Guria

Guria, one of the smallest regions in Georgia, is a treasure trove of natural beauty, blessed with a diverse landscape that captivates all who visit. The region’s coastal and mountainous resorts are remarkable for their charm and unique natural attributes.

Situated in the heart of Georgia, Guria’s capital is Ozurgeti. The name “Guria” first appeared in historical records in the 8th century. By the 14th century, Guria had become the domain of the noble Vardanidze-Dadiani family. In the 15th century, it was established as an independent principality. After joining the Russian Empire in the 19th century, Guria became part of the Kutaisi Governorate.

The entire region is characterized by a humid subtropical valley along the Supsa River, a portion of the Rioni lowlands, and a vast, sparsely populated mountainous area. Most of the notable structures are clustered between Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri.

Guria is a region that tourists often pass through, yet it lacks widely recognized landmarks. The Gurian churches and fortresses are relatively obscure, with no major historical events associated with them. In Georgia, Guria is primarily known for the resort of Bakhmaro and the mineral water “Nabeglavi.”

Among the monasteries in Guria, the Shemokmedi Monastery and those near Jumati and Chkhorotsku stand out. The few Gurian churches are constructed from black stone and are surrounded by lush palm and banana trees. Black is the “signature” color of Guria, evident in its black churches, black beaches, and traditional black folk costumes (which were more common in the past).

This region is home to two partially ruined fortresses: Tamari and Askana. There isn’t much to see there, as little remains of the structures, and the ruins are heavily overgrown with shrubbery. Tourists are also drawn to Guria because it encompasses part of the Kolkheti National Park and boasts 20 kilometers of coastline. The settlement of Ureki is particularly famous for its magnetic sand, attracting visitors seeking its therapeutic properties. Nearby, Shekvetili offers similar sands but with fewer people and less development. The stretch from the Supsa River to Lake Paleostomi is known as Grigoleti Beach, featuring a wide, albeit somewhat neglected, beach and a section of cottage-style hotel developments. However, the beaches here are not as well-maintained as those in Ureki. Overall, Gurian beaches tend to be more pleasant than their Adjara counterparts, though they lag behind in infrastructure.

In 2020, the Shekvetili Dendrological Park opened along the Gurian coast, showcasing century-old trees brought from across western Georgia.

Guria is recognized by experts as a leader in tea production. The history of Georgian tea cultivation began when Count Vorontsov ordered tea bushes to be imported from Crimea and planted in Ozurgeti. Subsequently, experiments spread to Chakvi and Kobuleti, which are also considered part of Guria. Scattered throughout the region are numerous small tea farms, so hidden in the mountains that they are nearly impossible to find without a guide. However, a well-known tea factory located in the center of Lanchkhuti is marked on all maps and is easily accessible. This factory produces a variety of excellent teas, including white and yellow teas.

There is even a burgeoning business dedicated to harvesting wild, naturally growing tea. Currently, Georgian tea cultivation is gradually being revived, with three high-quality factories in operation, one of which is in Ozurgeti. Among all Georgian teas, Gurian tea is regarded as the finest in terms of quality. For inquiries, you can visit the tea shop located at 15 Galaktion Tabidze Street in Tbilisi.