Guria – sovereign Principality of Guria from 1463
After 1463, Guria became a sovereign principality independent of the Kingdom of Georgia, ruled by a branch of the Vardanidze-Dadiani house known as the Gurieli. At its height it included modern Guria and much of Adjara with Batumi, before conflicts with the Ottoman Empire reduced and devastated it.
In antiquity the land belonged to Colchis, the kingdom of the Golden Fleece legend, and was a source of iron, copper and gold. A Russian protectorate followed in 1810, and in 1829 the principality was annexed by Russia; uprisings came in 1819 and 1841. Today Guria, with Ozurgeti as its capital, lies on the Black Sea. Share your local stories and songs with the community!