Lagodekhi Municipality
Lagodekhi in Kakheti: Georgia’s oldest nature reserve, Black Rock Lake, Ninoskhevi waterfall and Machi fortress. History and routes.
Lagodekhi Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Lagodekhi Municipality is the easternmost municipality of Kakheti, at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, with the town of Lagodekhi as its administrative centre, at about 450 m above sea level. The municipality covers about 890 km², from the Alazani plain to the forested slopes and alpine zone of the main Caucasus ridge. The Alazani is the main river, fed by mountain streams such as the Kabali, Matsimistskali and Lagodekhistskali. The climate is moderately humid, with high rainfall in the mountains. Lagodekhi borders Kvareli to the west, Gurjaani and Sighnaghi to the south, Dagestan (Russia) to the north and Azerbaijan to the east; the Lagodekhi border crossing is one of the main routes between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The name Lagodekhi appears in the medieval Georgian chronicle of Juansher, in the story of King Vakhtang Gorgasali. According to historical accounts, a fortress was built here in the 8th century, and in the 11th century the area had an important monastery of the historic province of Hereti. The region suffered heavily from Shah Abbas’s invasions in the 1610s. In 1830 a Russian military settlement was established here, which became a civilian settlement in 1857. Until 1917 the area belonged to the Sighnaghi district.
The municipality preserves medieval churches such as St Theodore in Leliani (11th–12th centuries) and churches in Poni, Areshperani and Khoshatiani; the Leliani treasure was found here in the 1920s. High above the town, within the reserve, stand the ruins of Machi fortress, dating to the 11th century.
Lagodekhi is best known for the Lagodekhi Protected Areas, founded in 1912 on the initiative of the naturalist Ludwik Młokosiewicz — the first nature reserve on the territory of present-day Georgia. Covering over 24,000 ha, about 70% of it forest, the reserve stretches from humid lowland woods to alpine meadows and glacial lakes, including Black Rock Lake on the border with Russia. Popular trails lead to the Ninoskhevi and Grouse waterfalls and to Machi fortress.
For travellers, Lagodekhi is the perfect destination for hiking in Kakheti: short forest trails to waterfalls can be done in a day, while the multi-day route to Black Rock Lake offers one of the most spectacular mountain hikes in eastern Georgia. Guesthouses in town and its location on the road to Azerbaijan make Lagodekhi an easy stop on any Kakheti itinerary.
FAQ
1) Where is Lagodekhi Municipality located?
In the far east of Kakheti, at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, bordering Azerbaijan.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The town of Lagodekhi, at about 450 m above sea level.
3) When was the Lagodekhi reserve founded?
In 1912 — it is the oldest nature reserve on the territory of present-day Georgia.
4) Who initiated the Lagodekhi reserve?
The naturalist Ludwik Młokosiewicz.
5) What is Black Rock Lake?
A glacial lake on the border with Russia, reached by a multi-day trail through the reserve.
6) Which waterfalls can be visited?
The Ninoskhevi and Grouse waterfalls.
7) What is Machi fortress?
The ruins of an 11th-century fortress inside the protected areas.
8) Is there a border crossing to Azerbaijan?
Yes, the Lagodekhi border crossing is one of the main routes between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
9) Which medieval churches are there?
St Theodore in Leliani (11th–12th centuries) and churches in Poni, Areshperani and Khoshatiani.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.