20 minutes from the city
Gelati Monastery
Founded by King David IV the Builder in 1106. A guide is well worth it here: the complex comes alive through its stories, frescoes and details.
01 · Introduction
A big city
with a small centre
We had passed through Kutaisi many times — on the way to its famous canyons and caves, to Borjomi and to the airport. Then one winter weekend finally gave us a reason to stop and see the city itself.
The first thing you notice is the near absence of high-rise buildings. The city stretches over 78 km², yet its centre is so compact that a local guide laughed when we asked for a sightseeing tour: “Walk around for a couple of hours and you’ll see it all.”
“Kutaisi is an introvert’s paradise. You can work in peace, live in a private house and slowly gather a little dust.”
