Ninotsminda Municipality
Ninotsminda: Paravani Lake, Javakheti National Park, Poka nunnery, Doukhobor village of Gorelovka and the high volcanic plateau.
Ninotsminda Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Ninotsminda Municipality occupies the south-east of the Javakheti Plateau in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, with the town of Ninotsminda as its administrative centre, at about 1,940 m above sea level. The municipality covers about 1,354 km² of high volcanic steppe and mountains, crowned by the Samsari and Javakheti ranges, with peaks such as Godorebi (3,189 m). It borders Akhalkalaki and Tsalka to the north-west, Dmanisi to the east, Turkey to the south-west and Armenia to the south. Most of its population is ethnic Armenian.
The plateau is famous for its lakes. Paravani, the largest lake in Georgia (about 37.5 km²), lies at about 2,073 m; the Paravani River flows from it towards the Mtkvari. Saghamo and Khanchali lakes are also in the area — Khanchali was drained in 1968–1980 and refilled in 1997 — and the wetlands attract many migratory birds. Javakheti National Park, established in 2011, protects these highland lakes and steppe landscapes together with several managed reserves.
The town was known in the Ottoman period as Altunkale, and from 1930 to 1991 as Bogdanovka, before taking the name Ninotsminda (“St Nino’s holy place”). It received city status in 1983. In the 1840s Doukhobors, a Russian religious community, were settled in Javakheti; the village of Gorelovka, where they lived from 1841, is today preserved as a village-museum, although many Doukhobors left in the 1990s.
On the shore of Paravani stands the Poka monastery of St Nino, with a church from the 11th century; according to tradition St Nino passed by this lake on her way into Georgia. The monastery was re-established in 1989, and its nuns are known for their cheese and other farm products.
For travellers, Ninotsminda is a destination of vast horizons: drive around Paravani and Khanchali, visit the Poka nunnery and Gorelovka, watch birds in the national park and climb the volcanic peaks in summer. The road continues south to the Armenian border, making it a scenic route between Georgia and Armenia.
FAQ
1) Where is Ninotsminda Municipality located?
In the south-east of the Javakheti Plateau, bordering Turkey and Armenia.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The town of Ninotsminda, at about 1,940 m above sea level.
3) What was Ninotsminda called before?
Altunkale in the Ottoman period and Bogdanovka from 1930 to 1991.
4) What is Paravani Lake?
The largest lake in Georgia, about 37.5 km², at roughly 2,073 m.
5) When was Javakheti National Park established?
In 2011.
6) Who are the Doukhobors?
A Russian religious community settled in Javakheti in the 1840s; Gorelovka is now a village-museum.
7) What is Poka?
A monastery of St Nino on the shore of Paravani, with an 11th-century church, re-established in 1989.
8) What is Khanchali Lake?
A lake drained in 1968–1980 and refilled in 1997, now important for birds.
9) When did Ninotsminda become a city?
In 1983.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website.