Travel Guide Zestaphoni

Zestaphoni is the third town of Imérétie and one of its largest industrial centres. It developed in colonial times with the setting up of the manganese processing industry from the nearby Tchiatoura mountain town. This industry has given the city a city lourd facies in the Soviet city; the economy that had weakened in the 1980 s, Zestaphoni was devastated with the consequences of poverty, depopulation and huge factories abandoned… The time for the civil war was difficult for the city. Today, its military base, one of the country's largest, contributes to maintaining a small economy. Rusted plants and HOUSING bars will frighten many visitors, but what must be retained from Zestaphoni is its privileged natural setting, at the outlet of three large mountain valleys: La (Kharagaouli) separating Grand and Petit Caucasus, Dziroula and Qvirila (Tchiatoura Valley). Beyond it begins the large plain of Colchide, heart of the Imérétie.