Geguti

Geguti is a royal palace ruin from the medieval period situated on the banks of the Rioni River. The complex sprawls across a large area displaying remnants of stone walls, brick construction, and the remains of a central dome supported by squinches.

The palace was built during the reign of King George III in the mid-12th century, replacing an earlier simpler structure. Multiple construction phases are evident from the different materials used in the remains, indicating gradual expansion over time.

The palace layout reveals how medieval Georgian rulers organized their lives, with spaces for governance and family quarters integrated into a single structure. The brick construction and room arrangement reflect a period when such buildings served both as homes and symbols of power.

The site is located south of Kutaisi and features a glass installation that displays the original form of the structure around the ruins. Visitors can view the remains from different angles and compare the reconstructed form with the actual walls.

Archaeological digs in the mid-20th century uncovered that the palace developed through distinct building phases, each using different materials such as river stones, limestone, and various brick types. This layering in the walls tells the story of the structure's adaptation and growth across multiple decades.