# Gurjaani Municipality - URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/gurjaani-municipality - Type: municipality - Region: Kakheti - Official website: https://gurjaani.gov.ge ## History Gurjaani Municipality lies in the centre of **Kakheti**, eastern Georgia, with the town of **Gurjaani** as its administrative centre, at about 415 m above sea level. The municipality covers about 846 km² and has three distinct landscape zones: the fertile **Alazani plain** in the east, the slopes of the **Gombori Range** in the middle, and the dry steppe of the **Iori Plateau** in the south-west. The **Alazani River** and its tributaries — the Chermiskhevi, Shromiskhevi and others — drain the area. Gurjaani borders Telavi, Kvareli, Lagodekhi, Sighnaghi and Sagarejo municipalities. The area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Gurjaani itself is first documented in the early 16th century, in a charter of King **Alexander I of Kakheti**. Like much of Kakheti, it suffered from raids from Dagestan in the 1770s, when the village was nearly depopulated. Its modern growth came with the railway, opened here in **1915**; Gurjaani became a district centre in 1930 and received town status in **1934**. The most remarkable monument of the town is **Gurjaani Kvelatsminda** (All Saints Church), an early medieval church often described as the only two-domed church in Georgia. The municipality also preserves the three-nave basilica of **Vazisubani** and the **Vejini** fortress area with medieval churches, along with many village churches and wine cellars. Gurjaani is at the core of Georgia’s largest wine-making region: viticulture is the leading industry, and vineyards occupy a large share of farmland. The municipality is home to several protected wine appellations — **Mukuzani**, **Gurjaani**, **Akhasheni**, **Kotekhi** and **Vazisubani** — and hosts an annual **Gurjaani Wine Festival**. For travellers, Gurjaani is ideal for wine tourism: family marani and wineries along the Alazani Valley offer tastings, while the Kvelatsminda church and village heritage add a cultural layer. Its central location makes it easy to combine with Telavi, Sighnaghi and Kvareli on a Kakheti road trip. ## FAQ **1) Where is Gurjaani Municipality located?** In the centre of the Kakheti region, eastern Georgia. **2) What is the administrative centre?** The town of Gurjaani, at about 415 m above sea level. **3) What landscapes does it have?** The Alazani plain, the Gombori Range slopes and the Iori Plateau steppe. **4) When is Gurjaani first mentioned?** In the early 16th century, in a charter of King Alexander I of Kakheti. **5) When did Gurjaani become a town?** In 1934. **6) What is Gurjaani Kvelatsminda?** An early medieval church, often described as the only two-domed church in Georgia. **7) Which wine appellations are in Gurjaani Municipality?** Mukuzani, Gurjaani, Akhasheni, Kotekhi and Vazisubani. **8) Is there a wine festival?** Yes, the annual Gurjaani Wine Festival. **9) Which rivers flow through it?** The Alazani and its tributaries, including the Chermiskhevi and Shromiskhevi. **10) Where can I find official municipal information?** On the municipality’s official website. ## Sources - [Gurjaani Municipality — official website](https://gurjaani.gov.ge) - [Gurjaani Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurjaani_Municipality) - [Gurjaani (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurjaani) - [List of Georgian wine appellations (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Georgian_wine_appellations) - [Kakheti (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti) ## Settlements - [Akhasheni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/akhasheni): Discover Akhasheni, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Arashenda](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/arashenda): Discover Arashenda, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Bakurtsikhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/bakurtsikhe): Discover Bakurtsikhe, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Chalaubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/chalaubani): Discover Chalaubani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Chandari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/chandari): Discover Chandari, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Cheremi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/cheremi): Discover Cheremi, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Chumlaqi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/chumlaqi): Discover Chumlaqi, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Darcheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/darcheti): Discover Darcheti, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Dzirkoki](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/dzirkoki): Discover Dzirkoki, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Jimiti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/jimiti): Discover Jimiti, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kachreti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kachreti): Discover Kachreti, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kakhipari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kakhipari): Discover Kakhipari, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kalauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kalauri): Discover Kalauri, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kardenakhi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kardenakhi): Discover Kardenakhi, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kodalo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kodalo): Discover Kodalo, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kolagi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/kolagi): Discover Kolagi, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Melaani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/melaani): Discover Melaani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Mukuzani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/mukuzani): Discover Mukuzani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Naniani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/naniani): Discover Naniani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pkhoveli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/pkhoveli): Discover Pkhoveli, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Qitaani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/qitaani): Discover Qitaani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Shashiani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/shashiani): Discover Shashiani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Vachnadziani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/vachnadziani): Discover Vachnadziani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Vazisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/vazisubani): Discover Vazisubani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Vejini](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/vejini): Discover Vejini, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Velistsikhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/velistsikhe): Discover Velistsikhe, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zegaani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/zegaani): Discover Zegaani, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zemo Kachreti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/zemo-kachreti): Discover Zemo Kachreti, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ziari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/gurjaani-municipality/ziari): Discover Ziari, a village in Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. ## This page in other languages - [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/gurjaanis-municipaliteti) - [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/gurdzhaanskii-municipalitet)