Gardabani

Gardabani is an industrial town of around 11,000 inhabitants in Georgia's south-eastern Kvemo Kartli region, some 35 kilometres south-east of Tbilisi and only a few kilometres from the border with Azerbaijan. It lies on the Mtkvari (Kura) River in a semi-arid steppe plain made fertile by irrigation canals fed from the Sioni reservoir. The town was founded in the late Soviet period as a service base for one of the country's largest power plants, the Gardabani Thermal Power Station, whose gas, fuel-oil and more recently combined-cycle units cover a significant share of Georgia's electricity demand. Alongside these, an oil refinery, a gas compressor station and logistics centres cluster around the rail junction towards Azerbaijan. The town's multi-ethnic population, Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Russians, Armenians and Greeks, reflects this strategic function. In the surroundings the Gardabani Nature Reserve, with its riparian forests along the Mtkvari, the Sioni reservoir with its bird-watching points and the medieval church ruins from the era of King David IV are well worth a visit.

Nearby cities

Rustavi

Rustavi is a major industrial city in southeastern Georgia on the Kura River.

Marneuli

Marneuli is the administrative center of a multicultural region in Kvemo Kartli, with a predominantly Azerbaijani population.

Bolnisi

Bolnisi is a town in Kvemo Kartli, founded by German settlers in the 19th century as Katharinenfeld.

Sagarejo

Sagarejo is the gateway to the Kakheti wine region and a city with an agricultural character.

Yenokavan

A picturesque mountain village that has developed into the center for ecotourism and outdoor adventures in Armenia.

Ijevan

Ijevan is a forested city in northeastern Armenia, famous for its carpets, wine, and scenic landscapes.

Mtskheta

Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and the former capital of the Iberian kingdom.

Tianeti

Tianeti is a tranquil rural town in the Iori River valley, characterized by rolling green hills, traditional agriculture, and an authenti…

Telavi

Telavi is the historical and administrative center of the Kakheti wine region.

Dilijan

Often called the 'Armenian Switzerland', Dilijan is a spa town surrounded by dense forests and national parks.

History & landmarks

Dmanisi

A world-renowned archaeological site where some of the oldest hominin fossils outside Africa were discovered.

Akhtala Fortress

A 10th-century fortified monastery that played a crucial role in protecting the northwestern regions.

Haghartsin Monastery

A 13th-century monastery complex hidden in the lush, emerald forests of Dilijan National Park.

Nature

Debed River

The Debed flows through deep, forested gorges in northern Armenia towards Georgia.

Aragvi River

The Aragvi meanders through the breathtaking landscape of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, carving deep valleys along its course.

Lake Parz

Lake Parz is a small forest lake in Dilijan National Park, known for its crystal-clear water.

More places

Gardabani Thermal Power Plant

The combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Gardabani ensures Georgia's energy security, especially during winter.

Rustavi Metallurgical Plant

The Rustavi Metallurgical Plant is Georgia's largest heavy industry center, specializing in steel and iron production.

Mount Didgori

Didgori is known less for its height than for its immense historical significance.

Madneuli Copper-Gold Mine

The Madneuli mine near Kazreti is Georgia's most important source of copper and gold, operated as an open-pit mine.

Didgori Monument

The Didgori Monument marks the historic battlefield where King David the Builder won an unexpected and overwhelming victory over the mass…

Algeti National Park

The area in the forested valley of the Algeti River offers a charming combination of nature and historical monuments.

Trialeti Range

The Trialeti Range is an elongated volcanic mountain range in the Lesser Caucasus.

Dashbashi Canyon

The picturesque Dashbashi Canyon attracts visitors with its numerous cascading waterfalls.