Ozurgeti

Ozurgeti (ოზურგეთი, from 1934 to 1989 Makharadze მახარაძე) is the town of 15,000 people (2020) in Georgia, capital of Guria region. It is a good jumping off point for nearby beaches, mountain resorts, old monasteries and rural tourism.

Understand
Ozurgeti was founded in the Middle Ages, 16th century. The city was the residence of the Prince of Guria and became a trading center in later centuries. Ozurgeti received its town charter in 1840, after becoming part of Russian Empire. The town was a strategic location in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). In the 19th century Ozurgeti became the hometown of tea producing and citrus growing in Georgia. In 1905 Ozurgeti was center of Georgian Social-Democratic Movement and capital of so called "Gurian Republic" which existed during Russian Revolution. From 1934 to 1989, the city was named after the Georgian Communist Party leader of the 1920s and 1930s, Philip Makharadze. Today's layout and image of the town was established during Soviet times. The largest employers in the city are government and financial institutions, and nut cultivation is the main economic activity.

By plane
The nearest major international airport is in Tbilisi (340 km), while Batumi (60 km) and Kutaisi (70 km) International Airports are the nearest accessible airports. Trabzon airport (250 km) in Turkey might be an option, also.

The following airlines operate service to/from Kutaisi International Airport:
 * WizzAir (Athens, Barcelona, Berlin-Schoenefeld, Budapest, Dortmund, Katowice, Larnaca, London-Luton, Memmingen, Milan-Malpensa, Paris-Beauvais, Praha, Riga, Rome-Fiumicino, Thessaloniki, Vienna, Vilnius),
 * Service Air (Mestia).

By train
Ozurgeti has a railway station, which can be reached from Batumi and Tbilisi. Ozurgeti is end point of a branch line from Natanebi on the Black Sea coast.

There is a daily train pair each to Tbilisi (night and day trains) and Batumi (day train). The former holds the road, among others in Samtredia. The second one also in Kobuleti. Ticket prices from Tbilisi to Ozurgeti vary between 15-30 lari. Trains leave twice a day and take about 9 hours. Batumi-Ozurgeti train leaves once a day, only evenings and takes 2 hours. Tickets from both cities can be bought at stations and online.

a magnificent neoclassical building, approximately 500 m north of the center, at the end of the Ilia Chavchavadze Street. There is a ticket office and Mini Bus station over there. Taxis await incoming passengers. A taxi from the station to city costs 3-5 lari, to villages 4-20 lari.

By bus
There are daily arrivals and departures in several directions: Kutaisi (from Kutaisi main station, behind the Mcdonalds, at 10:30 11:30, 13:10, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30), Samtredia, Kobuleti and Batumi, also Tbilisi, as well as marshrutkas to nearest villages and sites of tourist interest in the area. is south of the city center next to the large roundabout.

By car
Ozurgeti lies on the well-developed regional road "შ 2" (Kobuleti - Chokhatauri - Sadzhavakho - Samtredia), "შ 46" Ureki-Natanebi-Ozurgeti and "შ 84" Lanchkhuti - Lesa - Ozurgeti; about 7km east from the regional road 'შ 47" Nasakirali - Schuchuti. Roads are paved with asphalt, except "შ 84" which is paved with concrete. Roads are beautiful, but winding, and are ideal for a scenic drive.


 * filling stations

Get around
A small town, Ozurgeti is easily covered on foot. The town has no public transport system. Buses and mini-buses (Marschrutkas) go only in the surrounding area. Cycling can be an option, also, but there are no bike rentals, though. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari. Taxis are cheap and cost 3-5 lari within the town.

Ozurgeti has following districts: the center, where government, financial, shopping and service provider institutions are based, Seri south from the center, located on the small hill, historical part of the town Ekadia, former village, now part of the town, south of river Bzhuzhi; Anaseuli - Soviet-era settlement with former tea factory and scientific institutions and sleeping districts: Lashe-Gakiruli in the eastern part of the town, Zvani in the western part and Moidanakhe on the northern hill, where the town's major cemeteries are located.

See
The main sightseeing in the town is an archaeological site,, which were built and used by rulers of Principality of Guria - Gurieli. Baths are on the central square of the town. Ruins are left open-air, so its free to visit. These baths must have been oldest building in the town. The oldest survived building of the town is, built in 1863, used to be a residence of the noble family, which is now used as a residence of the local Bishop of Georgian Orthodox Church. 19th-century typical Gurian wooden houses, with balconies and tile roofs can be found scattered in the town.

The city center is dominated by a - the second largest theater building in Georgia, with statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian movie director, born in Ozurgeti. The city center extends along the Chavchavadze street north to the quite remarkable train station. All around are typical magnificent Soviet buildings of the 1930s to the 1960s, in the classical style, such as - built in 1930s and renovated 1980s, but nonfunctional yet and  - constructivist building from the 1970s. Slightly away from the town center is an industrial complex of a with glorious Soviet residential and administrative buildings and wall mosaics. Also worthy is a near the train station. Another Soviet industrial and administrative building can be found in, an outskirt in south-western part of the town.

There are also two Postmodern architecture buildings: Police Office (2009) and Public Service Hall (2012).

Museums and galleries




Here are archaeological artifacts exhibited, as well as an exhibition on the life of Ektwmie Takaischwili can be seen. Museum is located in old Gurian type wooden house, with fireplace and balcony.

Parks and gardens
Ozurgeti is known for its gardens, some of them date back to XIX century. Scottish gardener Jacob Mar developed town garden in early 1810s fot his client Principal of Guria Mamia III Gurieli. That garden now is divided into three parts: is in front of Theater building and has access to free Wi-Fi, platanus trees make a "მ" (M in Georgian Alphabet) shape; so called  (triangle garden) is on the right side of the Theater building and has an open-air mini-football ground, there is, also, Statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian director, who was born in Ozurgeti and Ozurgeti dramatic Theater is named after him; and former, which is located in front of Dimitri Gurieli's palace. Slightly south of the park, a car-free area with a Soviet-era can be found.

Other parks are:
 * , in the center of town, below of Museum and Public Service Hall
 * , in the south of town, in Ekadia district. Forest-park was developed in 1960s, but now its not used. Good views of the town can be seen from the park
 * , in the south of town, in Ekadia district. Forest-park was developed in 1960s, but now its not used. Good views of the town can be seen from the park

Around the town



 * (დვაბზუს ეკლესიები), one of them is dated in VI century and one in 1874. Churches have local cultural heritage site status.
 * (ჭალის ეკლესია), a 19th-century church ruins is 5 km west from Ozurgeti and is considered a local cultural heritage site.
 * (ჯიხეთის მონასტერი), a 19th-century monastery, is 40 km northeast from Ozurgeti
 * (ერკეთის მონასტერი) was built in the 9th century and is in village Erketi, 32 km east of Ozurgeti.
 * (უდაბნოს მონასტერი) consist from two churches, one of them is caved. Monastery is in village Shua Amaghleba, 35 km northeast of Ozurgeti
 * (ეგნატე ნინოშვილის მუზეუმი) is in village Archeuli, 30 km north from Ozurgeti. Egnate Ninoshvili was most famous Gurian writer, one of the leaders of the social democratic movement of the late 19th century in Russian Empire. Museum is organized in an old house, where Ninoshvili was born
 * and churches in Aketi. Village Aketi is 20 km northeast from Ozurgeti. Saint George church was built in developed middle ages and Our Saviors church was built in 1899.
 * in Goraberezhouli, 25 km northeast from Ozurgeti, is only remained secular sightseeing in Guria. The territory consists a garden, stone fence, and a palace. It is dated from the 17th century.
 * (ჯიხეთის მონასტერი), a 19th-century monastery, is 40 km northeast from Ozurgeti
 * (ერკეთის მონასტერი) was built in the 9th century and is in village Erketi, 32 km east of Ozurgeti.
 * (უდაბნოს მონასტერი) consist from two churches, one of them is caved. Monastery is in village Shua Amaghleba, 35 km northeast of Ozurgeti
 * (ეგნატე ნინოშვილის მუზეუმი) is in village Archeuli, 30 km north from Ozurgeti. Egnate Ninoshvili was most famous Gurian writer, one of the leaders of the social democratic movement of the late 19th century in Russian Empire. Museum is organized in an old house, where Ninoshvili was born
 * and churches in Aketi. Village Aketi is 20 km northeast from Ozurgeti. Saint George church was built in developed middle ages and Our Saviors church was built in 1899.
 * in Goraberezhouli, 25 km northeast from Ozurgeti, is only remained secular sightseeing in Guria. The territory consists a garden, stone fence, and a palace. It is dated from the 17th century.

Activities

 * Cycle around the town there are no bike rentals. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari.
 * Swim in the rivers. If you are brave enough, swimming in the river Bzhuzhi in the southern part of the town during hot summer days makes you feel local.
 * Fish in the small rivers such as Bzhizhi, Ochkhamura, Achi and Natanebi.
 * Fish in the small rivers such as Bzhizhi, Ochkhamura, Achi and Natanebi.

Festivals and performances

 * Alegro a city festival dates back from the 19th century. Allegro takes place in the center of the town in early autumn, September or October
 * Giorgi Salukvadze Ethnographic Festival, in which the neighboring countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan) participate, is held in the summertime
 * Giorgi Salukvadze Ethnographic Festival, in which the neighboring countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan) participate, is held in the summertime



Sports
Despite Georgia's failure to score a major success since independence, football (soccer) remains the most popular sport in the country, and in Ozurgeti as well. The town has two major sports clubs - Mertskhali (the swallow), which has the home ground (friendship) and Rugby club Piralebi (robbers), which has the home ground. The sports season in Georgia lasts from September to May.



Chess, Checkers, backgammon, also domino and card games are very common for Ozurgtei. You can find people sitting in yards and playing games. Feel free to join them, just avoid gambling.

Buy
There are two supermarkets in Ozurgeti: in the large shopping center on Guria Street and  on Ekvtime Takaishvili Street. Locally made bread and pastry, named can be found on Gabriel Episkoposi Str., below the church. is near it.



Eat
Eating in Ozurgeti is very cheap. Prices per person may be vary from US$5-10. Do not buy wine in restaurants, its better to buy wine in a shop and take it in restaurant.

The best choices of food are Corn bread, cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, eggplant with nuts, barbecue, kebab, Khachapuri, Beef with potatoes (Ojakhuri), fried chicken in garlic (Shkmeruli).

The local khachapuri (cheese bread) speciality for this region is 'Guruli Khachapuri', a calzone-type pastry stuffed with typical Georgian sulguni cheese and boiled eggs. Positively delicious but potentially difficult to find, as it's traditionally a festive dish.

Drink
If you get invited in someones house, your host may also offer you Georgian "chacha," an outrageously potent vodka distilled from grapes.



Sleep
There is only one hotel in Ozurgeti and some guesthouses. Guesthouses are a good option for budget travelers. They are clean, safe and cheap, as well as giving the opportunity to meet local people. A wide range of accommodation are available in the beach resort towns Ureki and Kobuleti, where, however, many businesses are closed during winter.



Talk
Gurians speak much more quickly than average Georgians from other regions, so it is more complicated to understand them. The older generation speaks Russian fluently, and Armenian as well. The younger generation now studies English. Almost every school in Ozurgeti has a native English-speaking teacher. There are some US and European volunteers who speak English as well. When in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English.

Learn
There are no universities in the town. Only one operates. Wide range of driving schools is in Ozurgeti. It seems easier to get driver's license in Ozurgeti then in other towns in Georgia.

Work
Working time in Ozurgeti starts at 09:00 or 10:00 and end at 16:00–18:00. Locals like to take an hour lunch break and enjoy their food while socializing with their co-workers. Approaches to punctuality used to be very relaxed. Summer (late July-August) and January are months when people take two weeks or a whole month off work to enjoy vacationing with family. A local wage in Ozurgeti will typically be around 300–400 lari a month, with only a small section of public servants making in the range of 800–1000 lari a month.

Foreigners working in Ozurgeti are employed as volunteers. There are volunteers from the US Peace Corps and EVS (European Volunteering Service) volunteers from Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. These volunteers mostly work for the NGOs Young Pedagogues Union, Guria Youth Resource Center and Student Youth Council.

Connect
Free wireless internet is available in the Platanus garden and Culture and Resort Park, free internet is available in Public Service Hall, also.



There are 3 GSM operators of mobile phone service: Magticom, Geocell and Beeline. Their offices are near each other on the Chavchavadze Str.

Stay safe
Ozurgeti is very safe for travelers. the crime rate is among the lowest in Europe. Most of the streets are illuminated at night. Police cars patrol the streets in the town and can help with any problem. Call 112 in any case of emergency (police, ambulance, fire).

Stay healthy
Tap water is good for drinking in Ozurgeti. Ozurgeti has one of the best tap water among Georgia's cities.

You will find many gyms in the town. One of them is on the second floor of shopping mall on Eristavi Street, called My Fitness. Monthly ticket costs 70 lari. Olympic House is on 26 Rustaveli Street. Monthly ticket costs 60 lari. There is a gym in Sports Palace is on the second floor. Ticket costs 50 lari and covers 12 visit to the gym. You can work out in Park of Culture and Resort, where open-air training equipment is available.

Modernized hospital is on the "Seri" hill and is seen from the town center.

There are four pharmacies open 24/7, in front of "Bazari", GPC, PSP, Impex and Aversi.

Cope
There is no tourist office or travel agency in Ozurgeti. Nearest tourist offices are available in Ureki and Kobuleti, but only during summer.



In Guria
There are plenty of buses and minibuses to neighboring villages (generally 0.5-2 lari). Buses and minibuses leave from central bus station in the south part of the town, or from the station on Aghmashenebeli Str, near big roundabout. The best destination may include


 * villages and rural tourism:
 * Shemokmedi
 * Likhauri
 * Aketi
 * Mtispiri


 * Mountain resorts
 * Bakhmaro (only in summer)
 * Gomismta (only in summer)
 * Nasakirali
 * Nabeghlavi


 * beach resorts (only in summer)
 * Ureki
 * Grigoleti
 * Shekvetili

Other regions
Outside of the Guria region, popular destinations may include Kobuleti and Batumi. There are plenty minibuses, they leave in every hour from 8AM to 5PM to Batumi. Travel to Batumi costs 5 lari, to Kobuleti - 3 lari.