Mountain side of Aspindza municipality is located in the Eastern part of Akhaltsikhe hollow surrounded by slopes of Trialeti and Erusheti mountains. On the altitude of 1200-1800 m above sea level, relief here is definately fissiparous representing lifted plain-like terraces, hills and hillocks and mounts of volcanic origin. Historically, municipality territory was crossed by important trade transit routes. Sobriquet of the townlet, ‘Aspindza’, also derives from this narrative, in Persian it means ‘Hotel on the highway’, ‘Station on the way’. Center of the municipality, townlet of Aspindza, is famous for its several type slightly mineralized, thermal (33-42 degrees) waters having positive impact on musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems. Therapeutic thermal waters have many other outlets on the territory of the municipality. Nakalakevi (1100-1150 m) was a famous resort and its ‘Essentuki’-kind thermal (33 degrees) water was used for

treatment of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases as well as gynecological and skin pathologies. Vardzia is also rich with mineral waters though it is more famous for its unique complex of cave monastery dating to XII-XIIIcc. Making artificial cave stations in Georgia became a time-honored tradition. Naturally, in historical Meskheti where local residents for centuries were disturbed by foreign invaders, such fortifications with secret caches and exits were widely distributed. In many places of Southern Georgia we can see monuments of rock cut architecture, like Tavkvetula, Vani (Vahani) Kvabebi, Oloda, Gelsunda, Baiebi… But, of course, they have smaller profile.

 

1. Villages of Saro and Khizabavra, located 17 km from Aspindza in the South-Eastern direction, presumably were big urban type settlements of Hellinistic or even earlier age. Saro territory preserved also a complex of fortresses and towers of middle Bronze Age. In Khizabavra preserved for us typical for Southern Georgia ground terraces for agricultural purposes where grapes was grown in not so distant past. A catholic church of XIX c. stands in the village. Most of the local population follows this denomination of Catholicism.

2. In 2007 medieval Khertvisi Fortress along with Vardzia was submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are many cultural heritage monuments on the territory of Aspindza municipality. Other than rock cut towns there are many fortress-towers and churches among which should be noted Tmogvi Fortress, Khertvisi, Shoreti, Ota Fortress, Vani (Vahani) Kvabebi, Oshora Church, Varneti, Tsunda, Kokhtastavi, Beriskhevi, Bertakana, Karzameti, Alandza, Gaveti, Zeda Vardzia, Zeda Tmogvi, Chikhorisi and others.

 

Location: slope of Trialeti range, gorge of river Mtkvari

Distance: 240 km away from Tbilisi (via Akhaltsikhe), 230 km via Ninotsminda (Javakheti road)

Sea level: 1050-1060 m

Landscape: mountainous

Climate: middle mountain (lower belt), winter moderately cold, snowy, mean temperature in January -2,2 degrees centigrade; summer warm and dry, mean temperature in August 20,3 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 520 mm

Average comparative annual humidity: 64%

Annual average number of sunlight hours: 2100 h.

Natural treatment factor: climate of middle mountain lower belt and thermal, slightly sulfide, sulphuric-chloride, sodiumcalcium

mineral waters with silicon acid (40-45 mg/dm3) content and general mineralization 0,8-1,0 g/dm3

Types of therapy: mineral water baths, passive climate therapy

Diseases for treatment: musculoskeletal, skin and peripheral nervous system, as well as gynecological diseases