Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

Best of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Essentials

Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti offer a concentrated look at Georgia’s high-altitude heritage and natural landscapes. The region is home to the 11th-century Nikortsminda Cathedral, famous for its stone masonry, and the 19th-century Oni Synagogue. Natural features include the expansive Shaori Reservoir and the 2,623-meter Zagaro Pass, which connects Lentekhi to Ushguli. Local history is preserved in the museums of Oni and Tsageri, while the ruins of Mindatsikhe Castle overlook the Rioni River valley.

Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Essentials — Map

A

Nikortsmindis monasteri

An 11th-century cathedral renowned for its exterior stone carvings and 16th-century interior frescoes. It represents the Golden Age of Georgian architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage tentative list site.

SusanAstray / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Oni Synagogue

The Oni Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 53 Vakhtang VI Street in Oni, in the Racha region of…

C

Shaori Reservoir

The largest lake in Racha, situated at 1,100 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and the Nakerala mountain range, creating a distinct microclimate.

D

Barakoni Ghvtismshobeli Church

Barakoni Church of the Mother of God, commonly known as Barakoni, is an Orthodox church in Georgia, near the town of Ambrolauri, in the…

E

Zagaro pass (2623 m (6-10))

A high-altitude mountain pass reaching 2,623 meters. It serves as the primary unpaved link between the Lentekhi district in Kvemo Svaneti and Ushguli in Upper Svaneti.

F

Tskhrajvari

A peak on the Nakerala ridge featuring a small shrine. The site offers 360-degree views of the Shaori Reservoir, the Rioni valley, and the distant peaks of the Greater Caucasus.

G

Rachkhas channchkeri

A multi-tiered waterfall located in the Lechkhumi region near the village of Isunderi, accessible via a short hiking trail.

H

Racha museum

Located in Oni, this museum displays over 15,000 artifacts, including Bronze Age tools, medieval weaponry, and ethnographic textiles specific to the Racha mountain region.

I

Mindatsikhe Castle

The ruins of a medieval fortress that once served as the primary residence for the Eristavi (Dukes) of Racha. It is strategically positioned on a hill overlooking the Rioni and Lukhuni rivers.

J

Tsageri History Museum

A local repository for the Lechkhumi region, housing archaeological finds such as Bronze Age Colchian axes, ancient coins, and 19th-century historical documents.