Near the confluence of rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi, on the magnificent site, between Saguramo, Skhaltba and Satskepela slopes ancient capital of the kingdom of Kartli, Mtskheta is situated. Throughout the centuries it was the most important transit hub on the crossroads of Western Georgia, Meskheti, Armenia, Albania and Northern Caucasus; today Mtskheta and its environs is a town-museum which is the home of up to 270 cultural heritage monuments of various periods. In 2009 this ancient town was included in the UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage Sites. In 1946, was founded Saguramo Preserve (5300 ha) to the North-East of Mtskheta, on the Saguramo slope, aiming at protection, research and reproduction of multifarious Colchis-type plants distributed on the territory of the municipality (beech, hornbeam, oak, elm, maple, pear and others). Such rare species of fauna as Caucasus deer, roe deer and lynx have made their habitat here. In 2007 Saguramo Preserve became part of Tbilisi National Park. Preserve is an important recreational zone. There are several resort areas on the contiguous territory, including: Saguramo, Karsani, Zedazeni, Tsitsamuri, Tserovani… Proximity to the Preserve, natural and geographic conditions and climate parameters are the reason of high curing and preventive properties of this resort area. Taking into consideration close touch of municipality with Tbilisi, for the residents of the capital each and every of this settlement is a convenient dacha hideout.

 

1. Gold necklace with almandine and turquoise stones. II-III cc. Armaziskhevi (one of the districts of Old Mtskheta). Armaziskhevi was residence of Eristavi (Rulers) of Kartli. In 1937-1946, as a result of archeological excavations, burial sites, ruins of the Eristavi Palace Complex, bathhouse, remnants of aqueduct, ceramic shop and wine cellar as well as bilinguals in Greek and Aramaic dating back to

late Bronze Age and early Iron Age and late Antique and Feudal periods were discovered in Armaziskhevi.

2. Shiomgvime — medieval monastic complex located in the Saguramo Preserve.

3. Village of Karsani is located in the small gorge near the confluence of rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi, on the Eastern slope of Trialeti range. The length of the gorge is seven km but the difference of levels between beginning and end of the gorge exceeds 500 m that is the cause

of vegetation diversity there. Karsani is the oldest village: kings of Iberia extended Karsani to the Jewish community persecuted by Nebuchadnezzar. In 1904 Division of Tbilisi Geophysics Observatory was founded in Karsani (since 1935 Observatory was moved to Dusheti). It is this period that preserved remarkable building in the village where secret laboratory was housed during the Second World War. Since 50-ies the building has hosted a base point of archeological expedition of Armaziskhevi-Bagineti- Karsani. Later on, given the profile of the resort, a hospital for TB patients was operated in Karsani.

 

Location: gorge of river Aragvi, slopes of Saguramo range

Distance: 8 km away from Mtskheta, 20 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 600 m

Landscape: hillocky

Climate: low mountain climate, winter mild, with little snow, mean temperature in January -1 degrees; summer warm, dry, mean temperature in August 22 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 700 mm

Average comparative annual humidity: 74%

Duration of annual sunny light: 2200 h.

Natural treatment factors: passive climate therapy

Diseases for treatment: cardiovascular and respiratory system diseases as well as functional and other diseases of nervous system – neurosis, neurasthenia, migraine, progressive muscle dystrophy.