Author's tour in the footsteps of the family of princes Dadiani

Welcome to the author's tour "In the footsteps of the princes Dadiani". It is advisable to start the tour from the city of Kutaisi or from the coast of the country. A few words about the princes of Mengrelia: There were two Dadiani houses:

The Dadiani of the first dynasty ruled until 1691. of the same origin with the rulers of the Principality of Guria. Their descendants went to Russia and are known under the name Dadianov. The Dadiani of the Second Dynasty, from the house of Chikovani, ruled from 1691 to 1866. Until the dissolution of the Georgian principality. The last ruler from the dynasty was the daughter of Alexander Chavchavadze – Ekaterina Chavchavadze-Dadiani. The tomb of Dadiani of the first dynasty served as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Tsalendzhikha, and the second cathedral in Martvili. The descendants of Kation I owned Mingrelia until 1803, when Prince Gregory Dadiani accepted Russian citizenship as a vassal. In 1867, Prince Nikolai Dadiani finally ceded his rights to Mengrelia to Russia, and received the title of Lordship and the surname of Prince Mengrelian for himself and the eldest in the family of his descendants; his brother Andrei received the surname of Prince Dadiani-Mengrelian; the younger descendants of the kn. Nicholas of Mengrel and all descendants Kn. Andrei Dadiani-Mingrelian retains the name of the princes Dadiani, which is also worn by many other branches of this genus.

The main palace of the family is the palace in the city of Zugdidi, but it does not lie in our way today.

In the village of Gordi, Prince Levan built his summer residence, which is now one of the most famous canyons on the Okatse River. People come here from different countries of the world to walk 7 km of walking way or by car to reach the canyon and 1.2 km of them on hinged bridges to walk over the conyon.

Not far from the Okatse canyon there is a fabulous place called Kinchha Falls - these are two waterfalls that create a unique nature and microzone. On the white beds flows azure river, which in a free fall of more than 100 m creates the waterfall Kinchha.

The next place to visit is the Monastery of Martvili, which houses the tomb of the Dadiani family. Here is buried sister Nino Chavchavadze – Ekaterina Chavchavadze – Dadiani. The temple was built in the 7th century and this is the place where the great Georgian king David the Builder spent his childhood. Here the project of the Gelati monastery and academy in Kutaisi was born. Near the town of Martvili is the Martvili Canyon or as in Georgian it is called Gochkadili Canyon. On the emerald river it is possible to ride boats and walk along the famous path to the bathing places of Catherine Dadiani.

The main attraction of the Mengrel region is the cuisine. You will have the opportunity to taste the amazing wine of Ojaleshi and enjoy the Mengrel table, Mengrel hospitality and delicious dishes!

The cost of the tour:

Car from 1 to 3 people – $220

2010 Mercedes Vito 1-6 people – $250

2019 Mercedes Metris - $320

Mercedes Sprinter 1-15 people – $450

The cost of the tour includes:

• Guide services

• Transportation

In addition, the following are paid:

• Entrance tickets
• Martvili Canyon – 35 lari with boats
• Okatse Canyon – 17.25 lari per person
• Okatse Falls – 17.25 GEL per person
• Additional Jeep on Okatse Canyon - 100 GEL per car
• Nutrition