Ozurgeti

Ozurgeti was founded in the Middle Ages, 16th Century. The city was the residence of the Prince of Guria and became a trading center in later centuries. Ozurgeti received its town charter in 1840, after becoming part of Russian Empire. The town was a strategic location in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). In the 19th century Ozurgeti became the hometown of tea producing and citrus growing in Georgia. In 1905 Ozurgeti was center of Georgian Social-Democratic Movement and capital of so called "Gurian Republic" which existed during Russian Revolution. From 1934 to 1989, the city was named after the Georgian Communist Party leader of the 1920s and 1930s, Philip Makharadze. Today's layout and image of the town was established during Soviet times. The largest employers in the city are government and financial institutions, and nut cultivation is the main economic activity.

By plane

The nearest major international airport is in Tbilisi (340km), while Batumi (60km) and Kutaisi (70km) International Airports are the nearest accessible airports. Trabzon airport (250km) in Turkey might be an option, also.
The following airlines operate service to/from Kutaisi International Airport:
WizzAir (Athens, Barcelona, Berlin-Schoenefeld, Budapest, Dortmund, Katowice, Larnaca, London-Luton, Memmingen, Milan-Malpensa, Paris-Beauvais, Praha, Riga, Rome-Fiumicino, Thessaloniki, Vienna, Vilnius),
Service Air (Mestia).

By train

Ozurgeti has a railway station, which can be Reached from both Batumi and Tbilisi. Ozurgeti is end point of a branch line from Natanebi on the Black Sea coast.
There is a daily train pair each to Tbilisi (night and day trains) and Batumi (day train). The former holds the road, among others in Samtredia. The second one also in Kobuleti. Ticket prices from Tbilisi to Ozurgeti vary between 15-30 lari. Trains leave twice a day and take about 9 hours. Batumi-Ozurgeti train leaves once a day, only evenings and takes 2 hours. Tickets from both cities can be bought at stations and online.
a magnificent and newly renovated neoclassical building, approximately 500 m north of the center, at the end of the Ilia Chavchavadze Street. There is a ticket office and Mini Bus station over there. Taxis await incoming passengers. A taxi from the station to city costs 3-5 lari, to villages 4-20 lari.

By bus

There are daily arrivals and departures in several directions: Kutaisi (from Kutaisi main station, behind the Mcdonalds, at 10:30 11:30, 13:10, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30), Samtredia, Kobuleti and Batumi, also Tbilisi, as well as marshrutkas to nearest villages and sites of tourist interest in the area. is south of the city center next to the large roundabout.

By car

Ozurgeti lies on the well-developed regional road "შ 2" (Kobuleti - Chokhatauri - Sadzhavakho - Samtredia), "შ 46" Ureki-Natanebi-Ozurgeti and "შ 84" Lanchkhuti - Lesa - Ozurgeti; about 7km east from the regional road 'შ 47" Nasakirali - Schuchuti. Roads are paved with asphalt, except "შ 84" which is paved with concrete. Roads are beautiful, but winding, and are ideal for a scenic drive.
;filling stations

• Wissol

  address: Takaishvili Str
  petrol

• Gulfpetrol

• Lukoil

  address: Kostava Str
  petrol

• Socar

  address: Takaishvili Str
  petrol

• Rompetrol

  address: Aghmashenebeli Str
  petrol

• Prometegas

  address: Takaishvili Str
  gas

• Prometegasgas

A small town, Ozurgeti is easily covered on foot. The town has no public transport system. Buses and mini-buses (Marschrutkas) go only in the surrounding area. Cycling can be an option, also, but there are no bike rentals, though. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari. Taxis are cheap and cost 3-5 lari within the town.
Ozurgeti has following districts: the center, where government, financial, shopping and service provider institutions are based, Seri south from the center, located on the small hill, historical part of the town Ekadia, former village, now part of the town, south of river Bzhuzhi; Anaseuli - Soviet-era settlement with former tea factory and scientific institutions and sleeping districts: Lashe-Gakiruli in the eastern part of the town, Zvani in the western part and Moidanakhe on the northern hill, where the town's major cemeteries are located.

The main sightseeing in the town is an archaeological site, , which were built and used by rulers of Principality of Guria - Gurieli. Baths are located on the central square of the town. Ruins are left open-air, so its free to visit. These baths must have been oldest building in the town. The oldest survived building of the town is , built in 1863, used to be a residence of the noble family, which is now used as a residence of the local Bishop of Georgian Orthodox Church. XIX century typical Gurian wooden houses, with balconies and tile roofs can be found scattered in the town.
The city center is dominated by a - the second largest theater building in Georgia, with statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian movie director, born in Ozurgeti. The city center extends along the Chavchavadze street north to the quite remarkable train station. All around are typical magnificent Soviet buildings of the 1930s to the 1960s, in the classical style, such as - built in 1930s and renovated 1980s, but nonfunctional yet and - constructivist building from the 1970s. Slightly away from the town center is a industrial complex of a with glorious Soviet residential and administrative buildings and wall mosaics. Also worthy is a near the train station. Another Soviet industrial and administrative building can be found in , an outskirt in south-western part of the town.
There are also two newly built, Postmodern architecture buildings: Police Office (2009) and Public Service Hall (2012).

Museums and galleries

• Historical Museum Of Ozurgeti

  phone: +995 496 75827
  address: Chokhatauri Str
  The Historical Museum of Ozurgeti has been founded in 1936. Nowadays more than 6000 exhibits, from 9,000 BC until today, are stored in the museum. Numerous unique materials have been accumulated during 75 years in the founds of Ozurgeti Historical Museum, at list there are Neolithic stone weapons, produced 7000 years ago, Best models of Kolkhian culture from Early, Middle and Late Bronze age, collections of Kolkhian axes; burial ground stocks aged with Late Bronze- Early Iron period; Golden and silver things of Antique period: golden breastplate, the fragment of golden bracelet (both of them are beautified with Almandine crystal); silver dish, measuring-glass; The water pipes, heads of the columns, the thing for incense, glass of the window, the brick for building; diversified numismatic collections: Kolkhian Tetri of VI-III centuries BC, golden coin of Alexander Macedonian; the coins of georgian Kings; Silver, rare European coins; well-known Rapier of Napoleon, many historical photos, documentary materials.

• Ozurgeti fine art Gallery

  phone: +995 496 74542
  address: #6 Shota Rustaveli Str

• Ekvtime Takaishvili Archaeological Museum-Reserve

  phone: +995 590880118
  address: #8 9th April Str

Here are archaeological artifacts exhibited, as well as an exhibition on the life of Ektwmie Takaischwili can be seen. Museum is located in old Gurian type wooden house, with fireplace and balcony.

Parks and gardens

Ozurgeti is known for its gardens, some of them date back to XIX century. Scottish gardener Jacob Mar developed town garden in early 1810s fot his client Principal of Guria Mamia III Gurieli. That garden now is divided into three parts: is in front of Theater building and has access to free WI-Fi, platanus trees make a "მ" (M in Georgian Alphabet) shape; so called (triangle garden) is on the right side of the Theater building and has an open-air mini-football ground, there is, also, Statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian director, who was born in Ozurgeti and Ozurgeti dramatic Theater is named after him; and former , which is located in front of Dimitri Gurieli's palace. Slightly south of the park, a car-free area with a Soviet-era can be found.
Other parks are:

• Park of Culture and Resort

  phone: +995 551106194
  address: #2 Kostava Str
  Created in 1930, it covers about 3 hectares and is located in front of town hall building, #2 Kostava Str. It is used as Children's Amusement Park. There is free WI-Fi available
• , located in the center of town, below of Museum and Public Service Hall
• , located in the south of town, in Ekadia district. Forest-park was developed in 1960s, but now its not used. Good views of the town can be seen from the park

Around the town

• Shemokmedi MonasteryThis 12th-to-16th-century monastery is located on the hill in the eponymous village of Shemokmedi, about 7 km southeast of Ozurgeti. The monastery complex consists of two church buildings and a bell tower from the 16th century. The main church, a three-aisled basilica without cupola, was built in the 12th century. The walls are built of hewn stone, the floor is covered with marble. The second, smaller church called "zarzma" was built in the 16th century by the prince of Guria Vakhtang I. Gurieli as home to an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was one of the richest monasteries in Georgia. In the monastery there were several relics, such as very valuable icons, stored. Great views of Guria's villages can be seen from the hill.

• Jumati MonasteryThis 16th-to-18th-century monastery is located on the hill in the village of Jumati, 14 km north of Ozurgeti. The monastery consists of a basilica of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, a bell tower and a wall. The facility was built in the early Middle Ages, while the frescoes date from the 16th to 18th centuries. The bell tower with a square base was built in 1904 and is partially destroyed today. Jumati Monastery was an important religious and cultural center of Guria. Here valuable icons, relics and documents, some of which also had secular significance, were kept. In the 20th century the monastery was robbed several times. Fragments of several icons from Jumati are now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg, the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Beautiful views of Guria and Samegrelo lowlands of the Northwestern Georgia region and Black Sea can be seen from the hill.

• Likhauri fortressand These are in the village of Likhauri, 5 km south offrom Ozurgeti. The church is in the center of the village, while the fortress is to the west, on the hill. St. Mary's Church of Lichauri was built in the 12th century of carved stone. It has a free-standing bell tower. The fortress was built in the 12th century, allegedly by Queen Tamar, so it is also called the Fortress of Tamar.

• Church of AchiEarly medieval period. In the same village there is a one-nave hall church from the 13th-14th century. It has beautiful and well-preserved frescoes.

• (დვაბზუს ეკლესიები), one of them is dated in VI century and one in 1874. Churches have local cultural heritage site status.
• (ჭალის ეკლესია), a XIX century church ruins is located 5 km west from Ozurgeti and is considered as local cultural heritage site.

• VashnariHistoric city consists of remains of a basilica, a monastery and civic buildings dating back to the 4th century and is located near the village of Gurianta, 6km west of Ozurgeti.

• Askana fortressWith six-meter-high stone walls built in the 4th century. It is located in the village of Mtispiri, 16 km southeast of Ozurgeti

• Chanieturi Monastery

• (ჯიხეთის მონასტერი), a XIX century monastery, is located 40 km northeast from Ozurgeti
• (ერკეთის მონასტერი) was built in the 9th century and is located in village Erketi, 32km east from Ozurgeti.
• (უდაბნოს მონასტერი) consist from two churches, one of them is caved. Monastery is located in village Shua Amaghleba, 35 km northeast from Ozurgeti
• (ეგნატე ნინოშვილის მუზეუმი) is located in village Archeuli, 30 km north from Ozurgeti. Egnate NInoshvili was most famous Gurian writer, one of the leaders of social-democratic movement of late XIX century in Russian Empire. Museum is organized in an old house, where Ninoshvili was born
• and churches in Aketi. Village aketi is located 20km northeast from Ozurgeti. Saint George church was built in developed middle ages and Our Saviors church was built in 1899
• in Goraberezhouli, 25km northeast from Ozurgeti, is only remained secular sightseeing in Guria. The territory consists a garden, stone fence, and a palace. It is dated from XVII century.

• Chekhedana

  address: vill. Tskhrapona, Kobuleti Municipality
  Chekhedana church was built in 1609 by Mamia II Gurieli. The building was completely destroyed, then rebuilt in the 1990s.

• Mamukas Castle

  address: vill. Alambari, Kobuleti Municipality
  18th-century castle, which was owned by Mamuka Tavdgiridze, was destroyed in 1959 because of earthquake. Only its south wall is still standing.

• Khino

  address: vill. Khino, Kobuleti Municipality
  Khino Cathedral was one among three Eparchial Centers of Guria. Nowadays the village lies in Kintrishi Reserve.

Activities

• Enjoy the views from Ekadia ChurchThis Orthodox church built in 2015 is located on the hill in southern part of the town, where a Medieval Orthodox church used to stand. Excellent views of the town can be seen from there.

• Cycle around the town there are no bike rentals. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari.
• Swim in the rivers. If you are brave enough, swimming in the river Bzhuzhi in the southern part of the town during hot summer days makes you feel local.
• Fish in the small rivers such as Bzhizhi, Ochkhamura, Achi and Natanebi.

Festivals and performances

• Ozurgeti Dramatic Theatre

  phone: +995 496273373
  address: #1 Chavchavadze Str
  Nowadays the theater is only one working institution. The theatre hosts not only plays, but some concerts and performances as well. Information about upcoming events is available in front of the building on the information board.
• Alegro a city festival dates back from XIX century. Allegro takes place in the center of the town in early autumn, September or October
• Giorgi Salukvadze Ethnographic Festival, in which the neighboring countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan) participate, Is being held in the summertime

Sports

Despite Georgia's failure to score a major success since independence, football (soccer) remain the most popular sport in the country, and Ozurgeti as well. The town has two major sports clubs - Mertskhali (the swallow), which has the home ground (friendship) and Rugby club Piralebi (robbers), which has the home ground . Sports Season in Georgia lasts from September to May.

• Sports PalaceChampionships in some sports like Volleyball, Handball, indoor Hokey are being held here. Posters are available in the building facade.

• Chess clubChess and Checkers can be played here for free. Sometimes championships in chess are being held too.

Chess, Checkers, backgammon, also domino and card games are very common for Ozurgtei. You can find people sitting in yards and playing games. Feel free to join them, just avoid gambling.

There are two supermarkets in Ozurgeti: in the large shopping center on Guria Street and on Ekvtime Takaishvili Street. Locally made bread and pastry, named can be found on Gabriel Episkoposi Str., below the church. is near it.

• "Bazari"

  address: Guria Str
  An open-air market - among other things there are sold fruits, vegetables, clothing, meat, cheese.

• "Univermag"

  address: G, Chanturia Str.
  Old Soviet department store where is today Chinese rubbish mostly sold.

• Biblusi

  phone: +995 593100391
  address: 9th April Park
  a small book shop

• Nikora

  phone: +995 595305933
  address: #2 Gabriel Episkoposi Str
  A reasonably well-stocked supermarket chain

ATMs

Eating in Ozurgeti is very cheap. Prices per person may be vary from US$5-10. Do not buy wine in restaurants, its better to buy wine in a shop and take it in restaurant.
The best choices of food are Corn bread, cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, eggplant with nuts, barbecue, kebab, Khachapuri, Beef with potatoes (Ojakhuri), fried chicken in garlic (Shkmeruli).
The local khachapuri (cheese bread) speciality for this region is 'Guruli Khachapuri', a calzone-type pastry stuffed with typical Georgian sulguni cheese and boiled eggs. Positively delicious but potentially difficult to find, as it's traditionally a festive dish.

Cafes

• Rvas + 1

  phone: +995557602183
  address: #3a Gabriel Episkoposi Str
  Cafe has internet and library, is adapted for disabled people.

• Khachapuri House

  address: #2 Chavchavadze Str
  Cafe where Georgian national khachapuri and pizzas are sold.

• Shawarma Hub

  phone: +995 514 06 39 39
  address: Aghmashenebeli Str
  Offers only Shawarma (Kebab). Café has delivery service

• Tiramisu

  address: #2 Chavchavadze Str
  Cafe and cake shop.

Restaurants

• Natakhtari

  phone: +995 790 324 355
  address: Chavchavadze Str
  Georgian cuisine, beer on tap.

• Kalakuri

  phone: +995592757878
  address: #2 Gabriel Episkoposi Str
  An Asiatic restaurant, with live music at evenings.

• Tonus

  phone: +995 496 276035, +995 496 273833
  address: #25 Akaki Tsereteli Str
  Slightly away from the center, restaurant Tonusi has its own brewery. The building is a jewel of Soviet industrial architecture. Beer on tap is sold outside, also.

• Gurge

  phone: +995 591239320
  address: #25 Gabriel Episkoposi Str
  Restaurants interior is covered with old items, wooden furniture and photographs from the 19th century depicting life in Ozurgeti.

• Pirosmani

  address: Guramishvili Str
  Restaurant with Georgian cuisine.

• Piralebi

  address: Apolon Tsuladze Str
  Traditional Gurian style restaurant, Georgian cuisine.

• Gurulebis Ezo

  phone: +995 555327724
  address: #8 Guria Str
  You will find here a pleasant and warm atmosphere and delicious Georgian cuisine, specifically Gurian dishes. The restaurant offers delivery service and its own parking place.

If you get invited in someones house, your host may also offer you Georgian "chacha," an outrageously potent vodka distilled from grapes.

• Wine House

  address: Bolkvadze Str
  A well-stocked wine shop is located opposite the train station.

• TRAP lounge

  phone: +995 551703001
  address: #4 Chavchavadze Str
  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks. Payments with Visa, American Express, MasterCard and cash. Take away service.

• Terrace Pub

  phone: +995 599 30 04 05
  address: #9 Dolidze Str

There is only one hotel in Ozurgeti and some guesthouses. Guesthouses are a good option for budget travelers. They are clean, safe and cheap, as well as giving the opportunity to meet local people. A wide range of accommodation are available in the beach resort towns Ureki and Kobuleti, where, however, many businesses are closed during winter.

• S A M

  phone: +995 496261126
  address: #25 Guramishvili Str
  Opened in 2015, this is the only hotel in Ozurgeti.

• Guesthouse

  phone: +995 593154345
  address: Dimitri Bakradze Str

• Guesthouse

  phone: +995 496275411
  address: #55a David Aghmashenebeli Str

• Guesthouse

  phone: +995 496273499

• Guesthouse

  phone: +995 496275411
  address: Dimitri Eristavi Str

• Guesthouse

  phone: +995 599787516
  address: Gagma Dvabzu
  Very nice guesthouse with rural activities is located outside of town, in village Dvabzu.

Gurians speak much more quickly than average Georgians from other regions, so it is more complicated to understand them. The older generation speaks Russian fluently, and Armenian as well. The younger generation now studies English. Almost every school in Ozurgeti has a native English-speaking teacher. There are some US and European volunteers who speak English as well. When in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English.

There are no universities in the town. Only one operates. Wide range of driving schools is in Ozurgeti. It seems easyer to get driver's license in Ozurgeti then in other towns in Georgia.

Working time in Ozurgeti starts at 09:00 or 10:00 and end at 16:00–18:00. Locals like to take an hour lunch break and enjoy their food while socializing with their co-workers. Approaches to punctuality used to be very relaxed. Summer (late July-August) and January are months when people take two weeks or a whole month off work to enjoy vacationing with family. A local wage in Ozurgeti will typically be around 300–400 lsri a month, with only a small section of public servants making in the range of 800–1000 lari a month.
Foreigners working in Ozurgeti are employed as volunteers. There are volunteers from the US Peace Corps and EVS (European Volunteering Service) volunteers from Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. These volunteers mostly work for the NGOs Young Pedagogues Union, Guria Youth Resource Center and Student Youth Council.

Free wireless internet is available in the Platanus garden and Culture and Resort Park, free internet is avialable in Public Service Hall, also.

• USAID Center for Civic Engagement

  phone: +995 598538571
  address: #14 Chavchavadze Str
  Free Internet, desktop computers, wireless Internet, skype and headsets.

• Internet Cafe

  address: #4 Rustaveli Str
  Windows XP, slow connection, skype, webcams and headsets

• Internet Cafe

  address: #2 Chavchavadze Str
  Windows XP, skype, webcams and headsets

• Georgian Post Service Center

  address: #2 Gogebashvili Str
  The Postal Code of Ozurgeti is 3500.

There are 3 GSM operators of mobile phone service: Magticom, Geocell and Beeline. Their offices are near each other on the Chavchavadze Str.

Ozurgeti is very safe for travelers. the crime rate is among the lowest in Europe. Most of the streets are illuminated at night. Police cars patrol the streets in the town and can help with any problem. Call 112 in any case of emergency (police, ambulance, fire).

• Police

  phone: +995 496275342
  address: #5 Chavchavadze Str

Tap water is good for drinking in Ozurgeti. Ozurgeti has one of the best tap water among Georgia's cities.
You will find many gyms in the town. One of them is on the second floor of shopping mall on Eristavi Street, called My Fitness. Monthly ticket costs 70 lari. Olympic House is located on 26 Rustaveli Street. Monthly ticket costs 60 lari. There is a gym in Sports Palace is on the second floor. Ticket costs 50 lari and covers 12 visit to the gym. You can work out in Park of Culture and Resort, where open-air training equipment is available.
Modernized hospital is located on the "Seri" hill and is seen from the town center.
There are four pharmacies open 24/7, in front of "Bazari", GPC, PSP, Impex and Aversi.

There is no tourist office or travel agency in Ozurgeti. Nearest tourist offices are available in Ureki and Kobuleti, but only during summer.

• Public Service Hall

  address: #9 Petritsi Str

• Town Hall

  phone: +995 496274740
  address: #1 Kostava Str

In Guria

There are plenty of buses and minibuses to neighboring villages (generally 0.5-2 lari). Buses and minibuses leave from central bus station in the south part of the town, or from the station on Aghmashenebeli Str, near big roundabout. The best destination may include
;villages and rural tourism:

• Shemokmedi
• Likhauri
• Aketi
• Mtispiri

;Mountain resorts

• Bakhmaro (only in summer)
• Gomismta (only in summer)
• Nasakirali
• Nabeghlavi

;beach resorts (only in summer)

• Ureki
• Grigoleti
• Shekvetili

Other regions

Outside of the Guria region, popular destinations may include Kobuleti and Batumi. There are plenty minibuses, they leave in every hour from 8AM to 5PM to Batumi. Travel to Batumi costs 5 lari, to Kobuleti - 3 lari.