# Telavi Municipality
- URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/telavi-municipality
- Type: municipality
- Region: Kakheti
- Official website: https://telavi.gov.ge

## History

Telavi Municipality lies in the heart of **Kakheti**, eastern Georgia, with the city of **Telavi** — the administrative centre of the Kakheti region — as its centre. The town stands at about 490 m above sea level on the foothills of the **Tsiv-Gombori Range**, overlooking the **Alazani Valley**. The municipality covers about 1,095 km²: its central part lies on the Alazani plain between the Gombori ridge to the south-west (up to about 1,990 m) and the Kakheti Caucasus to the north-east, with large deciduous forests on the slopes. Telavi borders Akhmeta, Kvareli, Gurjaani and Sagarejo municipalities and, in the north-east, Dagestan (Russia).

The area has been settled since the Bronze Age, and Telavi is often identified with “Teleda”, mentioned by the geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. From the early Middle Ages it was one of the main political centres of Kakheti, and in the mid-17th century the royal capital moved here from Gremi. The city reached its peak under King **Erekle II**, who ruled from Telavi in the second half of the 18th century; after Russia annexed the Kartli-Kakheti kingdom in 1801, Telavi lost its status as a royal capital.

The symbol of the city is **Batonis Tsikhe**, the “Master’s Fortress” — the royal residence built in **1664–1675** by King Archil and reconstructed under Erekle II; it has operated as a museum since 1935. Telavi also preserves the **Dzveli Galavani** fortress walls (9th–10th centuries) and the famous **giant plane tree**, about 900 years old and some 40 m tall. Near the city lie major monasteries: **Ikalto**, founded in the late 6th century by St Zenon, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers, whose academy was established in the 12th century under David the Builder; and **Old and New Shuamta**, with a 5th-century basilica, 7th-century domed churches and a 16th-century monastery founded with the support of Queen Tinatin.

Telavi is one of Georgia’s key wine areas. The village of **Tsinandali** is home to the estate of the **Chavchavadze** family, famous for its palace, gardens and historic wine cellar, and the municipality includes the protected wine appellations **Tsinandali**, **Napareuli** and **Teliani**. The palace complex of **Vanta** and many village churches add to the heritage of the area.

For travellers, Telavi is the classic base for exploring Kakheti. In one or two days you can combine the old town and Batonis Tsikhe with Ikalto, Shuamta and Tsinandali, and add wine tastings in nearby villages. The Gombori pass offers a scenic road to Tbilisi, while the Alazani Valley opens views towards the Greater Caucasus.

## FAQ

**1) Where is Telavi Municipality located?**
In the centre of the Kakheti region, eastern Georgia, on the Alazani Valley.

**2) What is the administrative centre?**
The city of Telavi, which is also the administrative centre of Kakheti.

**3) How old is Telavi?**
It is often identified with “Teleda”, mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD.

**4) When was Telavi the royal capital?**
From the mid-17th century, when the capital moved from Gremi, until the annexation by Russia in 1801.

**5) What is Batonis Tsikhe?**
The royal residence built in 1664–1675 by King Archil and rebuilt under Erekle II; now a museum.

**6) How old is Telavi’s giant plane tree?**
About 900 years old and roughly 40 m tall.

**7) What is Ikalto?**
A monastery founded in the late 6th century by St Zenon, with a medieval academy.

**8) Is Tsinandali in Telavi Municipality?**
Yes, the Chavchavadze estate in Tsinandali is in Telavi Municipality.

**9) Which wine appellations are in the municipality?**
Tsinandali, Napareuli and Teliani.

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

## Sources

- [Telavi Municipality — official website](https://telavi.gov.ge)
- [Telavi Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telavi_Municipality)
- [Telavi (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telavi)
- [Batonis Tsikhe (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batonis_Tsikhe)
- [Ikalto Monastery (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikalto_Monastery)
- [Old and New Shuamta — Georgia Travel](https://georgia.travel/old-and-new-shuamta)
- [Tsinandali (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsinandali)
- [List of Georgian wine appellations (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Georgian_wine_appellations)

## Settlements

- [Akhateli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/akhateli): Discover Akhateli, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Akura](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/akura): Discover Akura, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Artana](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/artana): Discover Artana, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Busheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/busheti): Discover Busheti, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gulgula](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/gulgula): Discover Gulgula, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Iqalto](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/iqalto): Discover Iqalto, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Iultas Nasoplari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/iultas-nasoplari): Discover Iultas Nasoplari, a abandoned village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Jughaani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/jughaani): Discover Jughaani, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kisiskhevi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/kisiskhevi): Discover Kisiskhevi, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kobadze](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/kobadze): Discover Kobadze, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kondoli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/kondoli): Discover Kondoli, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kurdghelauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/kurdghelauri): Discover Kurdghelauri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kvemo Khodasheni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/kvemo-khodasheni): Discover Kvemo Khodasheni, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Lalisquri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/lalisquri): Discover Lalisquri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Lapanquri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/lapanquri): Discover Lapanquri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Lechuri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/lechuri): Discover Lechuri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Nadikvari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/nadikvari): Discover Nadikvari, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Napareuli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/napareuli): Discover Napareuli, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Nasamkhrali](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/nasamkhrali): Discover Nasamkhrali, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Pantiani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/pantiani): Discover Pantiani, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Pshaveli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/pshaveli): Discover Pshaveli, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Qarajala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/qarajala): Discover Qarajala, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ruispiri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/ruispiri): Discover Ruispiri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Salebeli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/salebeli): Discover Salebeli, a abandoned village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Saniore](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/saniore): Discover Saniore, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Serodani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/serodani): Discover Serodani, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Shalauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/shalauri): Discover Shalauri, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tetri Tsqlebi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/tetri-tsqlebi): Discover Tetri Tsqlebi, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tqe Tba](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/tqe-tba): Discover Tqe Tba, a abandoned village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tsinandali](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/tsinandali): Tsinandali in Kakheti: the Chavchavadze estate and garden, an oenotheque of 16,500 bottles and a music festival. 79 km east of Tbilisi.
- [Vanta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/vanta): Discover Vanta, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Vardisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/kakheti/telavi-municipality/vardisubani): Discover Vardisubani, a village in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.

## This page in other languages

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