Akhalgori Municipality
Akhalgori in the Ksani valley: seat of the Ksani Eristavis, Largvisi monastery, Armazi church of 864 — history of an occupied land.
Akhalgori Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Akhalgori Municipality is a de jure municipality of Georgia in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, covering about 1,011 km² of the Ksani River valley north of Mtskheta. Its centre is the town of Akhalgori, at about 790 m above sea level on the Ksani. The valley, historically known as the land of the Ksani Eristavis (dukes of Ksani), is rich in medieval churches and monasteries. Under the Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories, the municipality is part of the occupied Tskhinvali region and has not been under Georgian government control since August 2008.
Akhalgori is mentioned in the 18th century by Vakhushti Batonishvili and was a residence of the Ksani Eristavis. In the Soviet period it was called Leningori; the name Akhalgori was restored at the end of 1990. Unlike other parts of the region, Akhalgori remained under Georgian jurisdiction during and after the conflict of 1991–1992, and many ethnic Georgians lived here until 2008.
The Ksani valley holds a remarkable concentration of heritage. Largvisi Monastery, documented from the early 14th century and destroyed in 1400, was rebuilt in the 18th century by the Ksani dukes. Monuments of national significance include the Ksani church of Armazi (864), the 9th-century Kabeni Monastery, the Lomisa church (9th–10th centuries), the 8th-century church of the Mother of God in Tsirkoli and the 13th-century Khopa monastery.
On 17 August 2008, after the Russia–Georgia war, the area came under the control of Russian and de facto forces, and more than 5,000 ethnic Georgians — at least 70% of the population — left their homes. The Odzisi crossing between Akhalgori and the rest of Mtskheta-Mtianeti has been closed by the de facto authorities since September 2019. The international community, including the EU and the UN General Assembly, supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and the right of displaced persons to return.
Visiting information: crossings into Akhalgori are currently closed, and many governments advise against all travel to the region. This page presents the history and heritage of Akhalgori for reference; nearby Mtskheta, Ananuri and the lower Ksani valley can be visited freely.
FAQ
1) Where is Akhalgori Municipality located?
In the Ksani River valley north of Mtskheta, in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
2) What is the status of the territory?
Under Georgian law it is part of the occupied Tskhinvali region, outside Georgian government control since August 2008.
3) What is the centre?
The town of Akhalgori, on the Ksani at about 790 m.
4) What was Akhalgori called in the Soviet period?
Leningori; the name Akhalgori was restored at the end of 1990.
5) Who were the Ksani Eristavis?
The dukes of Ksani, whose residence was in Akhalgori.
6) What is Largvisi Monastery?
A monastery documented from the early 14th century and rebuilt in the 18th century by the Ksani dukes.
7) What is the oldest dated church?
The Ksani church of Armazi, dated 864.
8) What happened in August 2008?
On 17 August 2008 the area came under occupation, and more than 5,000 ethnic Georgians left.
9) Is the Odzisi crossing open?
No, it has been closed by the de facto authorities since September 2019.
10) What can be visited nearby?
Mtskheta, Ananuri and the lower Ksani valley.