Tbilisi – Sataplia Reserve, #3.2

Trip to Sataplia from Tbilisi – Natural and architectural monuments: forest, caves, 11-12th century monasteries

Sataplia cave is located 7 kilometers from Kutaisi, on the territory of Tskaltubo. Sataplia cave belongs to karstic caves group. The cave is very beautiful, in which a huge part plays the variety of flora-fauna. There is an unique colchic forest on the territory of the cave. Here you can see a well preserved dinosaurs footprints. The cave is covered with the forest of stalactites and stalagmites. The climate here is humid. In winter and in summer the temperature is eleven-twelve degrees.

Trip to Kutaisi

Kutaisi is the oldest city of Georgia. It is first mentioned in Greek’s historical sources in 8^th century bc by the name  of “Kutaia”, which represented the capital city of Kolkheti kingdom.  Argonaut’s well-known story is also connected to the kingdom of Kolkheti. Kutaisi is located in western Georgia along both banks of the Rioni River. Kutaisi has been Georgia’s one of cultural and educational center for centuries. 

Trip to Bagrati 

Bagrati Cathedral is located in Kutaisi. It was built by the king Bagrat III in 11^th century. The remains of 8^th century bc antique construction and 6^th century bc basilica are discovered below the cathedral. Bagrati Cathedral is one of the best monuments of architecture and art of medieval Georgia. Architectural ornaments of the cathedral attract great attention. On the floor there is a trace of mosaic, on the walls you can see painting and fresco arrears. Bagrati Cathedral with Gelati Monastery Complex was a UNESCO World Heritage Site but due to improper implementation of restoration works on it has been removed from the list of UNESCO monuments.

Trip to Gelati Monastery

Gelati architectural complex was built by David IV, also known as David the Builder in 12^th century. It is located 12 kilometers from Kutaisi. Gelati is special for its array, architecture, paintings, mosaic. With Gelati Monastery in 1106 year famous Gelati Academy was established. It represented a theological institution, where geometry, arithmetic, music, philosophy, grammar, astronomy was taught. During its existence Gelati was the property of the royal family, that’s why the kings of the feudal age of Georgia are buried there. Gelati Monastery Complex is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument with multicultural values.           

History of Tbilisi

City was founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 4th century. The city is located in Eastern Georgia. The oldest architectural monument in Tbilisi is the 6th century Christian church Anchiskhati. Christianity was spread in Georgia in 4th-5th centuries. Since the foundation of Tbilisi, there are ancient shrines of Hebrew, Islamic and Catholic confessions.

Battles for Tbilisi

Until the 19th century, Tbilisi was conquered many times. This is the obvious illustration of conquests chronology: As a result of the conquest of the 4th and 6th centuries the city was occupied by the Persians; In the beginning of the 7th century Byzantines and Khazars with united powers had an attempt to conquer Tbilisi. In the first half of the 8th century The Arabs occupied Tbilisi, but in the second half of the 8th century Khazars raided the city. At the beginning of the second half of the 9th century, The Arabs occupied the city with many battles.

11th century

In the middle of the 11th century, by the first time the Elders Council took over the city authorities. By the end of the 60s of the 11th century the Turk-Seljuks took over Tbilisi; At the beginning of the 12th century Tbilisi was liberated by King David IV Builder and from that time Tbilisi is a capital city of Georgia (before that Mtskheta was a capital of Georgia), as a result in the 12th and the 13th centuries the population of Tbilisi exceeded 70 000 inhabitants.

13th century

In the 20s of the 13th century, the Kvarezians took over Tbilisi. Within a few years Tbilisi was occupied by the Mongols; In the first quarter of the 14th century Tbilisi was exempted from the invaders. By the end of the 14th century Amir Timur took over Tbilisi (who has battled 8 times in Georgia); In the 15th century the Persians took over and occupied Tbilisi 2 times.

Division of the state into principalities

At the end of the 15th century Georgia was divided into principalities and Tbilisi Became the capital of Kartli. In the first quarter of the 16th century Tbilisi was again taken by the Persians and King David X soon exempted it; At the end of the first half of the 16th century Tbilisi was once again taken by the Persians; From 1578 year Tbilisi was occupied by Ottomans; In the 18th century, because of these battles the number of inhabitants of the city decresead by 20 000 and within a weak economic conditions at the beginning of the 18th century the first printing house was founded in Tbilisi.

18th century

In the first quarter of the 18th century Ottomans conquered Tbilisi, within 10 years Persians occupied the city; In 1748 King Erekle II liberated Tbilisi. Since then the development of the industries began in the city but the trace of it faded away quickly because of the occupation of the city by Persian Shah – Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar in 1795. These conquests made it impossible for Georgia to develop economically. In 1801 Georgia was merged by Russia.

Fight for State Independence

Since 1802, fighting for restoration of state independence of Georgia has begun, which was achieved only in 1918 year. Georgia has restored state independence, but it soon was lost in 1921 year. After a great standoff, Georgia was able to re-establish the statehood in 1991 and the avant-garde of this 2-century battles and struggles was permanently Tbilisi.

For those who want to travel to cultural monuments in Georgia!

This page presents only one-day tour, which includes one days and nights with hotel, three- or four-time meals and transport services.

Therefore, it is better to create a tourist package consisting of two, three or more different routes according to your interests from the 51 different tours available on this website.