Project EscapeLand

Development and promotion of active tourism in the Black Sea Basin – Escapeland

Self Government City Of Kutaisi

- Georgia -

Isn't it impossible to travel to one city and experience a few days long, an unforgettable journey through time?

Imagine starting your odyssey by observing real footprints of dinosaurs, house-caves of prehistoric humans, nature reserves from the Jurassic period, canyons, and waterfalls.

Then find yourself in an antic time city having a close eye on jewelry, kitchenware, and materials from 8th century BC. The jewelry made of Medea’s Gold, the same Medea probably known for you from the Greek myth about Argonauts and Golden Fleece.

In a quest of past time shadows and silhouettes, you will encounter orthodox churches of early Christianity. Somewhere on the old wall paintings of Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati, or Motsameta monasteries you may discover a history of a small country placed in between the East and the West.

Kutaisi - Europe’s oldest city

This history, oldness and tenseness are quieted down in old streets of Kutaisi, on old epitaphs and signboards, old-time balconies of the houses in Catholic and Jewish quarters.

But if you desire to lose a sense of time and walk away from reality, then your place seems to be on Imeruli Supra which is the name of feast table and tradition of gathering guests and hosts together in Imereti. Tandem of superb dishes, soft Imeretian wine, and sweet Imeretian songs will swiftly take you to pronoun magic world of famous Georgian “Supra”. It will be interesting for you to know that there are many wine cellars in little villages covering Imereti’s green hills where an attentive host will surely explain differences between Tsolikauri, Tsitska, Otskhanuri Safere, and Krakhuna-Imeretian wine.

The places we recommend to visit in Kutaisi are:

Bagrati Cathedral - built by the first king of unified Georgia Bagrat III in 1003, the cathedral represents the symbol of the unity of Georgia.

Royal District – The whole district features the Golden Marquee, once a palace of Imeretian kings, six streets, and thirty-eight buildings. This is the best area to spend leisure time and look for nice cafes and restaurants serving local food and drinks.

White bridge - The White Bridge, in the old part of the city, was built in 1852 and it was finally reconstructed in 1872. The steel structure and the railings were painted white. After that, it got its name the White Bridge. Today this place is a favorite gathering area for local people and the visitors in Kutaisi.

Golden Marquee – on this spot once stood the palace of Imeretian Kings. Today, a two-storeyed museum houses some of the artifacts of Bagrationis – Georgian Royal family. There is 800 years old plane tree in the garden.

Cable Car - It takes only 5 minutes to get to the B. Gabashvili Culture and Recreation Park by cable car. Colchis Fountain – located in the central square of Kutaisi, it presents enlarged models of ancient golden artifacts found nearby Kutaisi during archaeological excavations. Among them, you may find the statue of “Tamada” (toastmaster). The fountain was built in 2011. Kutaisi State History Museum was founded in 1912. At the exhibition and in its archives the museum features more than 150 thousand items of the cultural heritage of the country. They include Bronze Age and Antiquity period artifacts.

David Kakabadze Kutaisi Fine Art Gallery – The gallery was founded in 1976. The gallery features collections of Georgian artists – paintings, drawings, sculptures, and applied art samples. Original paintings by the most famous Georgian artist, Pirosmani, are exhibited there. In the gallery, you will also find a souvenir shop.

Catholic Quarter - In the XVII century, the missionaries of the Franciscan Order of Friars also known as the Capuchins arrived in Kutaisi and settled on the left bank of the River Rioni. Later, the territory was called the French Quarter. At the beginning of the 19th century, King Solomon II commissioned Catholic missionaries and granted them a place to build a Catholic Church in 1862. (It is currently the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation).

Jewish quarter and Synagogue - Jews quarter is located in the central part of Kutaisi, at Boris Gaponovi Street, where there are located three synagogues built at different times. The largest of them (the second largest in Georgia) was built in 1886. Green Market or Bazaar is located in the city center. Here you can buy different local products, fruits, vegetables, spices, sweets, pickles, etc.

Kutaisi Botanical Garden - In the 19th century, a botanical garden was planted in Kutaisi, on the right bank of the river Rioni. For this reason, the best botanists from Europe were invited. The Kutaisi Botanical Garden is distinguished by its unique biodiversity and the dendroflora that includes about 578 species of plants.

Rafting on the river Rioni - Kutaisi is a unique city in Georgia where one can experience a 5-kilometer rafting tour, full of extreme sensations on the territory of the city. Working hours: depending on the seasons. For additional information, contact the Kutaisi Tourist Center.