AKHALKALAKI

This kartlien village (not to be confused with its namesake of Djavakhétie), beautifully situated on the foothills of the Chaîne chain, at the foot of arid hills, has several interesting monuments.

Just above the village, the small chapel of Pavnissi, with remarkable green stones (th - th centuries).

Two kilometres above the village is the magnificent, imposing church of Ertatsminda dating back to the th and th centuries.

After Akhalkalaki, towards the west, lies the small (adjoining) village of Garikhoula, where a manor house built in the th century by a Polish architect is located. Artists from the Academy of the Arts in Tbilisi have elected them, and there is a regular visit to «Art Villa Garikhoula» of artistic Events, festivals and meetings.

For more information on these festivals, visit www.garikula.org