Telavi
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Telavi (Georgian: თელავი) is the main city and administrative center of Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti. Its population consists of some 28.000 inhabitants. The city is located on foot-hills Tsiv-Gombori Range on the height of 850m above the sea level. First archeological findings from Telavi date back from bronze age. According to historical data, one of the first accounts of Telavi was documented in the 2nd century AD, by Greek geographer Ptolemeus, who mentions the name Teleda (a reference to Telavi). Telavi began to transform into a fairly important and large political and administrative center in the 8th century, AD. Interesting information on Telavi is provided in the records by an Arab geographer Al Mukadis of the 10th century, who mentions Telavi along with such important cities of that time's Caucasus as Tbilisi, Shamkhor, Ganja, Shemakha and Shirvan. Speaking about the population of Telavi, Al Mukamdis points out that for the most part is consisted of Christians.
From the 10th until the 12th century (AD), Telavi served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti. During the so called Golden Era of the Georgian State (12-13th centuries), Telavi turned into one of the most important political and economic centers of the Georgian State . After the disintegration of the united Georgian Kingdom in the 15th century, the role of Telavi started to decline and the city eventually became an ordinary town of trade and crafts. Telavi re-gained its political importance in the 17th century and by 1762, it turned into the second capital (after Tbilisi) of the united Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti. The reign of King Erekle II was a special epoch in the history of Telavi. during this period (1744-1798) it grew into a strategic and cultural centre. Irakli II set up the second, after Tbilisi, capital of Kartl-Kakheti kingdom in Telavi, established ecclesiastical seminary, founded theatre there. The name of Irakli II is associated with actions aimed at national liberation and unification of Georgia. Since his life to the cause of physical survival of the Georgian people. King Erekle II's reforms touched upon all the aspects of life in the country. they changed fundamentally the political, economical and cultural orientation of Kartli-Kakheti and, subsequently of the whole Georgia. His name became a symbol of freedom and national independence of the Georgian people. They still call him affectionately “Patara Kakhi” (Little Kakhetian). Hist heroic deeds are described in the folk literature.
In 1801, after the Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti was annexed by the Russian Empire, Telavi lost its status as a capital. In the 19th century, the city was given the status of an administrative center of a small, geographical sub-unit of the Russian Empire within the Tbilisi Gubernyia. During that period, the economy of the city was mainly composed of small-scale industries (leather painting, pottery production, wine-making, etc.), commerce and agriculture.
At present, the city of Telavi is connected with Tbilisi by two highways. The most widely travelled (and better-paved) highway runs through the rural areas of Kakheti and is longer (the overall length of the highway is approximately 156 km) than the route, which runs through the highlands of the Gombori Mountain Range. The shorter route (approx. 96 km) is quite scenic, but is less exploited due to the reconstruction works that are being carried out on the higway.
Telavi and its surroundings are rich in historical, architectural and natural monuments. Important heritage monuments preserved within the city limits include: "Dzveli Galavani" (old walls) - fortress of the first Kakhetian kings (9-10th centuries, AD); Church of the St. Mary (16th century, AD); Church of the Holy Trinity (6th century, AD); Fortress "Batonis Tsikhe" (fortress of master) built in 17th century, AD - this is the only, well-preserved medieval royal palaces in Georgia; "Korchibashishvilebis Tsikhe" - castle of local noblemen Korchibashishvilis (16-18th centurty, AD); "Vakhvakhishvilebis Tsikhe" - castle of local noblemen Vakhvakhishvilis (18th centurty, AD). Telavi is the only city in Goergia, where 4 fortification monuments of different periods are remained. Due to this reason, architects, scholars and art historians consider Telavi as the most "medieval" cities in the country. Another curious sight Telavi, an 900-years-old sycamore (45 m high, 12.4 m around the trunk). Other notable landmarks around Telavi include the Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century, AD) - the second highest cathedral in Georgia after the newly built Sameba (the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi), the Ikalto Academy (8-12th centuries, AD) - location, where the famous Georgian writer Shota Rustaveli studied), the Church of St. George (dedicated to the patron saint of Georgia; it is said that in Georgia there are 365 churches in the name of St. George), ruins of the city and castle of Gremi (the former capital of Kakheti from the 15-17th centuries, AD), Shuamta - a complex made up of three churches of different periods - 6th, 7th and 8th centuries in a highland forest, Akhali Shuamta ("New Shuamta" in English) - the monastery close to Dzveli Shuamta ("Old Shuamta" in English), built in the 16th century, the stunning Tsinandali Gardens (the residential Palace of Noblemen Chavchavadzes family) and many others.
The lanscape of Telavi is scenic. The city is wrapped in picturesque landscapes from all sides. Telavi faces the Tsiv-Gombori Range to the south and south-west and borders on the Alazani Valley to the north and east. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, which runs to the north of the Alazani Valley, can be seen from most of Telavi.
Because of its beauty, historical monuments and and most importantly, the hospitality and kindness of its residents, the city is a fairly popular tourist destination in Georgia.
[edit] Trivia
Telavi was filmed in Georgi Danelia's popular Soviet-Era film "Mimino".
