Zestafoni Municipality
Zestafoni in Imereti: Shorapani fortress, Tabakini monastery, Sakara vineyards and Ajameti forest. History, tips and route ideas.
Zestafoni Municipality — overview
MunicipalityHistory
Zestafoni Municipality lies in the eastern part of the Imereti region in western Georgia, with the town of Zestafoni as its administrative centre. The town is built on both banks of the Kvirila River, which crosses the municipality from east to west; the Dzirula and Chkherimela rivers also flow through the area. The relief changes gradually from the edge of the Kolkheti lowland in the west (about 90–200 m) to the Imereti plateau in the east, rising towards about 1,000 m in the south and east. The municipality covers a little over 420 km² and borders Terjola, Baghdati, Kharagauli and Chiatura municipalities.
Historically the area belonged to Argveti, the eastern part of Imereti, and its most important ancient site is Shorapani at the confluence of the Kvirila and Dzirula. According to the municipality, the fortress-town of Shorapani is traditionally attributed to King Parnavaz and dates back to the Hellenistic period; for centuries it guarded the route between western and eastern Georgia. Medieval heritage includes the early medieval Tabakini Monastery, the 11th-century churches of Zeda Sakara, Tseva and Sviri (St George), and fortresses such as Diklauri and Shrosha.
Zestafoni itself is first mentioned in sources from the 1560s. Its name is usually explained as “the upper ford of the Kvirila”. In the 1820s a Cossack post called Kvirila stood here, and the settlement grew around the road and later the railway. In 1920 it was renamed Jugeli, but the historical name was restored in 1921. The town became an industrial centre after the ferroalloy plant opened in 1933, which is still associated with Zestafoni today.
The municipality is also one of Imereti’s key wine areas: vineyards occupy a large share of its farmland, and local wines are made from Tsitska, Tsolikouri and Krakhuna. The Sakara viticulture research station near the town is known for its collection of grape varieties. Zestafoni is associated with several notable Georgians, including the psychologist Dimitri Uznadze and the actor Ushangi Chkheidze, whose house-museum operates in the municipality.
For visitors, Zestafoni works well as a stop on the main road between Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The ruins of Shorapani, the Tabakini monastery on its hilltop and the Sakara churches combine easily with wine tasting in the surrounding villages. Nature lovers can visit the Samtsvera waterfall near Zovreti, the medieval Queen Tamar’s Bridge at Chalatke, or the Ajameti Managed Reserve, shared with Baghdati, which protects relict Imeretian oak and zelkova forests.
FAQ
1) Where is Zestafoni Municipality located?
In the eastern part of the Imereti region, western Georgia, on the Kvirila River.
2) What is the administrative centre?
The town of Zestafoni, built on both banks of the Kvirila.
3) When is Zestafoni first mentioned?
In sources from the 1560s.
4) What does the name Zestafoni mean?
It is usually explained as “the upper ford of the Kvirila”.
5) What is Shorapani?
An ancient fortress-town at the confluence of the Kvirila and Dzirula, traditionally attributed to King Parnavaz.
6) Which medieval monuments are worth visiting?
Tabakini Monastery and the 11th-century churches of Zeda Sakara, Tseva and Sviri.
7) What is Zestafoni known for in industry?
The ferroalloy plant, which opened in 1933.
8) Which wines are made here?
Wines from Imeretian varieties such as Tsitska, Tsolikouri and Krakhuna.
9) What natural sights are nearby?
The Samtsvera waterfall near Zovreti and the Ajameti Managed Reserve.
10) Where can I find official municipal information?
On the municipality’s official website, zestafoni.gov.ge.