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The Bagrati Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Dormition, is an 11th-century cathedral located in Kutaisi, Georgia. The cathedral has been the subject of controversy due to its full-scale restoration and subsequent delisting from the World Heritage List. The restoration works on the cathedral began in the 1950s and has been a point of contention, with experts expressing concerns about the impact of the reconstruction on the cathedral's outstanding universal value and authenticity. The controversy surrounding the restoration and delisting of the Bagrati Cathedral has garnered significant attention and has been the subject of academic analysis. // This is the stage in 1999, and for the comparison I took the liberty to use a newer photo by hourglass . Another photo of the same by Peter Ashton

The Glory to Labour Monument is an abstract monument located in the center of Kutaisi, Georgia. It was created by sculptors E. Amashukeli and I. Bastanashvili and completed in 1980. The monument is an example of Soviet-era architecture and art, and it is considered a former USSR monument dedicated to the working people of Georgia and celebrates their contributions to the country's development. The artwork is made of bronze and marble and is located in a public square in the center of Kutaisi, being a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city's history and culture. (It is worth noting that the monument should not be confused with the Glory Memorial, which was a different monument located in Kutaisi that was dedicated to the memory of those who died during World War II and was demolished in 2009 to make way for a new parliament building.)

Gelati Monastery is a medieval monastic complex founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia on a wooded hill above the river Tskaltsitela, near Kutaisi. The main church of the monastery, known as the Church of Virgin the Blessed, was completed in 1130 in the reign of David's son and successor Demetré. The monastery is one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, distinguished for its harmony with its natural setting and a well thought-out overall planning concept. Gelati Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia.

The Gelati Monastery in Georgia is known for its vivid and intricate murals, including depictions of Hell. The wall paintings inside the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin is a multi-layered ensemble, and from the original decoration, only the mosaic in the sanctuary conch and the murals of the narthex have survived. The majority of the wall paintings in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin were executed after 1510, and the murals were commissioned by the Kings of Imereti in the 1520s, 1550s, and between 1560 and 1578. The Gelati Monastery is a masterpiece of the architecture of the “Golden Age” of Georgia and the best representative of its architectural style.

The Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi is located on a hill, providing a beautiful view of the city, the Racha mountain range, and the Rioni River. Visitors can enjoy the view of Kutaisi from the area around the cathedral, which is also suitable for a picnic. The cathedral is one of the main hallmarks of Kutaisi and is considered one of the four Great Cathedrals of Georgia. It is a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture and started a new era in the early medieval history of Georgian temple architecture. The cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III, to commemorate the unification of Georgia. The temple was partially ruined for centuries and was restored in 2012, mainly preserving the original image and style of the building.

today: www.google.com/maps/@42.2765008,42.704575,3a,75y,154.48h,91.36t/data=!3m11!1e1!3m9!1sAF1QipPKBqYhpPkBwd_b3nbXKhQhP8J0pJVbZNzqjyt0!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPKBqYhpPkBwd_b3nbXKhQhP8J0pJVbZNzqjyt0%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya162.40157-ro-0-fo100!7i7168!8i3584!9m2!1b1!2i49?entry=ttu

In the XVII century, the missionaries of the Franciscan Order of Friars also known as the Capuchins arrived in Kutaisi and settled on the left bank of the River Rioni. Later, the territory was called the French Quarter. At the beginning of the 19th century, King Solomon II commissioned Catholic missionaries and granted them a place to build a Catholic Church in 1862. (It is currently the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation).

This is the staff of a family restaurant where we took our breakfast treat, khachapuri and tea. I am wondering if this cafe still exist. Probably not, but I am curious to hear from the Kutaisians.

from ruined Bagrati Cathedral

The Lado Meskhishvili Professional State Drama Theatre, also known as Meskhishvili Theatre, is a cultural gem located in Kutaisi, Georgia. The theatre has a rich history that dates back 100 years, and it was built in the 1950s. The theatre is located in the city's central square, which makes it a prominent landmark that overlooks the square. The theatre hosts a variety of performances, including plays based on the works of famous writers such as Gilbert Cesbron. The theatre is not only a great place to enjoy a performance, but it is also a beautiful building that is worth a visit just to admire its architecture and location in the central square of Kutaisi. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the theatre to learn more about its history and significance. The Meskhishvili Theatre is an important cultural institution in Kutaisi and a must-see for lovers of the theatrical arts. -- by perplexity.ai

The Rioni River is the longest river entirely within the borders of Georgia, with a length of 327 kilometers (203 miles). It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha, and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti (near ancient Phasis). The city of Kutaisi, which was once the ancient city of Colchis, is located on its banks. The Rioni River drains the whole western Transcaucasus into the Black Sea, while the river Kura drains the eastern Transcaucasus into the Caspian Sea.

Ureki black sand is a unique type of sand found on the shores of Ureki, a beach town on the Black Sea coast of Georgia. The sand is of volcanic origin and is black in color due to the presence of iron, titanium, and other minerals. The negative ions present in the sand are said to have a calming effect and can be beneficial for people with respiratory problems, allergies, and skin diseases. Many resorts and hotels in the area offer treatments and therapies using Ureki black sand. Apart from its healing properties, Ureki black sand is also a popular tourist attraction due to its striking black color and the beautiful scenery of the Black Sea coast.

Ietim Gurji (Georgian: იეთიმ გურჯი, meaning "Georgian orphan" in Turkish and Azeri, real name: Ietim Ibrahim Dabghishvili (Georgian: იეთიმ იბრაიმის ძე დაბღიშვილი), (1875 in Tbilisi – 15 July 1940) was a Georgian poet. He wrote in Georgian, Armenian and Azeri languages. His poetry mainly was distributed orally, by songs, which he created and performed himself. Main motifs of his poetry were the lives of late 19th and early 20th century Old Tbilisi bohemians, along with workers, peasants and petite bourgeoisie.

The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Zion, is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia. It is situated in historic Sionis Kucha (Sioni Street), with its eastern façade fronting the right embankment of the Kura River. The cathedral was initially built in the 6th and 7th centuries, but it has been destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times since then. The current church is based on a 13th-century version with some changes from the 17th to 19th centuries. It is a typical example of medieval Georgian church architecture of an inscribed cross-in-square design with projecting polygonal apses in the east façade. The main entrance is on the west side, and the dome with the tholobate is a prominent feature of the cathedral. The Sioni Cathedral was the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral and the seat of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2004. The cathedral is commonly known as the "Tbilisi Sioni" to distinguish it from several other churches across Georgia bearing the name Sioni. It is a cross-domed temple dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also serves as a burial ground for many notable religious figures. Visitors can appreciate the exterior and interior of the cathedral, which are decorated in the orthodox style. -- Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi -- Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral - Wikipedia -- Sioni Cathedral | Georgian Travel Guide

Shalva Konstantinovich Chikhladze was a Soviet light-heavyweight wrestler from Georgia who won a silver medal in the Greco-Roman light-heavyweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He was born on July 12, 1912, in Kutaisi (Georgia/Russian Empire}, and died on January 14, 1997, in Tbilisi (Georgia). Chikhladze became interested in wrestling in 1920 when he saw Georgian professional wrestler Nikolay “Kolya” Kvariani, who was also born in Kutaisi. He started training in a club in 1930 when he moved from Kutaisi to Tbilisi. In 1935 he moved to Moscow and placed second at the Soviet championships; He won the championships in 1936 and finished third in 1937 and 1941. During World War II, he was wounded in action near Kaluga in late 1941. Later he collected three more Soviet wrestling titles in 1946, 1949, and 1950, and was selected for the 1952 Olympics, despite being 40 years old. Chikhladze won a silver medal, losing the final to Kelpo Gröndahl 1:2, and retired from competitions. Later he coached wrestlers in his native Georgia. The plaque is at the Heroes Square (63 Merab Kostava St,), Tbilisi, Georgia