The heart of Georgia – Kutaisi

Greetings! Welcome to Kutaisi, a city with a rich historical tapestry located in the heart of Georgia, a
country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Kutaisi stands as one of the oldest cities
globally, boasting a legacy that spans thousands of years.

According to legend of Argonauts Kutaisi was the city where golden fleece was taken from. This legend
was written in 10th century, so Kutaisi is on of the oldest continuous inhabited cites in the world as I said.
Although Kutaisi was capital of Georgia, which have many nicknames an one of them is “THE CITY
BETWEEN A STONE AND A MOUNTAIN”.

Already you know that Kutaisi is 3500 years old, and this is the reason why there’re some stunning
architecture with beauty of nature.

Exploring its architectural wonders offers a captivating journey through time.

The Bagrati Cathedral, a marvel from the 11th

century, serves as a poignant reminder of
Georgia's ancient heritage. Bagrati Cathedral —
the Assumption Cathedral, built in 1003, during
the reign of Bagrat III (975-1014), in Kutaisi, on
Uchimerion Hill. Its circular design not only
reflects the craftsmanship of the past but also
sparks curiosity about Kutaisi's historical
narrative.

 Also we have Motsameta , which is

complex of monasteries.

Its name, whose meaning is the "Place of the

Martyrs", is related to the brothers of a noble
family of Argveti, David and Constantine,
who organized a rebellion against the
occupying Arabs in the 8th century.[2]

When the rebellion failed, they were captured and then they were promised forgiveness in exchange
for converting to Islam. None accepted the offer, and they were later tortured and killed, and their
bodies were thrown into the river. The water turned red and in memory of this event, the river was
called Ckalcitela, which means red water. According to the story, the brothers' remains were
captured by the lions and taken to the hill,[3] where the Gelati monastery is located. Later, the
Orthodox Church of Georgia recognized them as Saints, and in the 11th century, the king Bagrat IV
of Georgia founded a temple there.[2][3] Officials from the Bolshevik secret police in 1923 took the
remains of David and Constantine from the Gelati monastery to the museum in Kutaisi, but this
caused such a scandal that the relics were delivered quickly and are still in the monasteries today.[4]
According to legend, there is a secret passage between the Motsameta monasteries and the Gelati
monastery, used during the wars.

 Gelati is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi in the Imereti region of western Georgia.
One of the first monasteries in Georgia,[2] it
was founded in 1106 by King David IV of
Georgia as a monastic and educational
center.

The monastery is an exemplar of the Georgian

Golden Age and a gold aesthetic is employed in the
paintings and buildings.[3] It was built to celebrate
Orthodox Christian faith in Georgia.[4] Some murals found inside the Gelati Monastery church date
back to the 12th century.[5] The monastery was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994
because of its outstanding architecture and its importance as an educational and scientific center in
medieval Georgia.

History
Construction began on the Gelati Monastery in 1106, under the direction of King David IV
of Georgia, at which time Kutaisi was the capital of Georgia.[8] It was constructed during the
reign of the Byzantine Empire; in this period Christianity was the ruling religion throughout
the empire. The monastery's main church, known as Church of Virgin the Blessed, was
completed in 1130 (under the reign of David IV's successor, Demetrius I of Georgia), and was
dedicated to Virgin Mary. The Monastery also acts as the burial site for King David IV, near
which the Ancient Gates of Ganja, which were taken by King Demetrius I in 1138, can be
found. The smaller chapels within the monastery date to the 13th century.
In addition to its religious purpose, the monastery was also constructed to function as an
academy of science and education in Georgia: King David IV employed many Georgian
scientists, theologians, and philosophers, many of whom had previously been active at
various Orthodox monasteries abroad, such as the Mangana Monastery in Constantinople.[8]
[9] Among its notable scholars were Ioane Petritsi, who translated several classics of
philosophy but is best known for his commentaries on Proclus; and Arsen Ikaltoeli, known
for his Dogmatikon, or book of teachings, influenced by Aristotle. The Gelati Academy
employed scribes to compile manuscript copies of important works,[8] and people of the time
called it "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos".

Art
1. Triptychs - Triptychs were popular during the Byzantine Empire and important in
Georgian culture.[11] The triptychs represented another form of contribution to the
church. Triptychs were a form of iconography for the congregation.
One of the most valuable icons housed in the monastery was the Khakhuli triptych,
which was enshrined in the Gelati Monastery from the 12th century until being
stolen in 1859. Although returned in 1923, it was in a reduced condition.[12]
2. Mosaics - The interiors of the monastery hold mosaics in classic Byzantine style
illustrating aspects of Christian belief. The largest, a 12th-century masterpiece
depicting the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, dominates the apse of the main
church, and is an artwork of cultural importance in Georgia.[13] Above the altar is
situated a statue of the Virgin Mary, looking down at the baby Jesus she is holding.

Parliament building

On the modern front, Kutaisi's Parliament

building is a symbol of contemporary design
seamlessly integrated into the cityscape. The
dynamic interplay between the Bagrati
Cathedral and the Parliament building
illustrates Kutaisi's architectural evolution.
And don’t forget that in Kutaisi, we have a green apartment located on Queen Tamar's
Street, and the city continues to be listed among green cities with many green spaces. Its
landscape is predominantly natural, devoid of
skyscrapers and other urban structures.

The Colchis Fountain, located in the center of

Kutaisi, is currently one of the most beautiful
fountains in our country. Its creation began in
the late 20th century, specifically in 1975.

Behind this statement we have Meskhishvili Theatre.

The Lado Meskhishvili Professional State Drama Theatre gives Kutaisi’s central square,
already so rich in cultural traditions, its historical character. Built in the 1950s, this
unique
monument
was built
in a
location
that has
played host
to

performances since at least the 1860s.

The first documented performance in Kutaisi was a production of Georgian playwright

Giorgi Eristavi’s The Family Settlement performed by amateur actors on March 3rd, 1861.
In 1880, a professional troupe was formed in Kutaisi with famous Georgian actor and
director Kote Meskhi, as its leader. From 1894 until 1905, Georgian actor, director, and
public figure Lado Aleksi-Meskhishvili was the leader of the Kutaisi Theatre.

In 1928, a second, Kutaisi-Batumi State Theatre was founded under the leadership of the
great Georgian director Kote Marjanishvili, in Kutaisi.

The theatre took on its current name in 1940, being renamed after Lado Meskhishvili,
and in 1955, the new building - capable of holding 1,100 people - was opened. In 2008, a
smaller 100-seat theatre and a museum displaying the theatre’s history were added.

Kutaisi Meliton Balanchivadze Opera and Ballet Professional State Theater

The Kutaisi Meliton Balanchivadze Opera and Ballet Professional State Theatre, or just
the Kutaisi Opera Theatre, is a place with a fascinating history. Constructed at the end of
the 19th century, it has played host to countless performances across its troubled lifetime,
and is worth a visit for both patrons of the arts and lovers of architecture.

The Kutaisi Opera Theatre’s story begins in 1861, when Georgian public figures, Kirile
Lortkipanidze, Dimitri Bakradze, and Akaki Tsereteli began to organise theatrical
performances in the city. In 1880, a permanent theatre troupe was established under the
leadership of distinguished Georgian actor Kote Meshki, and took up residence in a
building constructed by Georgian patron of the arts Stephane Kharazishvili.

The original theatre burned down in 1946, and was reconstructed in the 1970s as a 453-
seat opera theater. The current incarnation features one wall - the one facing Rustaveli
Street - from the original structure, allowing it to live on and be appreciated by a new
generation of Georgian theatre enthusiasts.

The modern Kutaisi Opera Theater was ceremonially opened on December 27th, 1969
with Zakaria Paliashvili’s famous opera Abesalom and Eteri.

In 2010, the Kutaisi Opera Theater experienced another transformation when its interiors
were renewed, and its exteriors, columns, and a new entrance were built. Thirteen
Roman figures crafted by Kutaisi native sculptor Giorgi Kikvadze were also placed upon
the roof.
Today, the Kutaisi Opera Theater proudly bears the name of celebrated Georgian
composer, Meliton Balanchivadze.

Whether you visit to soak in the theatre’s beauty or you’re lucky enough to attend a
performance, you’ll be left moved by the enduring legacy of the Kutaisi Opera Theatre.

In my point of view In summary, Kutaisi, situated in Georgia, is not just a city; it's a
living testament to centuries of history and a vibrant hub where the past and present
coalesce in architectural splendor, because Kutaisi is city of “May and roses” and this
quote said a lot.

I believe that the days which you spend in Kutaisi always will be great memory, with
nostalgy and luck. After you get back in your town you will see the main difference
between these two town, To my mind there is no similar town like Kutaisi, which stands
on the banks of the Rioni river.

For now you need to see okros chardakhi and have a trip on white bridge.