Shemokmedi

Shemokmedi (შემოქმედი) is a village in the Guria region, 6 km southeast from region capital Ozurgeti. The village is known for its old monastery.

View from Shemokmedi monastery

Get in

By train

Nearest train Station is in Ozurgeti

By bus

There are several departures from Ozurgeti.

By car

Shemokmedi is connected to Ozurgeti with well-developed regional road. Route from Ozurgeti to Shemokmedi

Get around

You can easily walk or cycle in Shemokmedi.

See

Shemokmedi monastery

• 🌍 Shemokmedi Cathedral (შემოქმედის საკათედრო ტაძარი). This 12th-to-16th-century monastery is located on the hill in the eponymous village of Shemoqmedi, about 7 km southeast of Ozurgeti. The monastery complex consists of two church buildings and a bell tower from the 16th century. The main church, a three-aisled basilica without cupola, was built in the 12th century. The walls are built of hewn stone, the floor is covered with marble. The second, smaller church called "zarzma" was built in the 16th century by the prince of Guria Vakhtang I. Gurieli as home to an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was one of the richest monasteries in Georgia. In the monastery there were several relics, such as very valuable icons, stored. Great views of Guria's villages can be seen from the hill. (updated Jul 2015)

Gorisferdi

• 🌍 Gorisferdi church (გორისფერდის ეკლესია). A newly built orthodox church instead of medieval church (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Stone Wine-press (ქვის საწნახელი). A massive, stone-carved winepress is located near Gonebiskari, in "Meskhiseul estate". Length of winepress is 6 meters, width - 120 cm, depth - 90 cm. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Philipp Makharadze Former museum (ფილიპე მახარაძის ყოფილი სახლ-მუზეუმი). Now the museum of Bolshevik Philipp Makharadze is closed, but partly demolished XIX century house and an arc from 1950s can be seen (updated Jul 2015)
• Bzhuzhi HPP (ბჟუჟჰესი). Soviet time HPP, built in 1950s is worth of visit (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 Chala-Sakdari (ჭალა-საყდარი). Ruins of medieval belltower (updated Aug 2015)

Do

Gomismta

• Visit Gomismta, mountain resort above of Shemokmedi, 2000 meters high from sea level
• 🌍 Chakukha (ჩაქუხა). is very popular place to swim, sunbath and enjoy life during hot summer. (updated Aug 2015)
• Satavani (სათავანი). go further away from Bzhuzhi HPP and about 10 km away you will find a waterfall (updated Aug 2015)

Buy

You can by very good homemade Vodka from local in village Gomi, 2 km away from Shemokmedi.

Talk

See also: Georgian phrasebook

Gurians speak much more quickly than average Georgians from other regions, so it is more complicated to understand them. When in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English.

Go next

• Ozurgeti
• Dvabzu
• Likhauri