# Samtredia Municipality
- URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/samtredia-municipality
- Type: municipality
- Region: Imereti
- Official website: https://samtredia.gov.ge

## History

Samtredia Municipality lies in the western part of the **Imereti** region, at the meeting point of Imereti, **Guria** and **Samegrelo**, with the town of **Samtredia** as its administrative centre, about 30 km west of Kutaisi. The municipality covers about **364 km²**, most of it on the flat **Kolkheti (Colchis) Lowland**, while its outer hill villages lie on the Sajavakho plateau. The **Rioni** flows through the municipality for about 35 km, joined by the **Tskhenistskali** and **Gubistskali**. Samtredia borders Abasha, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Vani, Chokhatauri and Lanchkhuti municipalities.

The low, once swampy and forested plain has been inhabited for a long time, and the municipality preserves medieval monuments such as the ruins of **Telepisi fortress** (11th–12th centuries) and the 12th-century **church of Vazisubani**, as well as the church at **Nogha** and a number of churches from the 15th–19th centuries. The town of Samtredia itself, however, is relatively young: in the late 18th century it was still a small village surrounded by marshes and forests. Its name is linked to the Georgian word *mtredi*, “pigeon”.

Samtredia’s growth is tied to the railway. When the Poti–Tbilisi line was built in the **1870s**, Samtredia became one of its key junctions, and the settlement developed rapidly around the station. The first school opened in **1895**, and Samtredia received town status in **1921**. In the Soviet period food and wood industries developed here, and the town played a notable role in Georgia’s national movement, including railway blockades in 1990–1991.

Today Samtredia remains one of the main railway hubs of Georgia, and international highways cross the municipality, linking western Georgia with the Black Sea ports and Tbilisi. The village of **Kulashi** is known for its historic **synagogue**, a reminder of the long presence of Georgian Jews in the area. Among the notable people connected with Samtredia are the mathematician **Andrea Razmadze**, a co-founder of Tbilisi State University, and the footballer and politician **Kakha Kaladze**.

For travellers, Samtredia is mainly a convenient transit point: Kutaisi International Airport is about 20 km away, and trains between Tbilisi, Batumi and Poti pass through the town. From here it is easy to reach Guria, Samegrelo and the sights of central Imereti, and to explore the plain landscapes of the Rioni valley, Telepisi fortress and the Kulashi synagogue along the way.

## FAQ

**1) Where is Samtredia Municipality located?**
In the western part of Imereti, where Imereti, Guria and Samegrelo meet.

**2) What is the administrative centre?**
The town of Samtredia, about 30 km west of Kutaisi.

**3) How large is the municipality?**
About 364 km², mostly on the Kolkheti Lowland.

**4) Which rivers flow through it?**
The Rioni, Tskhenistskali and Gubistskali.

**5) Why is Samtredia important?**
It is one of Georgia’s main railway junctions, established on the Poti–Tbilisi line in the 1870s.

**6) When did Samtredia become a town?**
In 1921.

**7) What does the name Samtredia mean?**
It is linked to the Georgian word mtredi, “pigeon”.

**8) Which historical monuments are there?**
Telepisi fortress (11th–12th centuries), Vazisubani church (12th century) and the Kulashi synagogue.

**9) How far is Kutaisi International Airport?**
About 20 km from Samtredia.

**10) Where can I find official municipal information?**
On the municipality’s official website, samtredia.gov.ge.

## Sources

- [Samtredia Municipality — official website](https://samtredia.gov.ge)
- [Samtredia Municipality — Imereti regional administration](https://imereti.gov.ge/eng/static/57/)
- [Samtredia (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samtredia)
- [Samtredia Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samtredia_Municipality)
- [Samtredia — Georgia Travel](https://georgia.travel/cities-towns/samtredia)

## Settlements

- [Akhalsopeli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/akhalsopeli): Discover Akhalsopeli, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Bashi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/bashi): Discover Bashi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Bughnara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/bughnara): Discover Bughnara, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Chagani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/chagani): Discover Chagani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Chkhenishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/chkhenishi): Discover Chkhenishi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Chognari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/chognari): Discover Chognari, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dablagomi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/dablagomi): Discover Dablagomi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dapnari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/dapnari): Discover Dapnari, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Didi Jikhaishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/didi-jikhaishi): Discover Didi Jikhaishi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Didi Opeti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/didi-opeti): Discover Didi Opeti, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dobiro](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/dobiro): Discover Dobiro, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gamochinebuli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/gamochinebuli): Discover Gamochinebuli, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ghaniri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/ghaniri): Discover Ghaniri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gommukhaqrua](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/gommukhaqrua): Discover Gommukhaqrua, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gomnatekhebi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/gomnatekhebi): Discover Gomnatekhebi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gormaghali](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/gormaghali): Discover Gormaghali, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gvimrala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/gvimrala): Discover Gvimrala, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ianeti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/ianeti): Discover Ianeti, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Jiktubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/jiktubani): Discover Jiktubani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kechinari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kechinari): Discover Kechinari, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ketilauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/ketilauri): Discover Ketilauri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Khiblari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/khiblari): Discover Khiblari, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Khunjulauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/khunjulauri): Discover Khunjulauri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Koreisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/koreisubani): Discover Koreisubani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kormaghali](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kormaghali): Discover Kormaghali, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kulashi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kulashi): Discover Kulashi, a town in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kvaqude](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kvaqude): Discover Kvaqude, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kveda Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kveda-etseri): Discover Kveda Etseri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kvemo Nogha](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kvemo-nogha): Discover Kvemo Nogha, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kvirike](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/kvirike): Discover Kvirike, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Melauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/melauri): Discover Melauri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Mitsabogira](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/mitsabogira): Discover Mitsabogira, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Mterchveuli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/mterchveuli): Discover Mterchveuli, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Mtisdziri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/mtisdziri): Discover Mtisdziri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Nabakevi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/nabakevi): Discover Nabakevi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Natsilopeti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/natsilopeti): Discover Natsilopeti, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Nigorzghva](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/nigorzghva): Discover Nigorzghva, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ninuakutkhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/ninuakutkhe): Discover Ninuakutkhe, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ochopa](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/ochopa): Discover Ochopa, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Patara Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/patara-etseri): Discover Patara Etseri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Patara Opeti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/patara-opeti): Discover Patara Opeti, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Sajavakho](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/sajavakho): Discover Sajavakho, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tkhilagani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/tkhilagani): Discover Tkhilagani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tolebi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/tolebi): Discover Tolebi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tsiaghubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/tsiaghubani): Discover Tsiaghubani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tsivtsqala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/tsivtsqala): Discover Tsivtsqala, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Vazisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/vazisubani): Discover Vazisubani, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Etseri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/zeda-etseri): Discover Zeda Etseri, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zemo Nogha](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/zemo-nogha): Discover Zemo Nogha, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zemo Tolebi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/samtredia-municipality/zemo-tolebi): Discover Zemo Tolebi, a village in Samtredia Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.

## This page in other languages

- [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/samtredia-municipality)
- [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/samtredia-municipality)