Adigeni Municipality
Adigeni in Samtskhe: Zarzma and Chule monasteries, Abastumani resort and its astrophysical observatory, Kvabliani valley. History.
Adigeni Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Adigeni Municipality lies in the west of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, on the southern slopes of the Meskheti Range, with the townlet of Adigeni as its administrative centre, at about 1,240 m above sea level on the Kvabliani River, some 32 km west of Akhaltsikhe. The municipality covers about 800 km² of forested mountain valleys and includes two townlets — Adigeni and the resort of Abastumani — and 55 villages. It borders Akhaltsikhe to the east, and across the Meskheti Range it meets the municipalities of Imereti.
The area belongs to historic Samtskhe (Meskheti), whose rulers, the Jaqeli, endowed its monasteries. The most famous is Zarzma Monastery in the Kvabliani valley, about 30 km west of Akhaltsikhe, founded by St Serapion of Zarzma; its main church was built in the early 14th century under the patronage of Beka I Jaqeli, and its bell tower was later converted into a chapel. Near Adigeni, the Chule (Chulevi) Monastery preserves murals painted in 1381 by the artist Arsen; abandoned in 1595, it was returned to the Church in 1999.
In the 20th century the area’s history was marked by the deportation of the Meskhetian population in 1944, when much of the municipality was depopulated. Adigeni became a townlet in 1961.
The resort of Abastumani, at about 1,340 m in the forested Otskhe valley, developed from the 1850s and flourished under Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, who lived here from 1871 to 1899 for the mountain climate. In 1932 the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory, founded by Evgeni Kharadze, was established on Mount Kanobili above the town — still an important scientific centre today.
For travellers, Adigeni offers quiet mountain landscapes and outstanding heritage: visit Zarzma and Chule, take a guided night tour at the Abastumani observatory, and walk in the pine forests around Abastumani. The municipality is easily reached from Akhaltsikhe.
FAQ
1) Where is Adigeni Municipality located?
In the west of Samtskhe-Javakheti, on the southern slopes of the Meskheti Range.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The townlet of Adigeni, on the Kvabliani River, about 32 km west of Akhaltsikhe.
3) What is Zarzma Monastery?
A monastery founded by St Serapion of Zarzma; its main church dates to the early 14th century.
4) What is Chule Monastery?
A monastery near Adigeni with murals painted by Arsen in 1381.
5) What is Abastumani?
A mountain resort in the Otskhe valley, at about 1,340 m, in Adigeni Municipality.
6) When was the Abastumani observatory founded?
In 1932, by Evgeni Kharadze, on Mount Kanobili.
7) Who lived in Abastumani in the 19th century?
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, from 1871 to 1899.
8) When did Adigeni become a townlet?
In 1961.
9) How large is the municipality?
About 800 km².
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.