Lechkhumi

Lechkhumi is located in the northern part of western Georgia, present-day Tsageri municipality. It is distinguished by its ancient culture and beautiful nature. Lechkhumi is a very interesting and attractive place for travelers with forests, waterfalls, canyons, mineral waters, alpine meadows, lakes and a mystical mountain of Khvamli with a great history. Khvamli Mountain is an important place for the whole history of Georgia, which is visited by many people on the holiday of Khvamloba.

History

The traces of human life in Lechkhumi date back to the Paleolithic-Neolithic age. The territory is considered as one of the most powerful metallurgical sites of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. From ancient times the international caravan route has been passing through the middle of Lechkhumi, connecting Fazisi with the peoples of the North Caucasus. After the creation of a united feudal state, the Kingdom of Georgia, the Takveri Saeristavo was created, which included present-day Racha - Lechkhumi and the part of Kvemo Svaneti. Its center was Tsageri. After the period of David the Builder, until the collapse of the united Georgian kingdom, Takveri was sometimes an independent Saeristavo and sometimes it was subordinate to Svaneti. Although, Lechkhumi was the smallest political entity in western Georgia, there were plenty of fortresses and it was a great shelter during the war. According to historical sources, the treasure storage of Georgian kings were on the Khvamli Mountain. Since the second half of the XVII century Lechkhumi was seeking for independence and a position appeared- the title of head of Lechkhumi. In the XII-XIV century Takveri was replaced by Lechkhumi. The word Lechkhumi is first mentioned at the end of the XV century. Its trade and economic center was in Lailashi. After the creation of the Kingdom of Imereti (XV century), Lechkhumi entered in the kingdom as a Royal Domain. From the second half of the XVII century, the Lechkhumian nobles tried to create separate Satavados. In 1714, after the Lechkhumi's dirigeant Bejan I Dadiani became the Mtavari of Samegrelo, Lechkhumi became one of the parts of the Samegrelo Principality, and was ruled by Dadiani's selected commander. Lechkhumi played a major role in the economy and military affairs of Odishi. Nowadays, historical Lechkhumi, present-day Tsageri Municipality, is the part of the Racha - Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti region.

Geography and Climate

Lechkhumi is located in the northern part of western Georgia, in the sheltered zone of the Lechkhumi, Egrisi and Racha ridges to south of the Western Caucasus ridge. Today it is a municipality of Tsageri and is part of Racha - Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti region. Its administrative center is Tsageri. Lechkhumi is bordered by Lentekhi on the north, Ambrolauri on the east, Tskaltubo on the southeast and south, Khoni and Martvili on the southwest and west. The Askhi massif separates it from Samegrelo, and from Svaneti and Racha - Lechkhumi Ridge. Tsageri municipality is mainly an area of medium and low altitude ridges, caverns and deeply cut narrow valleys. Chestnut-hornbeam and rhododendron luteum underbrush are common here, at 800-1000 meters and above there are Chestnut, Oak, Hornbeam, Maple and Tilia. More above there are mainly beech forest, rhododendron ponticum underbrush and dark pinophyta Fir and Spruce. Above 1800 meters are subalpine and alpine meadows. The territory of the municipality belongs to the low and middle mountain forest landscapes zone of Kolkheti. The location of Khvamli and Askhi Mountains to the south and west provides a different, more comfortable microclimate than the rest of western Georgia. In the low zone, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, the average annual air temperature is + 11.4 ° C, the average January temperature is -0 ° C, and in July - + 22 ° C.

What to see

The territory of Lechkhumi preserves the history of millenia. Here we find pre-christian settlements, medieval castle-fortresses and temples. The nature of Lechkhumi hidden in the green reminds us of Tsalkoti with waterfalls, lakes, beautiful fields and wide views. Visitors are particularly impressed by the Sairme pillars and Khvamli Mountains of great historical importance, where, according to the myths, the Prometheus was chained at the order of Zeus, who was later rescued by Heracles.

Nature

• Khvamli Mountain
• Sairme Pillars
  
• Askhi Massif
• Kulbabi Lakes
• Ghvirishi Waterfall
• Village Lailashi
• Rachkha Waterfall
• Verdzistava Waterfall

Cultural Monuments

• Goni St. George Church
  
• Dekhviri Fortress
• Orbeli Fortress
• Muri Fortress
• Tskheta St. George Church
• Zubi Fortress
• Tabori Transfiguration Church
• Lailashi Dadiani complex and church
• St. Maximus the Confessor Church in Muri Village
• Basilica of the village of Gvesi

Resorts

• Lashichala
  
• Akhalchala