The Dadiani Palace and Nikalakevi

Duration of the tour: 1 day

Departure from Kutaisi

Distance from Kutaisi: 177 km

Places:

1.The Dadiani Palace

The Dadiani Palace is in Zugdidi and belonged to the former Dukes of Samegrelo. In 1850 Prince David Dadiani opened a museum in the palace, which housed a collection of ancient stone-age items, European military weapons of the Middle Ages, paintings and fine works of art. In 1921 a museum was founded in the palace, housing more than 50 000 rare exhibits, among them there is a death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte.

2.Nokalakevi

Nokalakevi is a truly fascinating place. Literally meaning “the place where a town was”. According to Georgian History, the fortress was built by Kuji- Duce of Egrisi and Svaneti in the 3rd century BC. It is thought to be the mythological city of Aia-capital of the kingdom of Colchis, and home of the fabled Golden Fleece. Archeological excavations have found several different layers of civilization in the Nokalakevi territory. The oldest layer dates back to the 8th-7th centuries BC. Various valuable items have been unearthed here, including wine vessels; golden, silver, bronze and glass adornments; diverse pottery and ceramic objects. The ruins of ancient places, Christian churches, baths and tunnels have also been identified and preserved.