Khoni

Khoni is a city in western Georgia, the administrative center of the municipality of Khoni. It is located in the Imereti Region, on the bank of the Tskhenistskali river, at an altitude of 114 meters above sea level.

History

The territory of Khoni municipality is part of the historical kingdom of Colchis. The origin and development of the Daba Khoni is related to the trade-caravan routes passing through the area. The abutment of “Bumbua Bridge” on the Tskhenistkali river is preserved to the present day. Here, in 65 BC the Roman commander Pompey passed through and built a lifting bridge.

The remains of ancient smeltings are found in Kveda Kinchkha. There is also found a gold money of ancient times, the stater of king Ake (BC. SEC. III century), in Khoni there are 1270 pieces of "Colchian white" coins, Byzantine or Turkish coins. Late Bronze Age hill settlements- "Gorikebi" - are found in Khoni, Little Jikhaishi, Kutiri, Ghvedi. The population still finds various items of bronze fighting, agricultural, cult-ritual purposes and copper ingots.

In the first centuries of Christianity the churches of the first martyr were built in: Khoni, Gelaveri, Kveda Kinchkha and Khidi. In the Middle Ages, the territory of the municipality was the property of the King. During the Russian conquest of the kingdom of Imereti and Russian rule, the territory of the municipality was part of Vake Mazra and the Daba Khoni- center of Mazra. Since 1846, this territory merged with Kutaisi Governorate.

Daba Khoni was especially developed in the XIX century. Khoni was a densely populated area in the 20-30's. In the 70s it was the most important trade and industrial center in Imereti after Kutaisi. In the 60s, Gordi was visited by Russian Emperor Alexander the second. He gifted the village an iron bridge. The bridge was functioning until 1985. In 1892, on the initiative of Niko Nikoladze and others, an irrigation channel was taken from the river Tskhenistskali to Khoni-Jikhaishi, through which 12 thousand desiatina land area was irrigated.

The history of Khoni was studied by: Nikopore Tolochanov, Vakhushti Batonishvili, Johann Anton Güldenstädt, Jacques Francis Gamba, Platon Ioseliani, Mari Brose, Dimitri Bakradze, Tedo Jhordania, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Shalva Amiranashvili.

Sightseeings

Natural Monuments

From the natural monuments on the territory of the municipality, it is worth mentioning Okatse Canyon in the vicinity of the village Zeda Gordi. The length of the canyon is two kilometers. The width in some places varies from 3 to 20 meters, and the depth ranges from 20 to 100 meters. There are several waterfalls and lakes on the canyon, including Okatse ( Kinchkha ) waterfall. The length of one of the lakes "Oskhapo" is 60 meters, as well as Lomina Lake and waterfalls. There are several natural stone bridges on the Okatse River. The canyon has caverns from which karst water flows.

There are several caverns on the territory of the municipality: Kvabikari Cavern in the village of Ghvedi, Chirkari Cavern in the village of Matkhoji, Gordi Cavern in the village of Zeda Gordi, “Tsmindaliani Cave”, “Kldeida Cavern” and “Ghvalbajani Cave” in the village of Kveda Kinchkha, also caves on the Turchu Mountain. Karst Caves are also on the Askhi Massif, in the Tobi River Basin.

Historical Monuments

The ancient historical monument which preserved on the territory of Khoni Municipality is BC 65 years old “Bumbua” or Pompey Bridge in the village of Khidi. There are two Early Feudal Age fortresses in the village of Matkhoji. Khoni Church is notable- VIII-XI century St. George church in Khoni.

The medieval settlement of Kibula is found in the village of Kveda Kinchkha. Here are the churches of Saviour and St. George, Tareshi Church and burial vault. XVII century Gvashtibi Fortress and the church in Gvashtibi; Ghvedi Fortress in the village of Ghvedi. In the territory of the village of Kveda Gordi are the XVIII century Rekhi and Veli Fortresses. In the same village there are monuments of the XIX century on the estates belonging to Dadiani: Forest-Park, Kari Church, historical sources.

On the territory of the municipality historical monuments are also preserved in the villages:

• Bangveti-X-XI centuries church
• Udzlouri- 1319 Church of Saviour
• Akhalsheni- medieval Mukhurisi Fortress
• Sukhcha- medieval Church of the Mother of God
• Nogha- medieval “Ukimerioni” Fortress and Church
• Khidi- late medieval former church of Obuji
• Patara (little) Jikhaishi- 1790 and 1897 St. George and Saviour Churches
• Gelaveri- XVIII Century Marine Church
• Matkhoji- 1864 and 1872 St. Basili and St. Nino Churches
• Kutiri- St. George church, 1872
• Khoni- pedagogical seminar, 1881
• Satsulukidzeo-XIX century former church of Kvirike and Ivlita
• Dzedzileti-Archangel Church