Kharagauli Municipality
Kharagauli in Imereti: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Ubisa and Imeretian Vardzia, Nunisi springs. History, tips and routes.
Kharagauli Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Kharagauli Municipality lies in the south-eastern part of the Imereti region and often describes itself as the geographical centre of Georgia. Its administrative centre, the town of Kharagauli, sits in a narrow, deep gorge on both banks of the Chkherimela River at about 280–400 m above sea level. The municipality covers about 914 km² of mountainous terrain between the Likhi and Meskheti ranges; its highest point, Mount Sametskhvario, reaches 2,624 m, and forests cover about two-thirds of the territory. The main river is the Dzirula. Kharagauli borders Chiatura and Sachkhere to the north, Sachkhere and Khashuri to the east, Borjomi to the south, and Baghdati and Zestafoni to the west.
People have lived in these valleys since the Stone Age: the Deviskhvreli cave is an Upper Palaeolithic site, and Bronze Age burial grounds at Bori were excavated in 1938. Because the gorge of the Dzirula links western and eastern Georgia, the area has repeatedly been the scene of historic events — the Battle of Chkheri took place here in 1774, and in 1804 the Elaznauri agreement, under which the Kingdom of Imereti came under the Russian Empire, was signed in the municipality.
The town of Kharagauli itself grew up in the 1870s as a station on the newly built Poti–Tbilisi railway, which still crosses the municipality through long tunnels. In the 19th century the area belonged to Kutaisi Governorate, and from 1932 to 1989 the district was named after Sergo Orjonikidze. Medieval heritage includes the Ubisa monastery, the monastery complex known as the Imeretian Vardzia (11th–13th centuries) and the ruins of fortresses guarding the gorge.
Kharagauli is above all a nature destination. Part of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park — established in 1995 and officially opened in 2001, one of the largest protected areas in Europe — lies within the municipality, with trails through old-growth forests and alpine meadows. The Nunisi resort is known for its warm sulphur mineral springs (about 27–28°C), and the village of Zvare is also known for mineral waters.
For travellers, Kharagauli is an ideal starting point for hiking in the national park from the Imereti side, combined with visits to Ubisa, village guesthouses and spa stays at Nunisi. Easy access by both rail and the main highway via the Rikoti Pass makes it a convenient stop between Tbilisi and western Georgia.
FAQ
1) Where is Kharagauli Municipality located?
In the south-eastern part of the Imereti region, often called the geographical centre of Georgia.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The town of Kharagauli, on the Chkherimela River.
3) How large is the municipality?
About 914 km², mostly mountainous and forested.
4) What is the highest point?
Mount Sametskhvario, 2,624 m.
5) When did Kharagauli appear?
It grew up as a railway station on the Poti–Tbilisi line in the 1870s.
6) What happened at Elaznauri in 1804?
An agreement was signed under which the Kingdom of Imereti came under the Russian Empire.
7) Is Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park accessible from here?
Yes, part of the park lies in the municipality; it was established in 1995 and opened in 2001.
8) What is Nunisi?
A resort with warm sulphur mineral springs of about 27–28°C.
9) Which monuments are worth visiting?
Ubisa monastery and the Vardzia monastery complex (11th–13th centuries).
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website and the Imereti regional administration portal.