Samegrelo is a historical-geographic region in west Georgia. Zugdidi is its administrative center. It belongs to Samegrelo – Zemo Svaneti region according to the current administrative-territorial divisions.
Samegrelo is bordered to the north by Abkhazia and Svaneti, to the east by Lechkhumi and Imereti, to the south by Guria and the west by the Black Sea. It is located between the following rivers: Enguri, Rioni, and Tskhenistskali.
Samegrelo is divided into municipalities: Abasha, Zugdidi, Martvili, Senaki, Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjikha, Khobi. The city of Poti (historical name Phasis) does not belong to any municipality. It is a port city, and its essential trading status dates back to the antique period. As for Samegrelo, its history is related to the myth of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece. Anaklia is the region’s seaside resort, Lebarde, Tsai, and Menji are notable among balneological resorts.
The relief of Samegrelo is diverse. Here you will find not only lowlands and swampy soils, but also highlands with alpine lakes. The karstic caves, canyons, and waterfalls of the region are among Georgia’s natural monuments.
Megrelian cuisine is one of the reasons for the region’s uniqueness. Spicy spices (green and red Ajika), cheese delicacies, and meat dishes are the most common here. The guests are always hosted by Elarji and Satsivi on festivals. Elarji is a type of Ghomi (that is made with plant Ghomi or coarse and fine corn flour) cooked with cheese. As for Satsivi, it is made with turkey or chicken meat put into the walnut sauce. As for drinks, the distinguished one is semi-sweet red wine Ojaleshi made from local grapes.
There are not only cultural but also natural monuments in Samegrelo. Here are places for adventure lovers and for those who enjoy a peaceful rest. Travelers who love cultural monuments should visit Dadiani Palaces History and Architectural Museum and artificial forest around it in Zugdidi. There are kept exhibits of world importance, such as the seamless robe of Mary, mother of Jesus, and the mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. Nokalakevi (“Fortress of Kuji,” Tsikhegoji, Archaeopolis) is the main object of interest for lovers of antiquity and city ruins; it is located in Senaki Municipality. Besides, there are many churches and monasteries in Samegrelo. Must-see natural monuments of Martvili Municipality are the cascading waterfall of Toba and Oniore Waterfall, Motena Cave, the canyons of Balda and Martvili. You can take a boat trip and enjoy the beautiful views of the Martvili Canyon. Do not forget to see Kuakantsalia – 10-12-tonnes rocking stone in Tsalenjikha Municipality.
Bird watching, sport fishing, boating are activities that can be enjoyed while visiting Kolkheti National Park. It is located in Western Georgia and covers the eastern zone of the Black Sea and the basin of Paliastomi Lake. The district of Churia is an ideal place for resting in a peaceful environment.
Lovers of adventure and hiking should visit alpine lakes that are hidden into mountains and guarded by them. You have to follow a hiking trail to set up camp on the bank of big and little lakes of Lebarde. The trail starts from the resort of Lebarde. There are stunning views on the valley of the Tekhuri River from the Egrisi Range. It is possible to swim across Lebarde’s lakes from one side to another in sunny weather. It is almost impossible in case of other Tobavarchkhili Lakes (“Silver Lakes”) of the Egrisi Range as the water is too cold there. Here is the list of lakes that are located on one of the most beautiful hiking trails of Georgia: Tsashkibuli (Okhoje) Tobavarchkhili, Didi (Chitagvalash) Tobavarchkhili, Kaliash Tobavarchkhili, Tsakatskar Tobavarchkhili, and Didghali Toba. This hiking route awards visitors with amazing views – a beautiful scene will be unfolded in front of their eyes.
You can find guesthouses and hotels in Samegrelo. There are lots of them in Anaklia, Poti, Zugdidi, and Martvili. The relief of Anaklia, Martvili, and Lebarde is convenient for staying at night in tents as well; there are cottages for tourists in the Kolkheti National Park.
There are two notable hiking routes in Samegrelo: when traveling from Samegrelo to Zemo Svaneti, you follow the Egrisi Range, on this hiking route you visit attractive Tobavarchkhili Lakes and Lakumurash Toba; and while traveling from Samegrelo to Lechkhumi, you go through the alpine lakes from the resort of Lebarde to the Askhi Plateau.
[:ka]ლაშქრობა, ეგრესის ქედი, ტობავარჩხილი, ტობა.[:en]Hiking, backpacking, Egrisi ridge, Tobavarchkhili, Samegrelo.[:de]ლაშქრობა, ბექფექინგი, ეგრესის ქედის ტობავარჩხილები.[:ru]ლაშქრობა, ბექფექინგი, ეგრესის ქედის ტობავარჩხილები.[:]
