Day 181: Kutaisi

Oct 1 - Kutaisi is touted as being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, though the evidence seems thin and I do not see it listed on several references of ‘oldest cities’. It does occupy a preferable spot, at the base of the Caucasus Mountains to the north, and the confluence of the Rioni and Kvirila River to the south. The plains to the south and east open up (an area called the Colchis Plain), providing a well watered expanse of agricultural land that extends west to the Black Sea. In this sense it provides a strong contrast with the eastern part of Georgia, with its hilly, arid terrain that seems to struggle with arable land.

Stop by the Kutaisi Market, which is a vast covered complex, thankfully almost devoid of tourist shops. Several warehouse-sized rooms are dedicated to vegetables, while another section has clothing (much of it, especially the shoes, appear used).

Outside the underground section of the market is a huge bas relief that covered the side of a building. It is named Kolkheti and was designed in Soviet times by artist Bernard Nebieridze (though erected only in 1995).