Happy TravellerWelcome to Samtredia, a town located in the Imereti region of Georgia. Known for its strategic location as the country’s vital transport hub, Samtredia is a must-visit destination for travelers who want to explore the country’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Situated in a lowland between the rivers Rioni and Tskhenis-Tsqali, Samtredia offers a unique experience for visitors with its humid subtropical climate, mild winters, and hot summers.
History:
Samtredia evolved from a crucial railway junction in the 1870s and acquired town status in 1921. Under Soviet rule, the local economy diversified from transportation to food and wood production. Due to its strategic location, Samtredia played a prominent role in the civil unrest early in the 1990s when anti-Soviet opposition groups blocked the Samtredia junction from July 26 to 31 1990 in order to force the Soviet Georgian leadership to adopt a liberal election code. The junction was again blocked in March–April 1991 by the new government of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, in an attempt to exert pressure on the central Soviet authorities. This blockade, however, inflicted heavy damage not only to the economy of Georgia but to the neighbouring Armenia, which was largely dependent on Georgia’s railways. In 1993, Samtredia became one of the major battlegrounds in the Georgian Civil War in which the forces loyal to the ousted President Gamsakhurdia confronted the post-coup government troops, and briefly controlled the town from October 17 to October 23, 1993, putting all communications to Tbilisi under threat. Although Samtredia has been stable ever since, the post-Soviet crisis resulted in a significant economic decline that have since only been partially reversed.
Climate:
Samtredia has a humid subtropical climate with mild and warm winters and hot summers. The average temperature in the summer is 25 degrees Celsius, while in winter, it drops to 5 degrees Celsius.
Notable people:
Kakha Kaladze is the incumbent mayor of Tbilisi, a former defender of Dynamo Kyiv, A.C. Milan, and the Georgia national football team ex-captain. Andrea Razmadze is a mathematician and co-founder of Tbilisi State University.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or nature, Samtredia has something for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this hidden gem and explore all that it has to offer!
