Traveling to Kartli

Kartli is a historical range in the middlemost and eastern Georgia, crossed by the river Mtkvari, where is the metropolis of Georgia. Due to the classical authors, Kartli played a decisive role in the consolidation of political and ethnic Georgians in the middle Ages.

Territory of Lower Kartli stretches in semi-desert, subtropical and high-alpine areas.

Region rich in rivers, which number reaches 2,422, and the total length is 6980 km. The most known rivers are the Khrami, Algeti, Mashavera, Debeda and others.

Kvemo Kartli is divided into seven administrative units.

This region defers by natural wealth and beauty. Here are the beautiful landscapes of volcanic mountains and plains, the combination of vast fields and alpine mounts, mild climate, unique green areas, forests and pristine rivers and lakes, resorts with mineral and thermal waters.

Kartli has a great and ancient history that has passed through all stages of evolution of humankind. There were created great mounds of Trialeti of greater culture that legendary ancient Colchis. There are built in V-VI centuries and well-preserved historical monuments.

World interest was attracted by the archaeological find of troglodytes of prehistoric man in Dmanisi. They found that hominids lived here 1.8 million years ago and are the oldest in Europe and Asia.

Earliest instances of the Georgian epigraphy preserved in Sioni of Dmanisi, which dates from the V century BC. Total in the region are more than 650 historical monuments.

Shida Kartli was formerly known as Zena sopheli that means is the upper village. The region has historically included in Kartli, bounded by the east of river Aragvi, in the north by Caucasus, to the west – Likhi, and from the south – Trialeti Range.

Presentation of Georgian spirituality cannot be complete without a visit of Mtskheta, where in the fourth century St. Nino turned Iberian kingdom to Christianity.

Jvari monastery, built on the apex of a mountain between 585 and 604 years, majestically overhangs the scenic confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi.

Svetitskhoveli is the Cathedral of XI centenary of the period of country’s golden epoch. According to legend, under the Cathedral is buried the tunic of Christ.

Uplistsikhe is the ancient cavern borough, founded in the first millennium BC, the city was located along the itinerary of the famed Silk Road. Here are visible the old courtyards and regal palaces, pagan temples, a theater carved in the rock pharmacy and prisons.

Ateni church of seventh century is one of the exciting attractions while traveling in Kartli, delights visitors with its magnificent frescoes and bas-reliefs on the outer walls.