Dadiani Palace

If by some extraordinary twist of fate you ever find yourself in Zugdidi, do not pass up the opportunity to visit the estate of the Mingrelian prince—more commonly known as the Dadiani Palace.

Designed by architect Edgar Rice for the descendants of the ancient Georgian noble house, the estate in Zugdidi was inspired by the motifs of the Vorontsov Palace in Alupka. With its grandiose vision, the estate was meant to reflect both heritage and elegance.

The first recorded mentions of the Dadiani family date back to the 8th century, during the reign of Queen Tamar. The principality of Mingrelia was bestowed in hereditary possession upon the family’s founder, Vardan Dadiani. In 1557, Prince Levan Dadiani ascended as heir to the principality and was recognized as an independent ruler under the title of Prince of Mingrelia.

In 1691, his descendant, Prince Levan Dadiani III, was compelled to abdicate the throne. The princely title and the family name were subsequently inherited by a different branch of the family—relatives from the Svanetian nobility, the Chikovani clan, who assumed both the Mingrelian princely title and the Dadiani surname.

The founder of the Russian branch of the family was Prince Giorgi Dadiani, who in 1699 entered the service of Tsar Peter Alexeyevich and relocated to Russia. Later, in 1866, the Principality of Mingrelia was abolished. Prince Nikolai Dadiani, its ruler at the time, was granted the title of Serene Prince of Mingrelia and received one million rubles from the Russian government in compensation for relinquishing his sovereign rights to the emperor. He retained personal ownership of his estates in Mingrelia, including the estate in Zugdidi. Two years later, he formally renounced all claims to the throne.

The palace that stands today was built for Nikolai’s mother, Princess Ekaterina Dadiani, between 1873 and 1875. Ekaterina was born into a prominent family—her father was Prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846), a general, celebrated Georgian poet, and public figure, who had been the godson of Empress Catherine II. Her mother, Princess Salome Ivanovna Orbeliani, was a great-granddaughter of King Heraclius II of Georgia. Ekaterina’s elder sister, Nina Alexandrovna (1812–1857), was the wife of the famed Russian diplomat and playwright Alexander Sergeyevich Griboedov.

Ekaterina Alexandrovna was widowed early—after fifteen years of marriage to Prince David Levanovich Dadiani, then ruler of Mingrelia. She was left alone with three children. Her son Nikolai, being only seven years old at the time, was too young to govern, and thus his mother, Princess Ekaterina, was recognized as regent of Mingrelia.

However, following the palace’s completion, the princess spent little time there. She was invited to relocate to St. Petersburg “for the upbringing” of her children. In the Russian capital, her salon became a vibrant hub for Georgian and Russian intellectuals. A decade later, she was allowed to move to Paris. Toward the end of her life, she returned to Mingrelia, where she lived privately.

The palace itself stands at the far end of a vast park adorned with blooming flowerbeds, trimmed lawns, topiary trees, fountains, and leafy avenues.

An exquisite example of what might be termed “Georgian eclecticism,” the palace is a lavish and original structure that blends traditional national elements—such as the building’s layout and balconies—with an exotic, quasi-Moorish flair. This includes lancet windows, stylized arches, and a unique roof design, all contributing to its architectural originality.

Today, the Dadiani Palace houses the Zugdidi State Historical and Ethnographic Museum, home to an exceptional collection of artworks and historical artifacts that the Dadiani princes began assembling centuries ago. In addition to meticulously recreated interiors furnished with authentic items once belonging to the noble family, the museum boasts several noteworthy collections.

The museum’s treasure trove contains over 40,000 exhibits—many of them rare or unique specimens of national culture. Interestingly, the ancient Georgian family had close ties to the French Emperor Napoleon. One of Prince David’s daughters married Napoleon’s nephew, and as a result, the museum preserves a number of items once belonging to the imperial French family.

Among the museum’s most prized possessions are the Shroud of the Virgin Mary—according to legend, gifted to the Mingrelian princes to protect them from Turkish incursions—and Napoleon’s death mask (of which only two other copies exist, one on Elba Island and another in a private collection). The sacred relic, however, is displayed only on major religious holidays. Meanwhile, the icon of Queen Tamar is always available for public viewing.

Other displays in the museum include rare books from the Dadiani and Napoleonic family libraries, antique weaponry, exquisite porcelain, elegant furniture, paintings, and manuscripts dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

To the right of the palace, within the estate grounds, stands the palace church—the oldest structure in the entire museum complex. Built in the 16th century, the church’s architectural design strictly adheres to the ancient “Georgian style” of temple construction.

Facing the main façade of the palace, to the right lies the Dadiani Botanical Garden—a charming, verdant park that spans more than 26 hectares. Established in 1840, the garden was developed with the help of German horticulturists, who were invited specially for the task. Rare plants from across the globe were planted here by special commission, contributing to the garden’s charm along with a private island, greenhouses, fountains, and unusual flowerbeds.

Sadly, the garden’s original form was lost. Just fifteen years later, it was destroyed by the troops of Omar Pasha. Fortunately, it was later restored by Italian designers. During the Soviet era, the park was repeatedly subjected to looting, and only a portion of its unique flora was saved from destruction. Today, the park is officially a branch of the Tbilisi Botanical Garden.

Visitors can admire trees that are more than 200 years old, as well as more contemporary species. The garden is home to more than 80 plant species, some of which are represented by only a single remaining specimen.