Eredvi Municipality
Eredvi in the Patara Liakhvi valley: the St George basilica of 906, Bieti monastery and Georgian villages occupied in 2008 — history.
Eredvi Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Eredvi Municipality is a temporary administrative unit of Georgia in the Shida Kartli region, in the valley of the Patara (Little) Liakhvi River north-east of Tskhinvali, with its centre in the village of Eredvi. It included the communities of Artsevi, Beloti, Eredvi, Vanati and Ksuisi. Under the Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories, the area is part of the occupied Tskhinvali region; its municipal administration works from Tbilisi.
Historically the area belonged to the Gori district of the Tiflis Governorate until 1917; in the Soviet period it was part of the Tskhinvali district of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region, and in 1991–1993 it was attached to Gori district. The temporary Eredvi Municipality was created in the mid-2000s for the villages under Georgian control.
The most important monument is the St George basilica of Eredvi, whose foundation was laid in 906, according to its inscription; it is a monument of national significance of Georgia. Other national monuments in the municipality include Bieti Monastery and the church of Inauri, both from the Middle Ages, and the area also has the churches of Geri and Beruli and the castle of Beloti.
In August 2008 the whole territory of the municipality that had been under Georgian control was occupied, and all of its population — more than 8,000 people according to the 2002 census — was displaced. The village of Eredvi itself was demolished in 2017, while the basilica was reported to still stand. 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: the area is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory, and many governments advise against all travel to the Tskhinvali region. This page presents the history and heritage of Eredvi for reference; the nearby Gori Municipality can be visited freely.
FAQ
1) Where is Eredvi Municipality located?
In Shida Kartli, in the Patara Liakhvi valley north-east of Tskhinvali.
2) What is the status of the territory?
Under Georgian law it is part of the occupied Tskhinvali region; its administration works from Tbilisi.
3) What is the centre?
The village of Eredvi.
4) What is the Eredvi basilica?
A church of St George whose foundation was laid in 906, a monument of national significance.
5) Which other monuments are there?
Bieti Monastery, the church of Inauri, the churches of Geri and Beruli and Beloti castle.
6) Which communities did the municipality include?
Artsevi, Beloti, Eredvi, Vanati and Ksuisi.
7) What happened in 2008?
In August 2008 the territory was occupied and its entire population was displaced.
8) What happened to Eredvi village?
The village was demolished in 2017; the basilica was reported to still stand.
9) Can Eredvi be visited?
It is currently inaccessible from Georgian-controlled territory.
10) What can be visited nearby?
Gori Municipality, including Gori, Uplistsikhe and Ateni.