Anecdote from the region Shida Kartli
Zagraniczny turysta przejeżdżał raz przez region Shida Kartli niedaleko granicy z Osetią w nadziei na znalezienie miejsca agroturystycznego. Jadąc drogą został zatrzymany przez żandarmerię wojskową, która zwróciła się do niego po rosyjsku następującymi słowami: Jechał Pan za szybko, będzie musiał Pan napisać wyjaśnienie? Jakie wyjaśnienie – spytał turysta?- I to w języku gruzińskim!- Ale ja przecież nie znam gruzińskiego! To napiszcie tak, jak potraficie! Mężczyzna wręczając policjantowi swoje prawo jazdy włożył do środka banknot 100$. Policjant zobaczywszy to uśmiechnął się: Powiedzieliście, że nie znacie języka gruzińskiego? A przecież połowę wyjaśnienia już napisaliście.
Region Shida Kartli is located across both sides of the Mtkvari valley and lies at the foothills of Greater Caucasus and the forested Trialeti Range offering visitors a diverse range of cultural, educational and archeological tours. The dry, warm climate in the Sgida Kartli region is very distinct from the rest of Western Georgia, however the mountain
peaks are covered with all year around.
Shida Kartli region is well-known by a diverse range of cultural sights including the Uplistsikhe cave town, a variety of archeological sites and many churches, monasteries, fortresses and Cathedral. The Uplistsikhe town is one of the most significant tourist attractions dating back to the 1st millennium BC.
Another well-known town is Gori the capital of Shida Kartli region. The original fortress, constructed on a hilltop was named Gori (meaning the hill in Georgian) and was mentioned in Georgian annals as early as the 7th century. Because of its geographical location, enemies frequently targeted the fortress, controlling the whole Shida Kartli region. The stronghold has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The fortress was built in 1774 during the reign of Erekle II, but it was significantly damaged an earthquake in 1920. Now days is in Gori the Stalin Museum with collections of paintings, photos, films and other historical works.
The main attractions on the region are:
- churches and monasteries (Kintvisi Monastery, Ateni Sioni Church...),
- cave town Uplistsihkhe,
- Stalin State Museum in Gori,
- archeological sites (Dvani, Khizaant Gora),
- fruit fields.
