Chokhatauri

Chokhatauri municipality is located in the Guria Region. The name comes from the ancestral name (Chakhatarashvili, Chkhatarashvili). The district has often witnessed bloodshed or carnage. During the Imereti uprising, from April to August 1820, Chokhatauri was one of the battlegrounds between the Russian Empire's armies and the rebellious Guruls. Nowadays in Chokhatauri are functioning: 4 museums, cultural center, art gallery, Chokhatauri public theater and 33 libraries. The leading field in the region is agriculture (fruit growing, cereal farming, viticulture, tea growing, livestock). The “Nabeghlavi” Mineral Water Bottling Plant takes an important place. Apart from mineral water, the main minerals of the municipality are: Mineral paints, pyrite, building stones, brick and ceramic earth. Bakhmaro and Nabeghlavi are popular mountain-climatic resorts. Bakhmaro, which is covered in the scent of spruce and fog, Jaji Lake, green or autumnal forests, cultural monuments and all this combined with the Guruls' signature humor, I think there is definitely a reason to visit Chokhatauri and Guria in general at least once.

Geography and Climate

Chokhatauri municipality is located in Guria region of western Georgia. Its administrative center is Daba Chokhatauri. Chokhatauri is bordered by Samtredia and Vani municipalities to the north, Vani to the east, Khulo and Adigeni to the south, Ozurgeti and Lanchkhuti to the west. The municipality consists of 2 Daba and 60 villages. The most part of the region is mountainous, 60% of the territory is covered by plateaus and mountains. The highest point in Chokhatauri is Peak Mepistskaro (2850 meters above sea level). The main river of the municipality is Supsa. The big part of the region is covered with forest. On the mountain slopes we find: Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Fir, Platanus, Hornbeam and Alder. Above 1500-1600 meters there are spruce and fir forests. Chokhatauri forests are rich in the diversity of fauna, here are: capreolus, chamois, wild boar, rabbit, wolf, bear, fox, badger and more.

There is a subtropical climate in Chokhatauri municipality. In lowlands, up to 500-600 meters, there is a subtropical sea climate and in the mountains there is a humid climate. The average annual temperature in lowland is 12°C, in high mountains 0-4°C. The snow does not melt in the mountains for about 5-6 months.

What to see

Chokhatauri is distinguished by its beauty, especially in spring, when it is completely covered with greenery and the scent of acacia flowers revolves around it. Anyone who has visited Bakhmaro and looked at the sea of pink clouds from the mountain of sunset, or who has met the first sunlight from the mountain of sunrise, will never forget this scenery. On the way to Bakhmaro you should definitely stay in Nabeghlavi and taste the mineral water, it's a kind of tradition for vacationers or travelers to Bakhmaro. Chokhatauri is not distinguished by its abundance of lakes and waterfalls, however, the Jaji lake between the alpine meadows and the blue mountains, with spectacular views, is one of the perfect places for lovers of wandering. Along with the beauty of nature, you will also be able to visit some of the oldest and most interesting cultural and historical sites in the region: Church-monasteries, ruins of fortresses, Eristavi Residence and other. Especially well-known is the XIII-IX century Erketi Archangel Church and Fathers Monastery of Desert semi-exposed in the rock. The museum of local lore is functioning in Chokhatauri. Archaeological material preserved in the museum covers the period from the VI-V centuries BC to the developed medieval period (working tools, tableware, various inventory, numismatic samples,military weapons, etc).

Nature

• Mountain of Sunset

• Mountain of Sunrise

• Jaji Lake

• Sanislia Mountain

Cultural monuments

• Erketi Archangel Church

• Fathers Monastery of Desert

• Eristavi Residency

• Tamari Fortress in Bukistsikhe

• Zoti Fortress

Resorts

• Bakhmaro

• Nabeghlavi