Ozurgeti

Understand

Ozurgeti was founded in the Middle Ages, 16th century. The city was the residence of the Prince of Guria and became a trading center in later centuries. Ozurgeti received its town charter in 1840, after the Russian Empire conquered the Principality of Guria. The town was a strategic location in the Russo-Turkish Wars during the 19th century. In 1905, Ozurgeti was one of the centers of the Georgian Social-Democratic Movement and of the so-called "Gurian Republic" which existed during the Russian Revolution. During the Soviet period, Ozurgeti became the hometown of tea producing and citrus growing in Georgia. From 1934 to 1989, the city was named after the Georgian Communist Party leader of the 1920s and 1930s, Philip Makharadze. Today's layout and image of the town was established during Soviet times. Nowadays, like the entire region, the city is experiencing economic decline and population decrease.

Get around

A small town, Ozurgeti is easily covered on foot. The town has no public transport system. Buses and mini-buses (Marschrutkas) go only in the surrounding area. Cycling can be an option, also, but there are no bike rentals, though. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari. Taxis are cheap and cost 5-10 lari within the town.

Ozurgeti has following districts: the center, where government, financial, shopping and service provider institutions are based, Seri south from the center, located on the small hill, historical part of the town Ekadia, former village, now part of the town, south of river Bzhuzhi; Anaseuli - Soviet-era settlement with former tea factory and scientific institutions and sleeping districts: Lashe-Gakiruli in the eastern part of the town, Zvani in the western part and Moidanakhe on the northern hill, where the town's major cemeteries are located.

See

The main sightseeing in the town is an archaeological site, , which were built and used by rulers of Principality of Guria - Gurieli. Baths are on the central square of the town. Ruins are left open-air, so its free to visit. These baths must have been oldest building in the town. The oldest survived building of the town is , built in 1863, used to be a residence of the noble family, which is now used as a residence of the local Bishop of Georgian Orthodox Church. 19th-century typical Gurian wooden houses, with balconies and tile roofs can be found scattered in the town.

The city center is dominated by a - the second largest theater building in Georgia, with statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian movie director, born in Ozurgeti. The city center extends along the Chavchavadze street north to the quite remarkable train station. All around are typical magnificent Soviet buildings of the 1930s to the 1960s, in the classical style, such as - built in 1930s and renovated 1980s, but nonfunctional yet and - constructivist building from the 1970s. Slightly away from the town center is an industrial complex of a with glorious Soviet residential and administrative buildings and wall mosaics. Also worthy is a near the train station. Another Soviet industrial and administrative building can be found in , an outskirt in south-western part of the town.

Buy

There are two supermarkets in Ozurgeti: in the large shopping center on Guria Street and on Ekvtime Takaishvili Street. Locally made bread and pastry, named can be found on Gabriel Episkoposi Str., below the church. is near it.

Eat

Eating in Ozurgeti is very cheap. Prices per person may be vary from US$7-10. Do not buy wine in restaurants as it's better to buy wine in a shop and take it in the restaurant.

The best choices of food are corn bread, cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, eggplant with nuts, barbecue, kebab, Khachapuri, beef with potatoes (Ojakhuri), fried chicken in garlic (Shkmeruli).

The local khachapuri (cheese bread) speciality for this region is 'Guruli Khachapuri', a calzone-type pastry stuffed with typical Georgian cheese and boiled eggs. Positively delicious but potentially difficult to find, as it's traditionally a festive dish.

Sleep

There is only one hotel in Ozurgeti and some guesthouses. Guesthouses are a good option for budget travelers. They are clean, safe and cheap, as well as giving the opportunity to meet local people. A wide range of accommodation are available in the beach resort towns Ureki and Kobuleti, where, however, many businesses are closed during winter.

Connect

Free wireless internet is available in the Platanus garden and Culture and Resort Park, free internet is available in Public Service Hall, also.

There are 3 GSM operators of mobile phone service: Magticom, Geocell and Beeline. Their offices are near each other on the Chavchavadze Str.

Stay safe

Ozurgeti is very safe for travelers. the crime rate is among the lowest in Europe. Most of the streets are illuminated at night. Police cars patrol the streets in the town and can help with any problem. Call 112 in any case of emergency (police, ambulance, fire).

Stay healthy

Tap water is good for drinking in Ozurgeti. Ozurgeti has one of the best tap water among Georgia's cities.

You will find many gyms in the town. One of them is on the second floor of shopping mall on Eristavi Street, called My Fitness. Monthly ticket covers 12 visit and costs 70 lari. Round 1 is on Takaishvili Street. Monthly unlimited ticket costs 60 lari. There is a gym in Sports Palace is on the second floor. Ticket costs 50 lari and covers 12 visit to the gym. You can work out in Park of Culture and Resort, where open-air training equipment is available.

Modernized is on the "Seri" hill and is seen from the town center.

There are four pharmacies open 24/7, in front of "Bazari", GPC, PSP, Impex and Aversi.