The 7,000 exhibits at the Zestafoni Local History Museum include materials from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as numismatics and ceramics. The museum opened on October 3, 1987. Together with the Ushangi Chkheidze House Museum, it is part of the city’s museum system. The collection offers an introduction to different historical periods, which you can combine with visits to historic sites in the surrounding area.
Museums and Archaeological Finds
The Ushangi Chkheidze House Museum hosted an educational project for primary school children, intended to promote cultural heritage and preserve historical memory. If you are interested in a program, check in advance for the latest information, as program details may change. The history of Shorapani Fortress is also represented in the Local History Museum: materials from archaeological excavations there are held in the collection. Finds from the fortress include a stone anchor and a bronze equestrian sculpture, dated to the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.
Fortresses and Sacred Buildings
Nearby Shorapani Fortress was built during the reign of King Parnavaz. Shorapani served as a trade link between western and eastern countries. Another historic highlight is the Tabakini St. George Monastery, which dates from the 7th and 8th centuries and is known for its architecture and 16th-century wall paintings. Paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved at Tvevi St. George’s Church. As the condition of historic features may change, check before visiting. Other historic destinations in the area include Tabakini Fortress, the Church of Upper Sakara and Tamar Bridge.
Landscape, Route and Events
Samtsvera Waterfall lies east of the village of Zovreti and is visited by tourists and locals in summer. The area around Zestafoni has Colchian forests with oaks, beeches, walnut trees and ash trees. These two natural attractions also differ in their seasonal appeal: summer is mentioned as a time to visit the waterfall, while the forests are characterized by their tree species.
The Fersa–Tabakini trekking route reaches Zestafoni from the village of Tabakini and then continues on to Tbilisi. Transport onward is a separate matter: minibuses run toward Zestafoni from the center of Tabakini, and taxis are also frequent. Frequency and availability may change; check the connection for your travel date. The Georgian folk song festival Suliko is held annually in the village of Tskhratskaro. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant year.
Wine and Where to Stay
Amiran Vepkhvadze’s wine cellar is located in Zestafoni at 32 Paolo Iashvili Street. It offers natural wines made from Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna and Otskhanuri Sapere grapes. The wines are naturally fermented and aged in traditional Georgian qvevri. The selection may change; check which wines are currently available before visiting. The nearby wine storehouse at the Sakara Experimental Station holds wines made from distinctive grape varieties.
When looking for hotels in Zestafoni, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you mainly like to explore museums and historic buildings, or also include nature, the trekking route and the festival in your plans? This can help you choose where to stay based on the experiences that matter to your trip.
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Back to the regional travel overview: Imereti.
