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Visit West Georgia – Samegrelo region We arrive in Zugdidi. We meet our guide and visit The Dadiani Palace. It is a Georgian national museum located in Zugdidi, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The Dadiani Palaces History and Architecture Museum is considered to be one of the most eminent palaces in Caucasus. The first exhibition, of archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Nakalakevi was prepared by Megrelian prince David Dadiani and took place in 1840. Three palaces form the modern museum complex, parts of which are also Blachernae Virgin Church and Zugdidi Botanical Garden. The Dadiani Palaces History and Architecture Museum houses some exhibits of natural cultural heritage of Georgia – Tagiloni treasure materials, Mother of God holy vesture, the icon of queen Bordokhan – mother of queen Tamar of Georgia, manuscripts from 13th – 14th centuries, miniatures, memorial relics of Dadiani dynasty, and objects connected to emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte – brought to the palace by the husband of David Dadiani's daughter, prince Achille Murat, grandson of Napoleon's sister, Carolina. The palace was fully transformed into a museum on May 1, 1921, at the initiative of Georgian ethnographer and geologist Akaki Chanturia. Also we visit Zugdidi Botanical Garden. It’s Zugdidi branch of Central Botanical Garden administered by the Georgian Academy of Sciences; was built in the late 19th century by the prince of Samegrelo David Dadiani, near his residence. The garden now has over eighty genus of exotic plants introduced from southeast Asia, India, Japan, Mediterranean and the Americas.
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After that we see Martvili Monastery. It is a Georgian monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in the Martvili District of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare) of Georgia. It sits upon the highest hill in the vicinity and was of strategic importance. The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the Samegrelo region.
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After that we visit Martvili Canyon. This wonderful place is located in Samegrelo –Zemo Svaneti region, in Georgia. Small city of Martvili, just half an hour driving time from Kutaisi. Martvili district is truly one of the greatest places in Georgia – combining unique natural environment with historical monuments. It is a place with lots of waterfalls and sky blue water! You can lend a boat with a boatman and he will take you to unforgettable journey between high rocks in Canyon. On the shore among the trees there are special wooden tables and chairs where you can have a nice picnic. There is also a small footpath which will lead you to the Dadiani's "swimming pool" (this is a place of the river, looked like a pool). Great place to have an adventure with a family, friends or co-workers. Enjoy this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__uCbdV8_20
Mariam Bokhua April, 2016 The photos are taken from google.ge photos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dadiani_Palace