Georgia, Racha: description, history and sights

Racha is one of the most beautiful places in Georgia. Its picturesque nature is difficult to describe in words, it is much better, certainly, to see with your own eyes.

Description of the area

Georgian Switzerland Racha-Lechkhumi - that's how it is rightly called this historical region, which is located in the upper reaches of the Rioni River. The center of this paradise of nature is the city of Ambrolauri.

Let's describe the terrain, which the whole of Georgia is proud of. Racha centuries ago was an area that was under the protectorate of the Imeretian king. At the very beginning of the nineteenth century, it became part of the Russian Empire. Now this is the area of the Ons and Ambrolaur regions of Georgia.

Cathedral in Nikorsminde

In addition to the amazing beauty of mountain scenery, Racha will please the tourist with the most ancient Orthodox shrines.

First of all, this is the cathedral in Nikorsminde. This cross-domed church, built in the eleventh century, fascinates the traveler with its stone walls, adorned with unique ancient frescoes and carvings. Bas-relief compositions reflect the famous biblical subjects: Judgment Day, the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, the Transfiguration of the Lord, as well as individual figures of saints.

A beautiful arched entrance to the church, narrow and tall windows give a stern and majestic view of the building. Particularly striking is the beauty of the dome ceiling inside the temple.

Church of Our Lady of Baraconi

What is worth seeing for those who are interested in Georgia, Racha? Another temple, which is also an architectural monument, is located in the village of Cesi. It was erected in 1753.

The Church of Our Lady of Barakoni is built on a cliff that rises above the Rioni River. The structure has the shape of a cross with straight angles. There are no extensions to the temple. The splendor of the external stone walls, richly decorated with carvings, is not inferior to the interior decoration of the church. A slender stone building with a blue roof looks spectacularly in the sea of green foliage.

Fortress of Minda

Not far from the above-mentioned temple are the ruins of the fortress of Mind. Historians have not decided on the exact date of construction of the temple. But they say that it existed already in the tenth century. Later there was a residence of local rulers. If you believe the legend, it was here that the childhood of the great Georgian queen Tamara passed .

Racha (Georgia): attractions

Lovers of medieval architecture will be very interested in visiting the fortresses of Kvari Bugeuli, Patara Oni and Labechi. These buildings, full of harsh, and at the same time exquisite beauty, survived in time the buildings look unimaginably against the backdrop of the mountains.

In Rachi there are temples not only of the Orthodox faith. In the city of They is a synagogue, built in 1895. It is here that the center of the Jewish community in Georgia is located. In addition to the synagogue mentioned above, travelers will be curious to see the local history museum, which tells the story of the city of They, once the capital of the whole Rachi. Expositions of the museum are very diverse from archaeological finds and fragments of architecture of temples built in the tenth century, at the dawn of the early Middle Ages.

The next city, undoubtedly worthy of attention of tourists, is Ambrolauri. In the seventeenth century, the residence of Imeretian kings was located here. Worthy of attention of travelers is the Museum of Fine Arts.

Khvanchara

In Ambrolauri there is a monument to the wine "Khvanchara". It is a huge bottle, located on the main square of the city. This wine has become a kind of visiting card of the region. Originally it was called Kipianevsky. On the name of the princes Kipiani, who in 1907 presented this wine at a prestigious competition in Belgium. The wine produced a furor. It won first place. And Georgia topped the list of the best winemaking countries. Over time, this variety began to be called "Khvanchara." By the name of the village, in which the grapes "Alexandrouli" and "Mujuretuli" grow, from which this wine is made.

Healing Sources

The magnificent nature, surprisingly curative mountain air is far from everything that Georgia is rich in. Racha is a very interesting place. There are a lot of healing unique sources here. Medical and mineral waters, some of them are rich in sulfur content, are located near the resorts of Hidikari, Bugeuli, Sortuani, Muashi, Kveshwake, Shovi, Utsera. In addition to healing drink, these places are just wonderful paradise corners. In the village of Utsera, where the balneological resort of the same name is situated, vacationers can see the church of St. George built in the Middle Ages. And nearby

There are ruins of the fortress of three churches. The unique nature of the mountainous region, gives even the ruins a poetic enchanting view.

Shaora Reservoir

The magnificent natural landmark of the region is the Shaor water reservoir.

Quiet, clean water surface in a fascinating frame of wooded mountains - the Nakarl mountain range and Satsaliki mountain. This is a high-altitude reservoir, around which there are many funnels and wells.

Rioni River

What is worth seeing for those who are interested in Georgia? Racha is rich in bright water attractions. For example, the river Rioni. Strong, powerful, with crystal clear water. To fully enjoy the beauty of Rioni, tourists are offered rafting on the river. This, of course, will interest fans of extreme recreation.

Unique mountain landscapes, combining snow peaks, towering above the forest, are decorated with waterfalls. The valleys and gorges, the luxuriant vegetation and streams of rivers falling from the mountains ...

Racha (Georgia): how to get there?

You can reach this picturesque region only by road. One of the routes is from the village of Terzhola through Tkibuli to Ambrolauri along a beautiful asphalt road. You can take a line minibus from Tbilisi or Kutaisi (again to Ambrolauri).

Conclusion

Now you know what Georgia is interesting. A trip to Racha is a journey that must necessarily be done. After all, in this region is very beautiful and interesting.