Ambrolauri
Racha's small, quiet capital on the Rioni, the best base for Nikortsminda, Barakoni, Khvanchkara and Shaori Lake.
AmbrolauriPhoto: Deu from ka.wiki, Public domainAmbrolauri is the administrative centre of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, a small town of about 2,000 people on both banks of the Rioni River at around 550 m. It is green and unhurried, with forested ridges on every side. The town has a handful of sights: the three-storey Machabeli Tower, the ruins of a hall church with an inscription naming King George III of Imereti, a monument to Khvanchkara wine shaped like a giant bottle, and the Ambrolauri Museum of Fine Arts, with around 550 paintings by 20th-century Georgian artists.
Its real value is as a base. Barakoni Church is about 15 minutes away, the Khvanchkara vineyards and Nikortsminda Cathedral 20 to 30 minutes, and Shaori Lake about 40 minutes. Oni and Upper Racha lie further up the Rioni valley. Ambrolauri has several guesthouses, small hotels and cafes, a few shops for supplies, and a small airport for light aircraft that opened in 2017.
History
The name Ambrolauri is recorded in the 17th century, when the kings of Imereti had a palace here; only minor ruins survive. In 1769 King Solomon I granted the town to the Machabeli family, whose tower still stands. After Russia annexed Imereti in 1810 it became part of the Racha district, and it gained town status in 1966. The 1991 Racha earthquake caused heavy damage, and in 1995 Ambrolauri became the regional capital.
What to see and do
- The Machabeli Tower
- The Ambrolauri Museum of Fine Arts
- The Khvanchkara wine bottle monument
- Day trips to Nikortsminda, Barakoni and Khvanchkara
How to visit
Getting there
About 1.5 to 2 hours from Kutaisi via Tkibuli and the Nakerala Pass, and about 4.5 to 5 hours from Tbilisi. Marshrutkas run from Kutaisi and from Tbilisi's Didube bus station.
When to go
May–October. Plan 1–2 days as a base here.
- Bring enough cash; card payment and ATMs are limited outside the town centre
- Hire a driver locally for Nikortsminda, Barakoni and Shaori, which buses do not serve
- Book guesthouses ahead during the autumn harvest
- Try Rachan ham and lobiani in a local restaurant
Ambrolauri: FAQ
Does Ambrolauri have an airport?
Yes, a small airport for light aircraft opened in 2017. Scheduled flights from the Tbilisi area have run only intermittently, so check current services before relying on them.
Is Ambrolauri a good base for Racha?
Yes. It has the widest choice of guesthouses in the region and is 15 to 40 minutes by car from Nikortsminda, Barakoni, Khvanchkara and Shaori Lake.
Tours that include Ambrolauri
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Ambrolauri.
