buffs should turn their attention to the Imereti region, home to the fortress in Shorapani—the small Turkish fortress of Tkhmeli in Baghdati. Equally fascinating is the palace in Guguti and fortresses such as Tsutskhvati, Itskisi, and Modimnaghe in Sachkhere. And don't forget the ancient monastery complex of Ubisi near Zestaponi and Kharagauli. But the hallmark of this region is not the fortress, but the stunningly beautiful Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi.

It was built between 978 and 1014, during the reign of the Georgian King Bagrat III. The church's architectural style is so unique and unusual that it was given its own name—Bagratid—for its inimitable stone carvings and mosaics. It is believed that this church, also known as the Church of the Assumption, was the site of the coronation of the renowned and highly respected Georgian King David IV Akhashenebeli, whose surname means "builder."

Interestingly, it was David the Builder who founded the Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi in 1106, which was one of the most important religious centers of medieval Georgia. At that time, it was a center of scholarship, housing the Gelati Academy, where ancient Greek philosophy was an important subject. Today, Gelati Monastery is the site of the Assumption of King David and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's worth noting that churches continue to be built in Georgia to this day, quickly becoming landmarks. One such landmark of modern times is the Church of St. Simeon the Stolnik in Katskhi, built into a forty-meter-high cliff, resembling a pillar from a distance, on the site of an older church. When visiting this landmark, it's important to know that, according to the ancient commandment of the founding fathers, women are forbidden from entering the church, and men, in turn, must climb a metal staircase.

Not long ago, the Sataplia Nature Reserve was established almost 10 kilometers from Kutaisi. Here you'll be amazed not only by karst caves with stalactites and stalagmites, but also by perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints. And for the most adventurous, an observation deck with a transparent floor has been erected on the cliff, offering incredible views of the city.

Do you know which region is known as the "Georgian Switzerland"?

Georgian Switzerland is the popular name for the Racha-Lechkhumi region, named for the breathtaking mountain range that runs along the border with the Sachkhere region. These beautiful limestone mountains, rich in caves and cliffs, unfortunately have no established routes today. However, a little further west, you can ascend from the village of Martvili or the Lechkhumi village of Makhura to the uninhabited Askhi plateau, hidden by a mountain wall. This is another mysterious and beautiful place in Georgia. Majestic mountains and centuries-old pine trees conceal the Shovi spa resort, renowned for its mineral waters and crystal-clear air.

Tourist maps of the Racha-Lechkhumi region offer only a small list of local churches and monasteries, although there are many more.

The Nikortsminda Church, the Barakoni Church, and the monastery in Udabno are the most famous. But no less interesting is the synagogue in Oni, built between 1890 and 1895 in a Moorish style rare in Georgia (its design was brought from Europe by Rabbi Eliyahu Amshikavi). This large and expensive synagogue was built in the very poor village of Oni for a reason: Eliyahu wanted to attract attention and investment to his native region from Nobel and the Rothschild family, both of whom were known for their religiosity.

The ancient architectural monuments aren't the only things of interest here. The Ambrolauri region produces the famous semi-sweet wine Khvanchkara, and you can also sample other wines here: Usakhelauri, Tvishi, Ojaleshi, Tsolikauri, and the exotic wines of the Lentekhi region.

We'd like to remind you of Colchis, which we mentioned at the very beginning of our article. The ancient authors Pindar and Aeschylus wrote about this kingdom in the mid-1st millennium BC. According to legend, the Argonauts came here in search of the Golden Fleece, and Prometheus was chained to a rock somewhere in the Caucasus Mountains.

You can read more about the development of the Colchis Kingdom in an article on the Madloba website. You can also easily find useful information about the Georgian people, their development, and prosperity on the pages of the catalog. Recommendations from our experts will help you plan the perfect trip to the ancient kingdom of Georgia!

Read also

• Zestafoni: The City Protected by Higher Powers
• Tkibuli — Heart of the Forest: Mining Town in Georgia