Rustavi

Rustavi, with around 125,000 inhabitants, is Georgia's fourth-largest city, lying some 25 kilometres south-east of Tbilisi on the Mtkvari (Kura) River in the Kvemo Kartli region. Although a Sasanian fortress called Bostan-Kalaki stood on the site as early as the 4th century and the town is mentioned in several medieval sources, modern Rustavi is essentially a Soviet creation, refounded in 1948 as a flagship industrial centre. Its core was the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant, producing steel from Azerbaijani ore and Georgian coal for the entire Soviet Union, surrounded by large chemical, cement and engineering works. The cityscape is sharply divided into a Stalinist neoclassical Old Town north of the river and a vast modernist New Town to the south. Today, alongside heavy industry, Rustavi is known for the Rustavi International Motorpark, an FIA-grade circuit hosting touring-car and single-seater races. The remains of a medieval citadel above the river and the city's history museum recall the deeper roots of this strategic region.

Nearby cities

Marneuli

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

Gardabani

Gardabani is an industrial city near the Azerbaijani border, operating an important thermal power plant.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

More places

Rustavi Metallurgical Plant

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

Gardabani Thermal Power Plant

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

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.