Gori
Geographical
Location
78
km from Tbilisi;
585
m high from the sea level;
44
0 75’ of the east longitude;
41
0 58’ of the north latitude;
Climate-temperature:
warm, from dries to wet average annual temperature -10,90
Gori is not big, but geographically and architecturally it is a very
attractive town, situated at the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Liakhvi. The
outskirts of Gori were populated before B.C. During the excavations on the above
territory several valuable articles were found belonging to the antique period.
The main route connecting Europe to Asia passed through the town. Therefore it
appeared to be the geographical center having economic and political importance.
Gori Fortress is the most unique among other historical
monuments. Around the fortress a small town was formed which performed the
mission of the administrative center of Shida Kartli which had always been the
most important domain for strengthening the statehood of Georgia, throughout
centuries.
Gori is one of the most ancient towns of Georgia. According to archaeological
findings a typical town settlement must have been here at the end of B.C. and at
the beginning of A.D. The oldest archaeological monument is an old settlement
belonging to Bronze Age, which was discovered on the bank of the river Mtkvari
at Ghambareuli place. The ceramic utensils found here are typical to the “Mtkvari
Araksi Culture” of III millennium
B.C.
In 1946 a landslip destroyed the North Slope of Gori fortress where an
antique cultural layer was discovered. Here archaeologists found a plastered
wall, thin-walled pitchers, flat and hooked tiles painted red fragments of
polished clay utensils burnt in red and black. In accordance with the
archaeologists the findings must have belonged to I millenium B.C and the
beginning of A.D. The burial mound
dating from the same period was found on the east of the fortress. Many objects
like clay utensils, coins, necklaces, bracelets and other decorations were
discovered i the mound. Among the finding mention should be made on a round
stone head of a certain monument which following the scientists must have
belonged to the antique period.
Gori was situated on the most
important strategic route having a great economic value. So possessing this
region meant political reign over Shida Kartli. Wherever Tbilisi was occupied,
Gori appeared to be the administrative center, where plans on the enemy
expulsion were made and realized. Gori played an important role in the struggle
for independence.
Throughout centuries Gori was occupied and released disrupted and built
and only in the 40-ies of XVII century was it released from foreign invaders.
The town began to revive. Important cultural-educational centers were
established.
After Russian occupation Gori became a “Mazra”. The national
democratize movement began in 70-ies of XIX century.
Gori fortress is an inseparable part of the rocky hill serving not only to protect the
inhabitant but the state property as well.
From
the opposite bank of the river Mtkvari, Gorijvari church is overlooking Gori
fortress and creates one harmonic whole which always been praised by the
Georgian writers.
Beside of Gorijvari there
were some other churches here:
1.
Giorgi the powerful’s Georgian church (XII century);
2.
St. Mary’s Assumption church (archangel’s) (XVII century);
3.
Annunciation
church (XVIII century);
4.
St. Mary’s church of Okona (was comidened to be the most important one
(date is not known);
5.
John the Babtizer’s church;
6.
Dedophali church ;
7.
Amilakhvari church;
8.
Two churches situating on the south-west and south-east slopes;
9.
Armenian churches:
St. Mary’s church;
St. Mary’s assumption
church;
Resurrection church;
St. Stephen’s church.
During the Soviet regime Gori became one of the most
important industrial cities of Georgia. According to the industrial production
Gori was on the fifth place in the Republic until 1989-90.