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

## History

Vani Municipality lies in the south-western part of the **Imereti** region in western Georgia, with the town of **Vani** as its administrative centre, about 41 km south-west of Kutaisi. The municipality covers about **557 km²**: its northern part belongs to the Imereti lowland, where the **Rioni River** forms the northern border, while to the south the land rises into the northern foothills of the **Meskheti Range**. The town stands on the **Sulori River**, a tributary of the Rioni. Vani borders Baghdati, Tskaltubo and Samtredia municipalities, as well as Chokhatauri (Guria) and Adigeni (Samtskhe-Javakheti).

Vani is best known for the **ancient city of Vani**, one of the most important archaeological sites of **Colchis**; its original name remains unknown. Systematic excavations began in **1947**, initiated by Nino Khoshtaria and later led by Otar Lordkipanidze. Researchers distinguish several stages of the site: a cult centre in the 8th–7th centuries BC, a political and administrative centre of Colchis in the 6th–4th centuries BC, a period of rich burials in the late 4th–early 3rd centuries BC, and a temple-city in the 3rd–1st centuries BC. The city was destroyed in the mid-1st century BC.

Finds from Vani — gold jewellery, bronze sculpture and imported Greek ware — made it a symbol of “Golden Colchis” and are often linked with the legend of the Argonauts. The **Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve** was founded in **1985** to protect and present the site, and in **2007** Vani was placed on **UNESCO’s Tentative List** of World Heritage. Vani became a separate administrative district in 1930 and received town status in **1981**.

The municipality is also associated with Georgian literature: the poets **Galaktion Tabidze** and **Titsian Tabidze** were born in the village of **Chkvishi**, where their house-museum now operates. Medieval heritage includes the **Archangel Church of Inashauri** (12th–13th centuries) and churches in Salomina, Amaglebi and Dikhashkho, as well as the remains of fortresses such as Gormaghali near Sulori. Local wines are made mainly from Imeretian varieties such as **Tsolikouri**, **Tsitska** and **Aladasturi**.

For visitors, Vani is first of all an archaeological destination: the hilltop museum-reserve with its excavated terraces and gold collection is a must for anyone interested in Colchis. In summer, the **Sulori** balneo-climatic resort, about 11 km from Vani, offers sulphur mineral waters, and **Amaglebi** is also known for its mineral springs. Combined with the Tabidze museum in Chkvishi, Vani makes a rewarding half-day or full-day trip from Kutaisi.

## FAQ

**1) Where is Vani Municipality located?**
In the south-western part of the Imereti region, western Georgia, between the Rioni River and the Meskheti Range foothills.

**2) What is the administrative centre?**
The town of Vani, on the Sulori River.

**3) What is ancient Vani?**
An important city of ancient Colchis, inhabited from the 8th century BC and destroyed in the mid-1st century BC.

**4) When did excavations at Vani begin?**
Systematic excavations began in 1947.

**5) Is Vani a UNESCO site?**
Vani has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2007.

**6) Where can I see the Vani gold finds?**
At the Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve, founded in 1985.

**7) Which poets were born in Vani Municipality?**
Galaktion and Titsian Tabidze, in the village of Chkvishi.

**8) What is Sulori?**
A balneo-climatic resort about 11 km from Vani with sulphur mineral waters.

**9) Which wines are typical for the area?**
Wines from Imeretian varieties such as Tsolikouri, Tsitska and Aladasturi.

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

## Sources

- [Vani Municipality — official website](https://vani.gov.ge/)
- [Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve — Vani Municipality](https://vani.gov.ge/en/vani-archeological-museum/)
- [Vani — UNESCO Tentative List](https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5235)
- [Vani (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vani)
- [Vani Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vani_Municipality)
- [Vani Municipality — Imereti regional administration](https://imereti.gov.ge/eng/static/63/)
- [Sulori resort — Vani Municipality](https://vani.gov.ge/en/resort-sulori/)
- [Galaktion and Titsian Tabidze House Museum (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaktion_and_Titsian_Tabidze_House_Museum)

## Settlements

- [Amaghleba](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/amaghleba): Discover Amaghleba, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Bagineti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/bagineti): Discover Bagineti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Chagan Chqvishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/chagan-chqvishi): Discover Chagan Chqvishi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Chqvishi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/chqvishi): Discover Chqvishi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dikhashkho](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/dikhashkho): Discover Dikhashkho, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dutskhuni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/dutskhuni): Discover Dutskhuni, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Dzulukhi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/dzulukhi): Discover Dzulukhi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Gadidi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/gadidi): Discover Gadidi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Imerukhuti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/imerukhuti): Discover Imerukhuti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Inashauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/inashauri): Discover Inashauri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Isriti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/isriti): Discover Isriti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kushubauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/kushubauri): Discover Kushubauri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kveda Bzvani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/kveda-bzvani): Discover Kveda Bzvani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kveda Gora](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/kveda-gora): Discover Kveda Gora, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Kveda Mukedi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/kveda-mukedi): Discover Kveda Mukedi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Maisauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/maisauri): Discover Maisauri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Mikeleponi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/mikeleponi): Discover Mikeleponi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Mtisdziri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/mtisdziri): Discover Mtisdziri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Onjokheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/onjokheti): Discover Onjokheti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Pereta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/pereta): Discover Pereta, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Qumuri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/qumuri): Discover Qumuri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Romaneti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/romaneti): Discover Romaneti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Salkhino](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/salkhino): Discover Salkhino, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Salominao](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/salominao): Discover Salominao, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Saprasia](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/saprasia): Discover Saprasia, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Shua Gora](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/shua-gora): Discover Shua Gora, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Shuamta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/shuamta): Discover Shuamta, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Sulori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/sulori): Discover Sulori, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tobanieri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/tobanieri): Discover Tobanieri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tqelvani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/tqelvani): Discover Tqelvani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tsikhesulori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/tsikhesulori): Discover Tsikhesulori, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Tsikhisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/tsikhisubani): Discover Tsikhisubani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Ukhuti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/ukhuti): Discover Ukhuti, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Bzvani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeda-bzvani): Discover Zeda Bzvani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Etser Tobanieri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeda-etser-tobanieri): Discover Zeda Etser Tobanieri, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Gora](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeda-gora): Discover Zeda Gora, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Mukedi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeda-mukedi): Discover Zeda Mukedi, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeda Vani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeda-vani): Discover Zeda Vani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zeindari](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zeindari): Discover Zeindari, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.
- [Zenobani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/imereti/vani-municipality/zenobani): Discover Zenobani, a village in Vani Municipality, Imereti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia.

## This page in other languages

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