Kutaisi - city in between rain showers

Kutaisi ქუთაისი

Folder: Georgia / Sakartvelo
Kutaisi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the third-most populous city in Georgia after Tbilisi and Batumi. Kutaisi was a major industrial center before Georgia's independence in 1991. Independence was followed by the economic collapse of the country, and, as a result, many inhabitants of Kutaisi had to work abroad. Small-scale trade prevailed among the rest of th…  (read more)
Kutaisi - city in between rain showers

Kutaisi - city in between rain showers

15 Jul 1999 56
today: www.google.com/maps/@42.2765008,42.704575,3a,75y,154.48h,91.36t/data=!3m11!1e1!3m9!1sAF1QipPKBqYhpPkBwd_b3nbXKhQhP8J0pJVbZNzqjyt0!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPKBqYhpPkBwd_b3nbXKhQhP8J0pJVbZNzqjyt0%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya162.40157-ro-0-fo100!7i7168!8i3584!9m2!1b1!2i49?entry=ttu
A fantastic view from above of Kutaisi

A fantastic view from above of Kutaisi

15 Jul 1999 3 1 183
The Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi is located on a hill, providing a beautiful view of the city, the Racha mountain range, and the Rioni River. Visitors can enjoy the view of Kutaisi from the area around the cathedral, which is also suitable for a picnic. The cathedral is one of the main hallmarks of Kutaisi and is considered one of the four Great Cathedrals of Georgia. It is a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture and started a new era in the early medieval history of Georgian temple architecture. The cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III, to commemorate the unification of Georgia. The temple was partially ruined for centuries and was restored in 2012, mainly preserving the original image and style of the building.
Kutaisi - view

Kutaisi - view

15 Jul 1999 1 56
Kutaisi - mystery cathedral

Kutaisi - mystery cathedral

15 Jul 1999 7 5 141
A view from above Kutaisi

A view from above Kutaisi

15 Jul 1999 13 5 150
from ruined Bagrati Cathedral
Bagrati Cathedral

Bagrati Cathedral

15 Jul 1999 7 6 167
The Bagrati Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Dormition, is an 11th-century cathedral located in Kutaisi, Georgia. The cathedral has been the subject of controversy due to its full-scale restoration and subsequent delisting from the World Heritage List. The restoration works on the cathedral began in the 1950s and has been a point of contention, with experts expressing concerns about the impact of the reconstruction on the cathedral's outstanding universal value and authenticity. The controversy surrounding the restoration and delisting of the Bagrati Cathedral has garnered significant attention and has been the subject of academic analysis. // This is the stage in 1999, and for the comparison I took the liberty to use a newer photo by hourglass . Another photo of the same by Peter Ashton
Bagrati cathedral in BW

Bagrati cathedral in BW

15 Jul 1999 3 1 69
The Bagrati Cathedral was constructed in the 11th century and is a cruciform-shaped church with four free-standing piers supporting the dome. It has a three-apsed construction to the east, with an elongated western arm. On the second floor of both sides of the west arm, there are galleries where women from royal families would have prayed. The restoration works began in the 1950s, and continued for several decades. In 1994, under Patriarch Ilia II, a fund was created for the reconstruction of the cathedral, and major conservation works were concluded in 2012.
Bagrati Cathedral: Wired

Bagrati Cathedral: Wired

15 Jul 1999 1 1 79
The Bagrati Cathedral was constructed in the 11th century and is a cruciform-shaped church with four free-standing piers supporting the dome. It has a three-apsed construction to the east, with an elongated western arm. On the second floor of both sides of the west arm, there are galleries where women from royal families would have prayed. The restoration works began in the 1950s, and continued for several decades. In 1994, under Patriarch Ilia II, a fund was created for the reconstruction of the cathedral, and major conservation works were concluded in 2012.
Kutaisi - Rioni river

Kutaisi - Rioni river

15 Jul 1999 1 72
The Rioni River is the longest river entirely within the borders of Georgia, with a length of 327 kilometers (203 miles). It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha, and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti (near ancient Phasis). The city of Kutaisi, which was once the ancient city of Colchis, is located on its banks. The Rioni River drains the whole western Transcaucasus into the Black Sea, while the river Kura drains the eastern Transcaucasus into the Caspian Sea.
Kutaisi - wiring

Kutaisi - wiring

15 Jul 1999 1 54
Ex-catholic church: Kutaisi Holy Annunciation Temple

Ex-catholic church: Kutaisi Holy Annunciation Temp…

15 Jul 1999 7 3 187
In the XVII century, the missionaries of the Franciscan Order of Friars also known as the Capuchins arrived in Kutaisi and settled on the left bank of the River Rioni. Later, the territory was called the French Quarter. At the beginning of the 19th century, King Solomon II commissioned Catholic missionaries and granted them a place to build a Catholic Church in 1862. (It is currently the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation).
Glory to the people

Glory to the people

15 Jul 1999 1 1 123
The Glory to Labour Monument is an abstract monument located in the center of Kutaisi, Georgia. It was created by sculptors E. Amashukeli and I. Bastanashvili and completed in 1980. The monument is an example of Soviet-era architecture and art, and it is considered a former USSR monument dedicated to the working people of Georgia and celebrates their contributions to the country's development. The artwork is made of bronze and marble and is located in a public square in the center of Kutaisi, being a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city's history and culture. (It is worth noting that the monument should not be confused with the Glory Memorial, which was a different monument located in Kutaisi that was dedicated to the memory of those who died during World War II and was demolished in 2009 to make way for a new parliament building.)
Kutaisi - Lada Niva in front of a theatre

Kutaisi - Lada Niva in front of a theatre

15 Jul 1999 7 3 93
The Lado Meskhishvili Professional State Drama Theatre, also known as Meskhishvili Theatre, is a cultural gem located in Kutaisi, Georgia. The theatre has a rich history that dates back 100 years, and it was built in the 1950s. The theatre is located in the city's central square, which makes it a prominent landmark that overlooks the square. The theatre hosts a variety of performances, including plays based on the works of famous writers such as Gilbert Cesbron. The theatre is not only a great place to enjoy a performance, but it is also a beautiful building that is worth a visit just to admire its architecture and location in the central square of Kutaisi. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the theatre to learn more about its history and significance. The Meskhishvili Theatre is an important cultural institution in Kutaisi and a must-see for lovers of the theatrical arts. -- by perplexity.ai
Three Slovaks in a café in Kutaisi

Three Slovaks in a café in Kutaisi

15 Jul 1999 11 6 238
This is the staff of a family restaurant where we took our breakfast treat, khachapuri and tea. I am wondering if this cafe still exist. Probably not, but I am curious to hear from the Kutaisians.
From Hell

From Hell

15 Jul 1999 13 7 195
The Gelati Monastery in Georgia is known for its vivid and intricate murals, including depictions of Hell. The wall paintings inside the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin is a multi-layered ensemble, and from the original decoration, only the mosaic in the sanctuary conch and the murals of the narthex have survived. The majority of the wall paintings in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin were executed after 1510, and the murals were commissioned by the Kings of Imereti in the 1520s, 1550s, and between 1560 and 1578. The Gelati Monastery is a masterpiece of the architecture of the “Golden Age” of Georgia and the best representative of its architectural style.
Gelati Monastery

Gelati Monastery

15 Jul 1999 5 2 125
Gelati Monastery is a medieval monastic complex founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia on a wooded hill above the river Tskaltsitela, near Kutaisi. The main church of the monastery, known as the Church of Virgin the Blessed, was completed in 1130 in the reign of David's son and successor Demetré. The monastery is one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, distinguished for its harmony with its natural setting and a well thought-out overall planning concept. Gelati Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia.
Cars of Kutaisi

Cars of Kutaisi

15 Jul 1999 11 3 257
In 1999, the vehicles on the roads in Georgia were quite diverse. The most common car models were Lada Samara, Niva, Volga, O. Astra, VW Golf, H. Accent... The majority of cars on the road were old and damaged (described by some traveller as something straight out of 1975), with many spitting toxic fumes and probably many of these cars would not pass inspection in Europe. ccording to the Georgia Department of Public Safety's 1999 Annual Report the motor vehicle travel continued to grow at a rate of 5% each year, and the data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia show that the number of registered vehicles increased from 762,200 units in 1999 to 1,490,200 units in 2021. And one more observation. The policemen used whistles to stop the car and gather some pocket money to offset their extremely low wages. Locals said that the police only checked on in the morning, so the people who could not afford 'fines' would only drive in the afternoon.
Unusual Soviet Monument

Unusual Soviet Monument

15 Jul 1999 6 2 189
Located on the side of the street next to Kutaisi City Hall, the Glory to Labour Monument is an interesting example of Soviet art. It was completed around 1980-1 designed by architects Vakhtang Davitaya and Shota Bostanashvili, with sculptures by E. Amashukeli and I. Bastanashvili. The monument is made of bronze and marble. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to the workers of Georgia reflecting the Soviet-era emphasis on the importance of the working class. It is a popular tourist stop for the visitors who are interested in Soviet-era architecture and design.
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