Likhi, the same Surami range divides Georgia in two parts – Western and Eastern Georgia. Here passes the main expressway of the nation s-1 (E60/E97), as well as Tsipi railway and Rikoti auto tunnels. On the Southern slopes of the range, several km away to the South-West from Khashuri is situated health and spa resort of Surami. Surami presumably was founded in II c. BC Since the Antique times, during centuries, thanks to convenient geographic location, Surami has been a point and important town on the ancient trade route – Great Silk Road. Caravan routes rising from Kartli, Imereti and Samtskhe merged here. In XII-XIII cc. Surami was the seat of Kartli Eristavi (Ruler) while Surami Fortress was the Ruler’s defense facility and strategic fortification. From the end of XIX century (since 1872) across territory of Surami has run Poti-Tbilisi railway line which lost its function after construction of a tunnel under Surami slope. Today railway line is used for local transit only. Surami is children profile resort. Its natural treatment factors are dry, subtropical air and deciduous forest spreading around the resort on 120 ha mixed with embedded coniferous forest tract. There are also many mineral water springs in the settlement. As a resort Surami has gained its name since the end of the XIX century. During Turkish-Russian war several military hospitals were operated here. It was discovered then that Surami climate had a positive impact on patients who had malaria. Step-by-step Surami became a popular haunt. Since 1948 it gained the status of a resort of local

importance where several sanatoria and rest-houses were operated. It is worth mentioning that in 1938 children’s orphanage was

opened in Surami where 300-400 children who lost parents in the Second World War found their shelter.

 

1. Surami Fortress. XI c. Located on the bank of river Suramula, in the Southern part of the settlement. Complex includes wall, fortress, tower, palace and St. George Church dating XI-XII cc. As every Fortress this fortification also had a secret tunnel, leading into the depth of 12-16 m and connected with river Suramula. The Surami Fortress was one of the important reinforced facilities in the nation and mentioned in the Annals as a ‘Strong Tower’. The Fortress is in the heart of a legend telling that omnipotence of the Fortress derives from the young man who was the only offspring buried alive in the walls of the Fortress. According to the hearsay, from the wall where Zurab was buried even now mother’s crystal-clear tears leak drop-by-drop.

 

Location: foot-hill of Southern slope of Likhi range

Distance: 7 km away from Khashuri, 50 km away from Gori, 115 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 750 m

Landscape: hillocky

Climate: moderately continental, winter cold, nearly no snow, mean temperature in January -9 degrees; summer warm, mean temperature in August 20,2 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 781 mm

Average comparative annual humidity: 70%

Duration of annual sunny light: 2300 h.

Natural treatment factors: low mountain climate and slightly sulfide hydro-carbonate, magnesium-sodium mineral waters with general mineralization 0,6 g/dm3, 68 mg/ dm3 containing silicon acid

Types of therapy: passive climate therapy and mineral water baths

Diseases for treatment: chronic diseases of bones, functional disorders of peripheral nervous system, skin, cardiovascular and nervous system