Martvili: Monasteries, Museums and Wine Traditions

Martvili combines monasteries and museums with the nearby Martvili Canyon Natural Monument. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth distinguishing between cultural sites in the town and destinations in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Martvili, you can first consider whether historical collections and religious architecture, or also the canyon and wine-growing history, will shape your stay.

The Canyon and Views Over Martvili

Visitors reach the nearby Martvili Canyon Natural Monument via the visitor centre in Inchkhuri. The 700-metre-long, stone-paved circular trail crosses two bridges and leads to three viewpoints. There is also a 300-metre boat tour on the Abasha River. This offers two different ways to see the canyon: a circular trail with bridges and viewpoints, and a trip along the river.

Monasteries and Cultural Heritage

Chkondidi Monastery stands at a spot overlooking Martvili and is associated with King David Agmashenebeli. Martvili Monastery was built in the 7th century. On the way up to the Martvili Monastery Complex, visitors can buy embroidery, candles and souvenirs made by local nuns. The monastery, the views and the crafts offer different points of interest for travellers interested in history and religious culture.

A theatrical event is also part of the town’s cultural history: a production of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” was first staged in Martvili in 1873. This date offers a different historical perspective from Martvili Monastery, whose construction dates back to the 7th century.

Museums and Collections

The Martvili Museum of Local Lore displays archaeological finds from the Stone Age and Bronze Age, including tools, weapons, ritual stones and jewellery. The collection also includes coins from the 4th to the 2nd century BC, Colchis Tetri, later silver coins, manuscripts and documents. Archaeological objects, currency and written records are brought together here. The museum also preserves endangered Colchis grape varieties.

The Martvili Ethnographic Museum focuses on the town and surrounding region through exhibitions and guided tours. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives: the Museum of Local Lore presents archaeological and written collections, while the Ethnographic Museum covers the town and region in its exhibitions and tours.

Wine-Growing in Martvili and Salkhino

Martvili is considered an important region for Megrelian wine-growing, owing to its history and natural conditions. Salome Dadiani-Murat came from Martvili and is regarded as the first woman winemaker. The history of wine-growing can also be explored nearby: Salkhino is close to Martvili and belongs to the municipality, but is not part of the town centre. The Dadiani summer residence there has wine cellars and Megrelian Ojaleshi vineyards.

In Salkhino, visitors can taste Ojaleshi wines of different ages, visit the Dadiani Residence Palace and camp nearby. This nearby destination combines wine and the history of the residence with another option for a stay. If you would like to plan your trip around wine, distinguish between Martvili’s town history and what Salkhino has to offer.

Getting There and Connections

Approximate road travel times to Martvili are 3 hours 45 minutes from Tbilisi, 2 hours 30 minutes from Batumi and 55 minutes from Kutaisi. These estimates may vary. A road and a cable car connect the town centre with the Martvili Monastery Complex. As information about visitor access can change when infrastructure changes, check the current route before your visit.

The sites in town and destinations nearby can offer different focuses for your stay, from monasteries and museum collections to the canyon and wine-growing in Salkhino. The road travel times listed above also help put Martvili in perspective in relation to the three starting points of Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi.

Discover more destinations: Lakhushdi, Chkhorotsku, Adishi, Chvabiani, Darcheli, Tvebishi, Nashtkoli, Ushguli

For the broader travel overview: Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.