Zugdidi

The city is the capital of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region which combines Samegrelo (Mingrelia) and Svaneti. The name “Zugdidi” means “big or great hill” in Laz and Mingrelian.
Historically Zugdidi was a capital of principality of Mingrelia (Odishi) until 1867, when the principality was abolished by the Russian Empire. In 1993 there was an administration of first President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia.

Places to visit:

	Dadiani Palaces History and Architectural Museum In 1839, David Dadiani founded the family museum. The museum is one of the oldest in the Caucasian region and currently houses more than 41,000 items, ranging from the second millennium BCE to the end of the 19th century CE. Among various items, you will also find Napoleon’s death mask dated 1833, a Napoleonic library of several hundred volumes, private letters, and Napoleonic silver and chinaware.
	Ganmukhuri and Anaklia (Black Sea Resorts) Ganmukhuri and Anaklia are two Black Sea resorts connected with each other by a 552 meter pedestrian bridge. The resorts attract tourists for their sandy beaches, boulevards, hotels, aqua parks and yacht clubs.
	Kolkheti National Park The National Park was created in order to protect and maintain Kolkheti wetland ecosystems of world importance. The Kolkheti National Park Administration offers boat tours on lake Paliastomi and river Pichori, as well as sport fishing, bird watching and eco-educational tours. Tours are carried out throughout the year.
	The swinging rock – “Kuakantsalia” The rock stands on the limestone massif in Tsalenjikha – 27 kilometers from Zugdidi. What makes this particular place so special is that a simple touch of a human hand is enough to make this giant rock shake and create knocking sounds.
	The Khobi Monastery The Khobi Monastery dates back to the 13th-14th centuries, it is located in the village of Nojikhevi, some 30 kilometers from Zugdidi. The church is decorated with beautiful frescos and wall ornaments. During the middle ages the Khobi Monastery served as a seat to the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia. This area is particularly attractive for tourist interested in archeology.
	Skuri The resort is well-known for its mineral water “Skuri”, which has medical properties. Within the beautiful Skuri valley, you will also find the “White Fortress” dating back to the 1st–3rd centuries.
	Complex of “Otsindale” The Otsindale complex is situated 640 meters above the sea level, overlooking the beautiful Kolkhetivalley. The complex combines a church, which dates back to the 11th century and a tower, which was constructed around the 8th century.
	Shurubumu Shurubumu is one of the beautiful wonders of the natural world. The area is covered with lush green moss and thousand-year old buxus trees. You will also find a cave within the premise, with numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
	Canyon of Intsra The cave is located within the basin of the river Instra; inside the cave you will find numerous stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. The water flowing out of the cave creates a 26 meter high beautiful waterfall.