Racha
Racha is a historical mountainous region of Georgia in the upper reaches of the Rioni River. Officially, this region is called Racha-Lechkhumi, consisting of two Racha districts, one Lechkhumi and one Svan. It is worth paying attention to the ridge stretching along the border with the Sachkhera district. These are very beautiful mountains, composed of limestone, with many caves and interesting rocks.Racha is one of the most picturesque corners of Georgia, where the Khvanchkara vineyards are located, only the endemic varieties of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grow here, from which Stalin's favorite wine was made. It turned out to be impossible to plant these grape varieties in other regions of Georgia, so the real Khvanchkara is made only here.Racha, although considered a mountainous region of Georgia (some even call it "Georgian Switzerland"), is located not in the mountains, but in the foothills. Thanks to this, there is a comfortable cool weather in summer, and in winter the Crustacean is not blocked by snowfall. In Racha, ancient history and picturesque nature have come together. Racha-Lechkhumi was inhabited back in the Stone Age, which is proved by archaeological materials. Archaeologists in Lechkhumi have found the "Tsager Treasure" dated from the 9th-11th centuries BC. Racha-Lechkhumi's uniqueness is determined not only by its magnificent geographical location, but also by its rich and diverse flora and fauna. The winding mountains of this region, the snow-capped white peaks of the Caucasus Range, rivers and waterfalls, numerous forests and animals and birds common in them, natural caves, passes, alpine meadows, roads and paths, the Shaori and Lajani reservoirs, and other attractions are endlessly admired by eyewitnesses. Getting to know and communicate with the local ethnic population has a unique effect. Their historical past, way of life, culture, and folklore are immeasurably rich, as ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, Turkish, and European explorers and travelers wrote about back then. The climate here is of two types: moderately humid subtropical and mountainous subtropical. The average annual temperature is +9°C - +11°C, in summer +20°C - +22°C.
The administrative center of Racha-Lechkhumi region is Ambrolauri.After walking around this small town, it is impossible to miss the monument to Khvanchkara, to see
The central square with the city administration building, park, Rachinskaya tower, church and monument to St. George.The main attractions here are not man-made, but natural: mountain landscapes, clean air.
From Ambrolauri, further east along the Rioni River valley, after 8 km, the road to the village of Cesi leads to the Barakoni temple, which is dominated by the ruins of the 18th-century Mindatsikhe fortress. The legend that Queen Tamara spent her childhood here is very popular in Racha, although almost all regions and cities of Georgia claim this honorary role. Historians also claim that the Mindatsikhe fortress is the residence of the Rachin eristavs (appanage princes during the period of feudal fragmentation of the country).
The balneo-climatic resort of Shovi, located 25 km northeast of the Oni district center on the slopes of the Main Caucasian Ridge, is especially appreciated. Carbon dioxide bicarbonate calcium-sodium sources. Treatment of respiratory diseases of a non-tuberculous nature, digestion, nervous system. Shovi is considered the highest mountain balneological resort in Georgia (1600 m). It is known for its forests and mineral waters. People come here to be treated or just to relax.
In addition to all this, there are other attractions in Shovi that attract tourists. These are mountains, glaciers and Alpine lakes, which are a few hours walk from the resort. To the north of Shovi are the Buba, Chanchakhi and Karaugom mountains, and to the south is the Caucasus Range. Glaciers and one lake, which locals call "Ujiro" (bottomless), deserve special attention.After completing this route, you will have the opportunity to see it all. The location of Shovi resort is suitable for mountaineering and rock climbing. It is known that in this part of the Caucasus, there are still such peaks that have not been conquered by any climber. The height of some peaks reaches 4,600 meters above sea level.
Shkmeri - the inhabitants of this village invented chicken with garlic sauce, and this dish is now known in Georgia as "shkmeruli". The village itself is extremely interesting. The height here is 1,700 meters, which is 1,000 meters higher than the Rioni level. There are no roads here, but you can walk along the trail from oni and the highway, you will have to walk about 10 kilometers all the way up. At the top you will find Shkmeri, as well as the villages of Haristvali and Usholta. A beautiful steep ridge runs from the north.
Mravaldzali Temple.translated as “The Multiplicity of Power", it is considered, perhaps, the greatest shrine in this region. Monastic life has been conducted in these places since very ancient times, as evidenced by the ruins of some religious buildings 3 kilometers from today's village. But something forced the monks to leave their habitable cells and move to the top of Mount Kvintsikhe, where in the 11th century, during the reign of the glorious Bagrat III, the first church dedicated to St. George was built.
The history of the temple is covered with legends, confirming that it was considered the greatest shrine in the region, and the authority of the monks who lived in it was indisputable. In its original form, the church existed until 1894, when Archpriest Mikhail Skhirtladze decided to renovate and expand it, turning it into a domed structure. Only the eastern facade of the building has preserved its ancient appearance.
In the twentieth century, disaster befell the temple twice. In 1934, he was robbed by unknown robbers who stole almost all of his treasures. Only the helmet of Jalal al-Din, the sword of the Persian Shah Abbas I and several ancient artifacts remained intact. Half a century later, the devastating earthquake of 1989 almost wiped the temple off the face of the earth, after which it had to be rebuilt literally bit by bit. The restoration work was completed in 2009.
Shaori, an amazing place in Georgia (Racha Region), untouched by human hand, the lake is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level and is the pearl of Georgia.
Nikortsminda Cathedral (XI century) - "The White Bride", so this church is not called by chance. From the foundation to its highest point, it is covered with elaborate stone carvings, and inside it is painted with wonderful, bright frescoes of the 17th century. The cathedral is square on the outside, but round on the inside.
Tskhrajvari is the "Mountain of Nine Crosses" peak of the Rachinsky range (1,565 meters above sea level), located directly above the Nakerala Pass. The rocky mountain is covered with coniferous and deciduous forests, and in clear weather, its peak offers a panorama of the entire surrounding area — the Imereti plain, the Tkibuli reservoir, Mount Khvamli, as well as the mountain range beyond which the Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti and the Borjomi Gorge are located. Once there was a resort here and a cable car connected the mountain with the city of Tkibuli, but in the 90s the infrastructure fell into disrepair and today this place has gone wild, which, however, only enhances its energy. There are several legends about this mountain, which differ from each other in details, but they all come down to one thing. Once upon a time there was a family that somehow angered the Lord. And she was given a sign from above to follow the flight of the dove, and then build a church and install nine crosses in the very place where this dove will land. There is a dirt road leading from Nakerala Pass to Tskhradjvari. In the old days, it was paved, but now there is little left of the pavement, and you can only climb up to the tunnel, after which you get to the lower observation deck in a sturdy passenger car or an SUV. The panorama that opens from the lower observation deck is already quite enough for a flurry of emotions, but the most daring and insatiable, as a rule, climb higher and get to the very top. There is a clearly visible path leading to it. The last slope before the top must be "stormed", that is, crawl up to the rocky steps. All this is fascinating and quite passable. There are no difficult or injury-prone areas. When we reach the top, we see the ruins of an old church, on the territory of which there are nine iron crosses. Another one, the tenth, is more massive than the others and is placed at the highest point. You can see it from the path. A trip to Tskhradjvari can be attributed to the mandatory routes when visiting the Rachinsky region.
This is the most beautiful tour in Georgia – the views that open from the highlands cannot be described in words. There is always a persistent feeling of the victory of nature over civilization.
