Shida kartli is a historical and geographical area in eastern Georgia and part of the historical Kingdom of Kartli. Traditionally, the territory of Shida Kartli included the areas surrounded by Aragvi River to the east, Caucasus Mountains to the north, Likhi Range to the west and Trialeti Range to the south.
From ancient times, Shida Kartli was criss-crossed by several important trade routes going from the north to the south as well as from the east to the west. This contributed to the creation of several towns along the routes: Mtskheta, Mukhrani, Gori, Urbnisi, etc. Natural conditions and geographic location of Shida Kartli rapidly defined the role this region would play in the history of Georgian statehood.
According to the modern administrative-territorial division, most of historical Shida Kartli is included into the eponymous region and the rest is part of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti (Mtskheta, Akhalgori) and Samtskhe-Javakheti (Borjomi) regions.
There are no rocky mountains or fervent waterfalls, no snowy peaks or mystic caves, no exotic or natural wonders that will attract any travelers attention, Shida Kartli is still a special place.
`Sakartvelo` is the name for Georgia in Georgian language, and is derived precisely from `Kartli`. This place was and always will be unifying point of Georgian lands.
Travertines of Britata
Location: Java municipality, 1920 meters above sea level
Access road: motor road Tskhinvali-Edisi-Ermani leads to the village of Shua Ermani in the Java municipality, from the village of Lower Ermani connected with Java by a motor way, to travertine’s of Britati leads a walking path of 5 km which can be used for horse riding; distance from Tbilisi – 167 km, from Gori – 100 km, from Java – 37 km
Travertine – is formed from hot or cold springs: precipitation of mineral water flowing from the outlets form solution in the ground that in the course of time creates unusual layers of sedimentary rock.
In Java municipality, in the surrounding area of the village of Britati and, partly, in the ground under the village there are significant deposits of time travertine. Power of growth attains several meters. There is a mineral lake near Kvemo Britati (diameter 16-18 meters) which looks like boiling from extracting of gases. Britati is one of the foremost travertine development regions in Georgia.
Lake Ertso
Location: Java municipality, council of Tsoni, origination of river Kvirila, confluence of Racha and Likhi mountain ridges; 1710 meters above sea level
Access road: Gori-Tskhinvali-Oni motor road not far from Lake Ertso; distance from Tbilisi – 157 km, from Gori – 75 km, from Java – 25 km.
Lake Ertso occupies four funnels, lake Devi – two. Therefore, lake Ertso is the biggest known karst lake in Georgia. The mirror surface area of the lake is 0,31 sq. km, volume of water – 650 thousand cubic meters, the deepest spot – 19 meters. For nearly 5 months Lake Ertso is covered with ice.
Cave Tsona
Location: Java municipality, countryside council of Tsona, source of river Kvirila, southern slope of mount Bubi; 2100 meters above sea level.
Access road: surrounding areas of Tsona cave be reached by car from Tskhinvali-Oni motor road (7-8 km) by tumpike using the run near lake Ertso. Distance from Tbilisi – 165 km, from Gori – 83 km, from Java – 33 km.
Near the village of Tsona, on the southern slope of Mount Buba, on 21000 meters above sea level, is located tonnel-like cave of karst origin which was discovered in 1958.
Lake Bateti
Location: Kareli municipality, territory of Zugdidi, basin of river Dzami, northern slope of Trialeti range; 1313 meters above sea level.
Access road: distance from the fork to rocky turnpike in Dzama gorge is 3 km, then it snakes to the climb where four-wheel high-performance vehicle is needed. Route units main segments is for walking; from remnants of village Bateti to the lake is 1,4 km. distance from Tbilisi 120 km, from Kareli – 25 km, from Gori – 55 km, from Kutaisi – 155 km.
The deepest point of the lake is 12 m, its length is 190 m, width – 150 m. it is guised in the colorful forest.
Bateti lake is one of the most popular and easy-to-rich tourist destinations.
Biisi waterfall
Location: Gori municipality, right bank of river Tana; 1222 m above sea level
Access road: to the gorge of river Biisistskali leads a turnpike, from the fork to the waterfall the distance is 3 km, distance from Tbilisi 104 km, from Gori -27 km.
In the upper of the river Tana, in the gorge, there is a 50-meter-high waterfall. In January and February when temperature in the gorge goes deeply down, waterfall is completely frozen.
Biisi waterfall is one of the amazing pictures which lovers of mountain climbing, adventures, tourist marches or simply beauty spot travellers can see.
In 3 km from Biisi waterfall, on the right bank of river Tana, on 1080 meter above sea level, is located climatic and balneological resort Biisi noted for its awesome landscapes and unique health and mineral waters.
Kvernaki rock remnants
Location: Kaspi municipality, foot of the southern slope
Access road: from motor road Kaspi-Metekhi towards Kvernaki rocky leftovers leads a ground trail, distance 1,5 km; distance from Tbilisi – 68 km, from Gori – 35 km, from Kaspi 8 km.
Kvernaki range spreads across the left bank of Mtkvari river. It total length amounts to approximately 70 km. on the southern slope of eastern Kvernaki rocky relief is represented cliffs and cavities are lot. The most interesting in this vein is a complex of caves in the rock-hewn fortress-town Uplistsikhe. Today Uplistsikhe is an outdoor museum under the sky annually hosting thousands of tourists. On the southern slope are ruins of the church of Tetrakhevi monks. Foundation of the church is tied with the name of one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, Tate Stepantsmindeli.
Shida Kartli is spread in the very heart of Georgia, on the area of 6200 sq. km. the region includes six administrative and territorial entities as specified by the Georgian legislation: town of Tskinvali, municipalities of Gori, Kaspi, Kareli, Khashuri and Java.
Historical province of Kartli consisted of several parts and included Zemo (upper), Shua (middle) and Kvemo (lower) Kartli. Shida Kartli spread in the east up to river Aragvi and Tbilisi, in the North – up to the central range of Kavkasioni (Kavkasioni mountains), in the West up to the Likhi range, and in the South – up to Trialeti range and Paravani lake (Javakheti).
Today Shida kartli is an important transit joint wherefrom one can get to any corner of Georgia; its territory is crossed by international expressway and Rikoti tunnel connecting it with Imereti region. Rikoti tunnel constructed under Rocki pass in 1983 is one of tree backbone roads that connect Georgia with its big neighbor – Russia. Shida Kartli is crossed also by Transcaucasia central railway backbone.
There are natural architectural and cultural monuments on the territory of the region. Among them there are some outstanding ones: Sioni of Ateni, Church of Kuntsvisi, church of Samtavisi, Uplistsikhe, Rkoni Monastery, Gori fortress, surami fortress, tsromi church, Kvatakhevi..
Resort area of Abano
Location: Kareli municipality, riverbed of river Lopanistskali
Distance: 115 km away from Tbilisi, 25 km away from Kareli
Sea level: 680 m
Landscape: plain-hillocky
Climate: low mountain, moderately dry, winter moderately cold, with little snow, mean temperature in January – -1,2 degrees, summer warm, mean temperature in August 20,2 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 400-500 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 74%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2200 h
Natural treatment factors: low mountain climate and sulpuric-hydrogen chloride-hydro-carbonate, calcium-sodium mineral water with general mineralization 0,7 g/dm3
Types of therapy: mineral water bath, passive climate therapy
Diseases for treatment: cardiovascular, respiratory and muskulotherapy system, as well as gynecological diseases, cystitis, and chronic prostatitis, functional disorders of nervous system.
Village of Abano is one of the oldest settlements in the heart of Kartli. The moniker `Abano` (bathhouse in Georgian) was given to the place thanks to curing properties of the mineral water used by the residents of this area for treatment of various diseases.
Bu the end of XVIII c. Abano along with other hamlets of the river Prone gorge became also totally uninhabited due to non-stop incursions of tribes from Northern Caucasus. However, it got on its feet and today it is famous for its curing waters and springs.
On the plain of Shida Kartli, in the Kareli municipality, there are some other resort areas. From this point the gorge of river Dzama is standing out. In the 40 km-long gorge of river Dzama there are several resort areas, more than 50 monuments of cultural heritage and natural sights.
Resort of Gorijvari
Location: foot-hill of the Northern slope of Trialeti range, right bank of river Mtkvari
Distance: 85 km away from Tbilisi
Sea level: 680 m
Climate: low mountain, moderately dry, winter moderately cold, with little snow, mean temperature in January – -1,2 degrees, summer very warm, dry, mean temperature in August 22,3 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 498 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 74%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2300 h
Natural treatment factors: low mountain climate and sulfide, chloride-hydro-carbonate, sodium mineral water with general mineralization 0,9 g/dm3
Types of therapy: mineral water bath, passive climate therapy
Diseases for treatment: muskulosceletal system, pheriperial nervous system and gynecological diseaes.
Gori municipality is situated on the plain of Shida Kartli. The center of the region, town of Gori, for centuries was an important commercial hub as a point situated on the crossroads of strategic directions from Samachablo, Shida Kartli and Imereti. Its name derives from the rocky hillock in downtown where stands medieval fortress surviving up to the present.
There are several health and balneological resorts of various profile and diverse natural healing factors on the territory of municipality, including: Biisi (arthrological, gynecological and neurological profile hot mineral waters), Peli (health resort, recommended for patients with asthma, allergy, functional heart diseases, low arterial pressure), Ateni (health resort of preventive and cardiological profile in the basin of river Tani), as well as Sakavre, Boshuri, Bobnevi..
Gorijvari is several km away from Gori, settled on the Gorijvari mount. Its natural treatment factors include sulphuric-hidrogen, sulfide mineral water. In the 1980-ies a lot of people from different corners of the country used to visit this place for vacations and to improve health conditions. Nowadays only bathhouse is under operation in Gorijvari.
Other than mineral waters, miraculous properties of healing patients were ascribed to St. George Church because of St. Georges head which was buried in the foundation of it, as it was passed on from old times. On the spot of the church, in age-old time, stood pagan item of warship, and on this spot St. Nino who enlightened and baptized Georgia in the beginning of IV century, , erected a cross. After that this area started to be called Gorijvari. On the St. George Feast Days – on May 6 and November 23- celebrations called `Gorijvaroba` are held. These days a lot of worshippers ascend the mount.
Biisi waterfall. Gorge of river Tana. Waterfall freezes in wintertime. In the beginning of Febryary a festival of climbing up on the ice is usually organized here in which the best mountain climbers and amateurs participate.
Resort of Surami
Location: foot-hill of southern slope of Likhi range
Distance: 7 km away from Khashuri, 50 km away from Gori, 115 km away from Tbilisi
Sea level: 750 m
Landscape: hillocky
Climate: moderately continental, winter cold, with little snow, mean temperature in January – 9 degrees, summer warm, mean temperature in August 20,2 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 781 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 70%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2300 h
Natural treatment factors: low mountain climate and slightly sulfide-hydro-carbonate-sodium mineral waters with general mineralization 0,6 g/dm3
Types of therapy: passive climate therapy and mineral water baths
Diseases for treatment: chronic diseases of bones, functional disorders of pheriperal nervous system, skin, cardiovascular and nervous system.
Likhi, the same Surami range divides Georgia in two parts – Western and Eastern Georgia. Here passes the main expressway of the nation, as well as Tsipi railway and Rikoti auto tuunels. On the southern slopes of the range, several km away to the south-west from Khashuri is situated health and spa resort of Surami
Surami presumably was founded in II c. BC since the antique times, during centuries, thanks to convenient geographic location, Surami has been a point and important town on the ancient trade route – Great Silk Road. From the end of XIX across territory of Surami has run Poti-Tbilsi railway line which lost its function after construction of a tunnel under Surami slope. Today railway line is used for local transit only.
Surami is children profile resort. Its natural treatment factors are dry, subtropical air and deciduous forest spreading around the resort on 120 ha mixed with embedded coniferous forest tract. There are also many mineral water springs in the settlement. As a resort Surami has gained its name since the end of the XIX century. Since 1948 it gained the staus of a resort of local importance where several sanatoria and rest-houses were operated. It is worth mentioning that in 1938 childrens orphanage was opened in Surami where 300-400 children who lost parents in the second World War found their shelter.
Surami fortress. XI c. located on the bank of river Suramula, in the southern part of the settlement. Complex includes wall, fortress, tower. Palace and St. George Church dating XI-XII.
Kvishkheti
Location: slope of the Likhi range, left bank strip of river Mtkvari
Distance: 10 km away from Khashuri, 50 km away from Gori, 120 km away from Tbilisi
Sea level: 750 m
Landscape: plain-hillocky
Climate: Slow mountain subtropical, winter moderately cold, with little snow, mean temperature in January – -1,9 degrees, summer warm, mean temperature in August 20,7 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 567 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 70%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2100 h
Natural treatment factors: low mountain subtropical climate and slightly sulfide carbonate-sodium mineral waters with general mineralization 0,14 g/dm3
Types of therapy: thalassotherapy, magnetite sand baths
Diseases for treatment: cardiovascular, respiratory, food digestion and urinary and sexual system diseases, diabetes and ray exposure.
Khashuri municipality is spread in the central part os Georgia, on the plain of Sida Kartli. Territory of municipality expands to the east up to Doglauri Valley, and from the rest of three parts I t is surrounded by mountains of middle height (900-1000 m) from the North – by Southern slopes of Kavkasioni, from the west – by Likhi range, from the South – by Trialeti, or Northern slopes of Lesser Kavkasioni.
Administrative center of the region, town of Khashuri, first was mentioned in the document dating back to 1963. Then Khashuri was a small village. In XIX century, after construction of Poti-Tbilisi railway, it became an important railway hub. In 1921 Khashuri was announced to have the status of a town.
There are two resorts of republican importance in the municipality. Surami and Kvishketi. Irrespective of the fact that both administratively report to Khashuri municipality, they are usually mentioned in the group of Borjomi resorts.
Health and balneological resort of Kvishkleti surrounded by coniferous, spruce and mixed tree forest is located 10 km away from Kvishketi, on the Eastern slope of Likhi range. Unique healing properties of Kvishketi climate create warm humid air body coming from the Black Sea merging on the territory of the resort with mountain air. There are mineral water outlets on its territory used to cure carious diseases. Kvishketi is especially wholesome for children with respiratory tract diseases.
There are several monuments of cultural heritage in Kvishketi. Among them are: Church of the Holy Easter, Mtatsminda Church, Church of Transfiguration, Church of St. George, Church of St. Elia. Every year on Thursday following Feast of the Ascension, Kvishketi celebrates popular festival called `Mtatsmindoba`
Resort of Khovle
Location: Lowland of Shida Kartli, gorge of river Khevkhmela
Distance: 26 km away from Kaspi, 30 km away from Gori, 60 km away from Tbilisi
Sea level: 780 m
Landscape: plain-hillocky
Climate: low mountain, moderately dry, winter moderately cold, with little snow, mean temperature in January -1,2 degrees, summer warm, moderately dry, mean temperature in August 20,5 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 400-600 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 74%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2400 h
Natural treatment factors: low mountain climate and slightly sulfide sulpuric-hydro-carbonate, sodium mineral waters with general mineralization 0,8 g/dm3
Types of therapy: mineral water baths, passive climate therapy
Diseases for treatment: cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems and gynecological disease, functional disorders of nervous system, cystitis and chronic prostatitis, endocrine obesity.
Kaspi municipality located on the plain of Shida Kartly, on the both banks of river Mtkvari, is bordered from the nortn by southern ramifications of Kavkasioni mountains, from the south – by Trialeti range. Rivers Mtkvari, Ksani, Lekhura, Kavtura and Tezami flow on the territory of the district.
There are several resorts and resort areas in the Tezami gorge: Akhalkalaki (1040 m above sea level) high mountain climate is wholesome for prevention of respiratory diseases; Gostibe (1500 m above sea level) – is recommended for health improvement and treatment of bronchial asthma; Garikula (470 m above sea level) is good for respiratory tracts; Rkoni (950 m sea level) – for general health improvement of children and adults. Routes of the Tezami gorge include several historical monuments and are very popular among walking tourist lowers.
One more resort area in this municipality, village of Khovle, first of all is known for its historical heritahe. Near the village, on the Khovle mount, scholars unearthed ancient settlement ruins dating II-I millennium BC. Khovle is a spa resort of arthrological profile. There are several outlets of sulpuric mineral waters on its territory. In the 1980-ies of the last century resort of local importance status was operated here.