Nestled in the foothills of the Tsiv-Gombori Range, Telavi is a lively city in the Georgian province of Kakheti. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and the town of Telavi served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti between the 10th and 12th centuries. Today, Telavi is renowned for its beautifully preserved historical buildings and natural monuments, as well as its surrounding wineries.
Things to do in Telavi
In the heart of Telavi is Batonis Tsikhe, a 17th-century fortress that was built atop the remains of a Persian-style palace. Admire the beautifully carved Kakhetian balcony above its main gate and take note of the mirror mosaics and miniature paintings found throughout the complex. The castle houses the Telavi State History and Ethnography Museum where locally discovered archaeological findings, traditional costumes and artworks are on display.
Believed to be more than 900 years old is the Giant Plane Tree, which has a circumference of 12 metres. It stands opposite a monument dedicated to the Bagrationi dynasty monarch King Erekle II and a family of steampunk sculptural snails. Nearby is the Rostomaant Marani Cellar where you can sample local wines.
A short drive from Telavi is the Alaverdi Monastery, which was founded in the 6th century by an Assyrian monk. It encompasses a cellar dating back to the 10th century, with the monks still making their own wine today. The monastery is famously home to one of the largest church buildings in Georgia, with the cathedral’s dome rising to 50 metres in height.
Getting around Telavi
Telavi is just under two hours’ drive from Tbilisi and 1.5 hours from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Telavi and travel throughout the city.