Telavi, Medieval city in Kakheti region, Georgia
Telavi is a city in eastern Kakheti situated at 722 meters elevation in the foothills of the Tsiv-Gombori Range. A royal palace with fortification walls that span multiple periods of Georgian construction defines the city's character.
The city began as a Bronze Age settlement and became the capital of Kakheti Kingdom in the 10th century. It reached peak prosperity under King Erekle II in the 18th century.
The royal palace's underground galleries display traditional crafts and wine production tools from the Kakheti region. These objects show how wine cultivation shaped local life and trade across generations.
Two highways link Telavi with Tbilisi, with the journey taking around two hours by car through mountain roads. Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to explore on foot since the terrain has steep sections.
The city holds four intact fortification structures from different historical periods within one compound. These buildings rarely get highlighted but show how various Georgian dynasties expanded their defenses over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
