Wine

Wine is inseparable part of Georgian feasts. Georgia is one of the oldest countries in the world wine making wise. Archeologists proved that people were producing wine up to 8000 years ago.  The way of wine making is truly unique in Georgia. Wine is kept in clay vessels called “Kvevri” and  kept under the ground which gives wine an unforgettable flavor. Thanks to this technique of Georgian wine making and fermenting grape juice in clay vessels, the country’s ancient traditions made it into UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Argonauts

Colchis was the ancient name of West Georgia. In Greek mythology, Colchis was the location of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in Apollonius Rhodius’ epic tale Argonautica. Princess Medea and the Golden Fleece are believed to be of Georgian origin, from ancient Aia. Numerous golden artifacts have been found here during excavations. The incorporation of the Golden Fleece into the myth may have derived from the local practice of using fleeces to sift gold dust from rivers.This tradition still exists in Svaneti region.

Alphabet

There are only 14 alphabets in the world and one of them is Georgian.
Nowadays Georgians use 33 letters and 33 corresponding sounds. Georgian belongs to Iberian-Caucasian language family. Georgian alphabet was created in 3rd c B.C. although the earliest script about martyr Shushanik dates back to the 5th c A.D. There are 2 more languages in Georgian apart of Georgian itself. These are Megrelian and Svanetian, although only Georgian is the spoken and written as well. This is our official script and all signs are in Georgian.

Christianity

Georgia is one of the first Christian countries in the world. We officially became Christian in 337 A.D. Christianity was brought to Georgia by St. Nino – a young Cappadocian maiden preaching Christianity with a vine cross brought together by her braids. The country is full of ancient churches and the earliest basilica dates back to the 4th c. Georgia is believed to house sacred items: Robe of Christ and St. Mary’s holy vesture.

Ushguli 

Ushguli – the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe (2200 m) – is the must to see while visiting Georgia. It is UNESCO World Heritage site and the highlight f the province. It lies at the background of the highest peak of the Great Caucasus Mountains in Georgia –Mt. Shkhara (5068 m). The village is dotted with the mighty watchtowers dating back to the 8th-12th cc and symbolizing the strength of the families.

Mzia and Zezva

1.75 million-year-old skull from Dmanisi, now called Mzia & Zezva, belonged to one of the first humans to leave Africa. This fact does change millions of minds and opens the door to new theories and hypothesis.

Dmanisi is an on-going excavation site. Georgian and foreign professors work there to unearth world important items that will put new light to the history of human migration from Africa.

Cuisine

Georgian cuisine is one of the best in the world! Georgians are proud of their mouth watering dishes. Traditional dishes are full of herbs and spices giving unforgettable taste to them. Never leave Georgia without trying Khachapuri (cheese pie), Mtsvadi (Shashliks), Khinkali (dumplings), Phkali (spinage, beetroot) seasoned with walnut paste, Satsivi (chicken in walnut paste) and traditional sweets – Churchkhela (nuts coated by grape juice).

Folklore

Georgian folk dances had been collected from all over the country and are called national ballet. Each dance tells a specific story and is performed with real blaze. Along with the graceful sliding moves of ladies, men perform with swords on the stage. Georgian polyphonic singing and folk dances are included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage and song “Chakrulo” is one of the 27 musical selections from different cultures now travelling in the spacecraft.

UNESCO Sites

Georgia is rich with its UNESCO sites.
Whole town of Mtskheta which had been an ancient capital of Georgia, Upper Svaneti and highest inhabited village Ushguli (2200 m), Bagrati cathedral (11th c) and Gelati academy and monastery (12th c) are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Georgian polyphonic singing and Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine making method are all listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.