Tkibuli — Heart of the Forest: Mining Town in Georgia

Tkibuli is a city with a beautiful legend, located in the west of Georgia. At one time it was the center of coal mining in the Georgian SSR. However, the miners are working here and now. The population of the city is about 14 thousand people.

Architecture and buildings, mainly of Soviet times, Stalinist and post-Stalinist eras. A small market - in addition to the local flavor. On it you can buy churchkhela, homemade cheese, various spices, wine. The main attractions in this city are the Tkibul reservoir and the "mountain of nine crosses" - Tskhradzhvari.

Tskhradzhvari - according to legend, in one of the Georgian families, boys did not live to adulthood. The family has angered God in some way. Then the people who lived in the village decided to ask the Lord for forgiveness to everyone, so to speak, as a team. During the prayer, a revelation was sent down, according to which they should build a church on the place where the dove would fly and put 9 crosses there. The pigeon arrived, the church was built and crosses were put up. Accordingly, God forgave the family, and in general, people concluded that the strength is in unity.

However, at this time there are ruins of that church, but 9 iron crosses are still in their places.

For lovers of active recreation, it will be interesting to get acquainted with the Tkibul reservoir. Small bays, islands, fishing. Not far from the reservoir is the village of Tsutsvati. Caves can be found in its vicinity, according to those who have already managed to get acquainted with them, the caves are difficult to pass.

As for fortresses, temples and churches, it would seem that there are in every village. In the case of Tkibuli, the fortress can be found in Orpiri. Not far from Lake Shaori, there is a temple in the village of Nikortsminda.