Sights of Zugdidi, Georgia: description, history and interesting facts

Recently, among travelers, it has become more popular to become such a trend as Georgia. And indeed, the country Sakartvelo beckons with its warm hospitality, sincere toasts, incendiary lezginka, beauty of wild mountains and beautifully preserved sights. People come here to rest their soul and gain the magical power that the benevolent Georgians and mountains of the Caucasus give.

Some facts

One of the most respected cities is Zugdidi (Georgia). It is the administrative center of Zugdidi district, as well as Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti and Zugdidi-Tsaish diocese, located in the western part of the country. In translation from Georgian "zugdidi" means "big hill".

The population of the city during the Soviet Union was about 110 thousand people. But with the collapse of the USSR and the closure of many enterprises in the territory of Zugdidi, the city's population has declined to 75,000 people. Here, mostly speak the Zugdidi dialect of the Megrelian language, which is considered a classic and a standard.

Location

Zugdidi (Georgia) is located at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level. From the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi - Zugdidi is about 300 kilometers away. And from the nearest settlement on the Black Sea, it is separated by 30 kilometers. Therefore, many travelers, directing to relax on the beach, must visit Zugdidi.

How can I get there?

There are several ways to move around in a country like Georgia. The city of Zugdidi is in the Colchis Lowland, and can be reached by plane, train, bus or car.

If you choose the air way, then in this case passengers are served by the crew of a comfortable aircraft. The ticket price is 150 lari (approximately 3.5 thousand rubles) round trip, the journey time is 1 hour. Since there is often volatile weather in the mountains, the flight can also be canceled unexpectedly.

The aircraft is a small Canadian-built aircraft that can carry 20 people on board. Flies from Tbilisi, from the private airport Natakhtari, which is located near Mtskheta, and resides in Mestia. From Mestia to Zugdidi can be reached by taxi or minibus.

In Zugdidi (Georgia) railway station is the most western in the country. The building, built during the Soviet era, perfectly preserved to our days, although it needs major repairs.

Now the city station is an intermediate station for those who travel to Svaneti - a mountainous and picturesque region, which Georgia is particularly proud of. The city of Zugdidi boasts a high-speed train that delivers passengers to Tbilisi and back. The journey takes 6 hours.

The cost of the train ticket to Zugdidi-Tbilisi on the reserved seat is 8.5 lari (202 rubles), if you take a ticket to the compartment, the ticket price will be 18 lari (430 rubles). And also there are tickets in the SV-compartment - 26 lari (620 rubles) and for seats 1 and 2 class - their cost will be 24 lari (570 rubles.) And 14 lari (333 rubles.) Respectively.

The most popular way among local residents to get to Tbilisi, and from there to any other point of Georgia is to take an intercity bus. The bus ticket costs 13 lari (310 rubles). Also from Zugdidi (Georgia) you can get to Poti, Rustavi and Chkhorotka. In addition, you can use the services of a private taxi, the cost of which is negotiable.

sights

The city of Zugdidi (Georgia) has very modest sights. Namely, the locals can only boast of the graceful ancestral palace of the Megrel princes Dadiani. The princes of Dadiani have an ancient aristocratic lineage, they were related to Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Or rather, one of the Georgian princesses was married to Napoleon's nephew.

Due to this famous relationship, the princes inherited several items of Napoleon, including his posthumous mask. For a long time princes were the keepers of the shroud of the Virgin Mary, which can now be seen only on great church holidays.

In addition, the garden of the princes Dadiani was very popular. To create it in the 19th century, the then ruler of Mingrelia, Princess Dadiani, invited famous European gardeners who brought rare flora with them.

Today this place is known as Zugdidi Botanical Garden, the area of which is 26.4 hectares. In the modern Zugdidi garden there are trees that are more than 200 years old, and they are some kind of single specimens on the Eurasian continent.

Where to stay

Tourists in this city are often transit - they follow the mountain region of Svaneti. Although there are those who wish to get acquainted with the Georgian identity, learn more about the traditions of the people. Such tourists with pleasure stop in Zugdidi.

Renting a house in Zugdidi (Georgia) is easy. As well as find a guesthouse. The room in the latter will cost an average of 50 lari (almost 1200 rubles), but it is advisable to book the room in advance. Here you can also find a house for a few days, which will amaze with its carved wooden ornaments, rich decorations and the benevolence of the hosts.

Walking around the city

The city center consists of two squares, which are connected by a boulevard. The length of the Zugdidi Boulevard is 511 meters, large trees grow in its center, which give a beautiful shade and coolness in the heat. Along the entire boulevard you can see local restaurants and cafes, as well as the Odishi Hotel, the Atrium cinema, the City Hall and the post office.

In the southern part of the boulevard is Freedom Square, which is the building of the administration of Samegrelo and several banks. Not far from the square is Zugditsky cathedral. In addition, from here goes the road to the south, smoothly passing into the route to Kutaisi and Tbilisi.

The northern part of the boulevard rests on the central square. It leaves Teatralnaya Street, which is home to the local Dadiani Drama Theater. On the other side of the square is the city stadium, past which runs the alley leading to the palace of Dadiani.

Modern history of the city

Compared with other CIS countries, modern Georgia has an interesting history of becoming. G. Zugdidi also does not remain. About him you can find a lot of entertaining information. He survived the bloody events.

The modern history of Zugdidi begins in 1921, when it was won by the Kuban Red Army during the Civil War. After the collapse of the Union, the city became a kind of headquarters of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who then headed the government in exile. After Georgia's attack on South Ossetia, the settlement was immediately captured by Russian troops and was soon released by them.

Residents of Zugdidi (Georgia) do not like to recall the past, and it is better not to talk about recent events with them. But their warm hospitality and cordiality will remain for life in the heart of every guest.