Nakalakevi

Nakalakevi (literal meaning "ruins where a town was") is one of the most important archeological sites in West Georgia. The fortified administrative centre was a capital of the west Georgian kingdoms of Colchis, and Egrisi-Lazika at various times - the land of the mythical Golden Fleece, Medea and Jason and the Argonauts legend.

The ancient settlement was constructed on the edge of the Colchian plain on a high ridge beside the River Tekhuri. The acropolis atop the escarpment commands fine views south and east across the plain and northwards into the mountains. Walls running down the mountainside connect it to a lower town enclosed by a loop of the river as it exits the mountains via a narrow gorge. On the east side of the town, unprotected by nature, successive rulers built three parallel defensive walls with towers and a strongly fortified gate. Several churches, two bath-houses, two 'palaces' and other standing and buried remains of the 4th to 6th century are set within these fortifications.                                                                                                                   

Artefactual finds have demonstrated that the site was inhabited in the 2nd millennium BC, but the earliest urban remains discovered thus far date the settlement back to the 8th century BC. The majority of the visible structures were built between the 4th to the 8th centuries AD when Nokalakevi functioned as the capital of Lazika (the medieval successor kingdom to ancient Colchis in western Georgia).

Ceramic statues of various animals (sheep, pigs, horses) (dated VIII-VII centuries B.C), imported pottery, ground and pot-burials of Hellenistic period were found in Nokalakevi. This finds were diverse, such as: beads, rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, which are made of gold, silver, bronze, glass, paste and etc. There are also found the rich ceramic materials. Among them the most important ones are the amphorae.

Day 1: Drive from Tbilisi to Zugdidi (Samegrelo, West Georgia). Zugdidi sights, dinner at local restaurant, return to Senaki, overnight at a family hotel.

Day 2: Departure to Nakalakevi (Arqeopolis of BC and early medieval centuries). Visit to the archeological sites. Picnic in an open air. Return to Tbilisi.

Highlights: Zugdidi – The Dadians Palace                                                                                                        Khobi – Church (XII century)

Price includes:

• Transportation
• Meals
• Guide
• Family hotel accommodation