Recently, a destination such as Georgia has become increasingly popular among travelers. Indeed, the country of Sakartvelo beckons with its hospitable hospitality, sincere toasts, incendiary lezginka, the beauty of wild mountains and beautifully preserved sights. People come here to rest their souls and gain the magical power that the benevolent Georgians and mountains of the Caucasus give.
Some facts
One of the cities revered by travelers is Zugdidi (Georgia). This is the administrative center of the Zugdidi region, as well as Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti and the Zugdidi-Tsaish diocese, located in the western part of the country. Translated from Georgian, “zugdidi” means “big hill”.
The population of the city during the Soviet Union was approximately 110 thousand people. But with the collapse of the USSR and the closure of many enterprises on the territory of Zugdidi, the population of the city decreased to 75 thousand people. It mainly speaks the Zugdidi dialect of the Mingrelian language, which is considered a classic and a reference.
Location
Zugdidi (Georgia) is located at an altitude of 100 meters above sea level. From the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi - Zugdidi is approximately 300 kilometers away. And from the nearest settlement on the Black Sea it is separated by 30 kilometers. Therefore, many travelers who plan to relax on the seashore will definitely call in Zugdidi.
How to get there
There are several ways to travel around a country like Georgia. The city of Zugdidi is located in the Colchis Lowland, and can be reached by plane, train, bus or car.
If you choose the airway, then in this case the passengers are served by the crew of a comfortable aircraft. Ticket price is 150 GEL (approximately 3.5 thousand rubles) round trip, travel time - 1 hour. Since the weather is often changeable in the mountains, the flight may be unexpectedly canceled.
The aircraft is a small Canadian-made aircraft that can accommodate 20 people on board. Departs from Tbilisi, from the private airport of Natakhtari, which is located near Mtskheta, and stays in Mestia. From Mestia to Zugdidi can be reached by taxi or minibus.
In Zugdidi (Georgia), the railway station is the most western in the country. The building, built during the Soviet era, has been perfectly preserved to this day, although it needs major repairs.
Now the city station is an intermediate station for those traveling to Svaneti - this is a mountainous and picturesque area, which Georgia is especially proud of. The city of Zugdidi boasts a high-speed train that delivers passengers to and from Tbilisi. Travel time is 6 hours.
The cost of a ticket for the Zugdidi - Tbilisi train for a reserved seat is 8.5 GEL (202 rubles), if you take a ticket in a compartment, the ticket price will be 18 GEL (430 rubles). And also there are tickets in the SV compartment - 26 lari (620 rubles) and for seats 1 and 2 classes - their cost will be 24 lari (570 rubles) and 14 lari (333 rubles), respectively.
The most popular way for locals to get to Tbilisi, and from there to any other point in Georgia is to use the intercity bus. A bus ticket costs 13 GEL (310 rubles). Also from Zugdidi (Georgia) you can get to Poti, Rustavi and Chkhorotsk. In addition, you can use the services of a private taxi, the cost of which is negotiable.
sights
The city of Zugdidi (Georgia) has very modest sights. Namely, local residents can only boast of the graceful ancestral palace of the Megrelian princes Dadiani. The princes of Dadiani have an ancient aristocratic family tree; they were related to Napoleon Bonaparte himself. More precisely, one of the Georgian princesses was married to Napoleon's nephew.
Due to such a well-known relationship, several things of Napoleon, including his posthumous mask, were inherited by the princes. Also, the princes for a long time were the guardians of the shroud of the Virgin Mary, which can now be seen only on large church holidays.
In addition, their garden brought great popularity to the palace of the princes Dadiani. To create it in the 19th century, the then ruler of Megrelia, Princess Dadiani invited famous European gardeners who brought rare varieties of flora with them.
Today this place is known as the Zugdidi Botanical Garden, whose area is 26.4 hectares. In the modern Zugdidi Garden there are trees that are more than 200 years old, and they are kind of the only specimens on the Eurasian continent.
Where to stay
Tourists in this city are most often transit - they follow in the mountainous region of Svaneti. Although there are people who want to get acquainted with the Georgian identity, to learn more closely the traditions of the people. Such tourists enjoy staying in Zugdidi.
Renting a house in Zugdidi (Georgia) is easy. As well as finding a guesthouse. A room in the latter will cost an average of 50 GEL (almost 1200 rubles), but it is advisable to reserve a room in advance. Here you can also find a house for several days, which will amaze you with its carved wooden decorations, rich decoration and the goodwill of the owners.
City walks
The city center is two squares that are interconnected by a boulevard. The length of Zugdidi Boulevard is 511 meters; large trees grow in its center, which in the heat give a wonderful shadow and coolness. Along the entire boulevard you can watch local restaurants and cafes, as well as the Odishi Hotel, Atrium Cinema, City Hall and Post Office.
In the southern part of the boulevard is Freedom Square, on which is the building of the Samegrelo administration and several banks. Not far from the square is the Zugdit Cathedral. In addition, from here there is a road to the south, smoothly passing into the highway to Kutaisi and Tbilisi.
The northern part of the boulevard rests on the central square. Teatralnaya Street departs from it, on which stands the local Dadiani Drama Theater. On the other side of the square is the city stadium, past which the alley leads to the Dadiani Palace.
The modern history of the city
Compared with other CIS countries, modern Georgia has an interesting history of formation. G. Zugdidi also does not remain. You can find a lot of interesting information about him. He survived the bloody events.
The modern history of Zugdidi begins in 1921, when the Kuban Red Army conquered it during the Civil War. After the collapse of the Union, the city became a kind of headquarters for Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who then headed the government in exile. After the Georgian attack on South Ossetia, the settlement was immediately captured by Russian troops and subsequently soon liberated by them.
Residents of Zugdidi (Georgia) do not like to recall the past, and it is better not to talk about recent events with them. But their warm hospitality and cordiality will remain for life in the heart of each guest.