THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE ADMINISTRATION

Vani

Vani municipality is a self-governing unit in Imereti district,having separated as a region in 1930.It is situated in the very South-West of Imereti bordering with Bagdadi,Samtredia,Tskaltubo,Adigeni and Chokhatauri municipalities.The main features of the relief are the north side-hill of Meskheti Ridge and Imereti Plain.The north is occupied with Imereti plain. The river Rioni flows along the northern border of the municipality.Rivers Sulori ,Kumuri and others flow in the territory of Vani.Their river-heads are in the northern side-hills of the Meskheti Ridge,1500m above the sealevel. Main mineral resources are: basalt,alabaster(Inashauri),terracota,limestone(Isriti)and mineral waters(Amagleba,Sulori). There are 44 settlements in Vani: 1town and 42 villages. The municipality is divided into the following territorial units:1 town-Vani: 17 communities: Amagleba,Bzvani,Gadidi,Gora,Dikhashkho,Zeda Vani,Zeindari,Mtisdziri,Mukedi,Salominao,Salkhino,Saprasia,Tobanieri,Ukhuti,Fereta,Kumuri,Shuamta and 3 villages: Sulori,Tsiknesulori and Dzulukhi. The leading branch of economy is agriculture.The fields and postures occupy 16.2h.The main species of vine are Tsolikauri,Tsitska and Aladasturi.Gardening is also developed.The transport junction is town Vani connected to towns Kutaisi,Bagdadi,Samtredia and Lanchkhuti with a motor road.The town is connected to the main railway lines of Caucasus through Kutaisi and Samtredia. Tourism is very important for the economy of Vani.The most famous tourist attraction is Otar Lortkipanidze Archeological Museum -Reserve.Its full rehabilitation will be completed in 2018,making it the best of its kind in Transcacucasia.The museum will have the departments of restoration and funds,an educational centre for children,a library,a conference hall and show-rooms equipped with modern technologies.The museum houses archeological findings,architecture,jewellery and bronze statues.All the exhibits of the exhibition famous all over the world as "Kolkhida Rich in Gold" were found in the excavations of the ruins of the ancient town of Vani.Most part of the exhibition will be back to the museum. The Museum-reserve consists of the ruins of ancient Vani,an expedition base and and the museum itself.There is a diverse recreational zone in the territory of the reserve. There is a balneological resort Sulori famous for its thermal and mineral waters in the territory on the municipality. Vani is rich in historical monuments.These are: Shuamta st.George Church; Melouri Fortress and XIV century Melouri Church in Dzulukhi; XII-XIII century Archangel Church in Inashauri; Bzvani Cave; Gormagali Fortress in Sulori;Epiphany Church in Shuamta; XVII century Trinity Church in Dikhashkho; XI century Church in Salominao;two Fortresses of a feudal era and XIX century Church in Zeda Bzvani; XII century Saviour Church in Amagleba; a medieval fortress,a church and a tower in Isriti; Archangel Church in Mukheti;a fortress in Maisaouri. According to the legend,in the centre of Vani stands a cross erected by st.Andrew. The village Chkvishi,the place which is "so much related to a tired soul" and the place where "the sky and the land is so full of eternal poetry", is a birth-place of two genius Georgian poets Galaktion and TitsianTabidzes.Their memorial museums are powerful cultural and educational centers as well as the museum of Korneli Kekelidze in Tobanieri.