Kutaisi: The Jewish Quarter and the Pantheon

Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in Transcaucasia. In different periods it served as the capital of successive kingdoms in Georgia: Colchis, Iberia (Kartli), Abkhazia and Imereti. At the same time, it is one of the most underrated tourist cities in Georgia. Tbilisi is the capital and Paris of the East, Batumi is a seaside resort, Telavi is the center of wine-growing Kakheti, and Kutaisi is most often considered only as a hub for entering / leaving the country. Although sightseeing Kutaisi and its surroundings can easily take a week - and you will not get bored.

Kutaisi has a Jewish quarter with three synagogues and is unique in Georgia. This tour passes through its narrow streets, and we will talk about the history of Jewish communities in Georgia and Kutaisi. The exact time of the Jews' arrival in Kutaisi is unknown, but the first historical document related to their presence dates back to 1644. Most Jews in Kutaisi were engaged in trade and crafts, which significantly revitalized the economic life of the city. In Georgia, from the close coexistence of the two peoples, a separate language called Kuvruli appeared - a mixture of Hebrew and Georgian, and the people who spoke it were called Georgian Jews.

I will tell you what versions exist regarding when Jews appeared on the territory of Georgia, whether the relations between the local population and the Jewish diaspora were always good-neighborly, how many Jewish families live in Kutaisi today, who Boris Gaponov is and why the central street of the quarter is named after him.

Loosing along the streets and alleys, going into quiet courtyards, for conversations about the life and fate of Kutaisi Jews, we will go up to the monastery of Mtsvane Kvavila, where there is a small Kutaisi Pantheon - a cemetery of famous residents of the city. I will tell you some of the most striking biographies, show you a picturesque observation deck and advise you where else you can go to Kutaisi.