History of Kutaisi

Kutaisi is one of Georgia’s most historically significant cities. With roots stretching back over 2,500 years, the city was once known by many names — Kitea, Kutasisi, Kutaya — and is even mentioned in the ancient Greek legend of the Argonauts.

According to archaeologists, Kutaisi was founded around the 6th century BCE as a settlement of the ancient Colchians — the ancestors of modern Georgians. Ancient historians described Kutaisi as the most prosperous city of the Kingdom of Colchis, famed for its fortified walls, fertile vineyards, and lush gardens. Legend holds that this was the very destination of Jason and the Argonauts, who journeyed in search of the Golden Fleece.

To commemorate this mythic past, the city center now hosts one of the most beautiful fountains in Georgia, a striking tribute to the legend of the Argonauts. Nearby stands another relic of the classical era — the ruins of a fortress atop Mount Ukimerioni, a stone’s throw from the celebrated Bagrati Cathedral.

During its golden age, Kutaisi served as the capital of the Colchian kingdom. It endured waves of invasion — from Cimmerians and Scythians to Roman legions — before eventually becoming part of the Byzantine Empire.

In the medieval period, the Colchian lowlands saw the rise of the Kingdom of Egrisi. Kutaisi suffered during the Arab invasions, and by the 8th century, it had become a part of the Kingdom of Abkhazia. Soon after, Kutaisi was chosen as the kingdom’s capital, and in its very heart, King Bagrat III — the first monarch of a unified Georgia — began the construction of a magnificent cathedral.

The Bagrati Cathedral, built at the dawn of the 11th century, was envisioned as the spiritual heart of a united Georgian kingdom. This landmark held a vital role in medieval Georgian culture — it was here that kings were crowned, national decisions made, and faith deeply rooted.

In modern Georgian history, the cathedral has drawn international attention for more sobering reasons. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a monument at risk, after controversial reconstruction works damaged its architectural integrity. Today, the cathedral, still grand and majestic, is visible from nearly every vantage point in the Old Town.

In the early 12th century, another monumental religious complex began to rise on the outskirts of the city — the Gelati Monastery, founded by King David the Builder. This masterpiece of medieval architecture included a grand cathedral, the renowned Gelati Academy, and the royal burial place of King David himself. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gelati served as a vital center of learning and spirituality. For 300 years, Kutaisi remained the capital of the Georgian kingdom, and later, the capital of the independent Kingdom of Imereti.

In the 17th century, Turkish forces took control of the Kutaisi fortress, but in time, Russian troops entered the region under the Treaty of Georgievsk. By 1810, Kutaisi and all of Imereti had become part of the Russian Empire, forming the Imeretian Province. The city evolved into a provincial administrative center.

In the era of modern Georgia, the historical quarters of Old Kutaisi have been thoughtfully restored. The elegant Colchis Fountain now graces the city center, and a new wave of cultural revitalization has brought with it museums, theaters, and renewed energy.

Since 1994, the Gelati Monastery has held its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a recognition of its timeless significance.

In 2012, Kutaisi entered a new chapter of national prominence with the construction of Georgia’s Parliament and Government buildings. The city was granted the status of Georgia’s second capital. Today, Kutaisi is the administrative center of the Imereti region and the third-largest city in the country, following Tbilisi and Batumi.