Samtskhe–Javakheti – historic lands of Meskheti and Javakheti
Samtskhe–Javakheti unites the historic Georgian provinces of Meskheti (Samtskhe), Javakheti and Tori, highland lands with a rich medieval heritage – among them the cave monastery of Vardzia, carved into a cliff above the Mtkvari River. The present region was formed in the mid-1990s.
The 20th century brought hardship: after Georgia came under Soviet control in 1921, the Muslim Meskhetians were deported to Central Asia under Stalin, and tens of thousands lost their lives – a painful chapter remembered with respect. Today the region, centred on Akhaltsikhe, is a crossroads of cultures and important transport routes. Share your family memories and village stories with the community!