Martvili

By Mariam Lomidze, GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 16 October 2026 · Editorial policy

Overview

Martvili is a small town in western Georgia, administrative center of Martvili Municipality, set on the forested foothills where the Abasha and Tekhuri rivers cut through limestone on their way down from the Egrisi (Lechkhumi) range toward the Colchis lowland. It lies roughly 55 minutes by road from Kutaisi, about 3 hours 45 minutes from Tbilisi and around 2 hours 30 minutes from Batumi, making it an easy half-day or full-day addition to an Imereti itinerary. With a population of about 4,425, Martvili is modest in size but carries outsized historical weight: it has been a religious and administrative center since at least the early medieval period.

The town matters for two reasons that rarely overlap elsewhere in Georgia so neatly. First, its monastery complex, known historically as Chkondidi, was for centuries one of the most politically influential ecclesiastical seats in the Kingdom of Georgia, its bishops holding senior positions at the royal court. Second, the Martvili Canyon (also called the Balda Gorge) just outside town has become one of the more photographed natural attractions in Samegrelo and western Georgia, drawing visitors for short boat rides along a narrow, turquoise-green river gorge. GTour includes Martvili in private tours combining the monastery, the canyon and other verified stops in the wider Imereti region.

History

The religious center at Martvili, historically referred to as Chkondidi (from the Georgian for ‘great hornbeam’, after a tree said to have stood on the site), is traditionally associated with the early spread of Christianity in western Georgia, with the surviving cathedral attributed by most accounts to the 7th century and substantially rebuilt in later centuries. By the 11th and 12th centuries the bishop of Chkondidi, titled the Chkondideli, had become one of the most powerful clerics in the unified Kingdom of Georgia, frequently also serving as mtsignobartukhutsesi, effectively the royal chancellor, a dual religious-political role documented in the broader history of the Georgian church, see Chkondidi.

Through the medieval and early modern periods the Chkondidi eparchy remained one of the senior sees of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and the settlement around the monastery functioned primarily as a religious and administrative node for the Odishi (Mingrelian) principality rather than as a commercial town. During the Soviet period the settlement was renamed Gegechkori, after a prominent Bolshevik figure from the region, and administered as a district center; the town reverted to its historic name, Martvili, in 1989 as part of the wider wave of de-Sovietization of place names across Georgia, a change recorded in general reference sources on the town. The monastery itself continued to function intermittently through the Soviet era and was restored to full active use after Georgian independence in 1991, and it remains an active monastic and parish site within the Georgian Orthodox Church today.

The Martvili Canyon, by contrast, has a short history as an organized visitor site. The gorge and its river pools were long known locally but were developed for tourism only in the 2010s, with boat rides and walking paths opened to the public in 2016; the site is now one of the standard stops for visitors travelling between Kutaisi and the Black Sea coast, alongside better-documented destinations covered in GTour’s regional guides.

What to see

Martvili Monastery (Chkondidi)

The monastery complex sits on a wooded hill above the modern town and centers on a cross-domed cathedral whose core construction is generally dated to the early medieval period, with later rebuilding and additions. It was historically the seat of the Chkondideli bishops, among the most powerful clergy-statesmen of the Georgian kingdom. The grounds include a bell tower, monastic cells and a small cemetery, and the church remains in active liturgical use.

Martvili Canyon (Balda Gorge)

A narrow limestone gorge carved by a tributary of the Abasha River, a short drive from the town center, offering a flat-bottomed boat ride of roughly fifteen to twenty minutes along turquoise water beneath sheer rock walls and hanging vegetation. Walking paths along the rim allow views of small waterfalls and pools without taking the boat. The canyon is busiest in late spring and summer when water levels and light conditions are most favorable for the boat trips.

The old town and river bridges

Central Martvili retains a quiet, low-rise character typical of Samegrelo district towns, with a small market, several churches and stone bridges over the Tekhuri river. It is a convenient base for a short walk or coffee stop before or after visiting the canyon and monastery.

Getting there

From Tbilisi, Martvili is reached by driving west on the main Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Samtredia highway and then turning south toward Abasha and Martvili, a trip of about 3 hours 45 minutes by private car; check conditions on GTour’s road status page before departure, particularly in winter. From Kutaisi, the drive is short, around 55 minutes, making Martvili a practical half-day excursion from the city or from Kutaisi International Airport. From Batumi, the journey takes roughly 2 hours 30 minutes via Samtredia and Abasha.

Marshrutkas (shared minivans) run from Kutaisi’s main bus station to Martvili, typically taking around an hour, with onward local transport or taxis needed to reach the canyon itself, which lies a short distance outside the town. There is no passenger train service directly to Martvili; the nearest railway stations are at Kutaisi and Samtredia on the Georgian Railway network. GTour arranges private transfers and guided day tours from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi with an English-speaking guide; see tours for current itineraries.

When to go

Late spring through early autumn, roughly April to October, offers the best conditions for the Martvili Canyon boat rides, with warmer weather and more reliable water levels; the canyon can close to boats after heavy rain or in high water. The monastery and town can be visited year-round. Summer weekends bring the largest crowds to the canyon, so early morning visits are quieter. Winter visits are possible for the monastery and surrounding countryside but the boat ride may not operate.

Where to stay and eat

Martvili itself has limited formal accommodation, and most visitors base themselves in Kutaisi or Zugdidi and visit as a day trip, or combine an overnight stay with other stops in the Imereti region. GTour’s verified register of guesthouses, family-run restaurants and wineries near Martvili and along the Kutaisi–Samegrelo corridor lists more options below, curated for travellers who want checked, English-friendly service; see the region hub and best of selections for current recommendations.

Practical notes

The canyon boat trip usually requires a small entrance and boat fee payable on site; GTour can confirm current arrangements when booking a guided visit. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is expected when entering the monastery church. Mobile signal is generally reliable in the town but can be patchy in the canyon itself. Combining Martvili with nearby Nokalakevi or a Kutaisi city visit makes an efficient full-day route from either Kutaisi or Zugdidi.

Questions travellers ask

Is Martvili in Imereti or Samegrelo?

Martvili sits near the historical and administrative boundary between the two regions and is treated here as part of a wider western Georgia touring area that includes Imereti; local sources vary in how they classify the municipality, so travellers should not be surprised to see it referenced under either regional heading.

How long does the Martvili Canyon boat ride take?

The guided boat trip through the gorge typically lasts about fifteen to twenty minutes, though total time on site, including walking the rim paths and queueing, is usually closer to an hour.

Can Martvili be visited as a day trip from Kutaisi?

Yes. At under an hour’s drive from Kutaisi, Martvili Monastery and the canyon can comfortably be visited together in half a day, leaving time to combine the trip with other Imereti sights on the same day.

Is the Martvili Monastery still an active religious site?

Yes, the monastery remains an active parish and monastic site within the Georgian Orthodox Church, and services are held regularly, so visitors should be respectful of ongoing worship during a visit.

Do I need a guide to visit Martvili Canyon?

A guide is not required, as the boat rides are run on site by local operators, but a private guide or driver is useful for combining the canyon with the monastery and other regional stops in one efficient route, which GTour can arrange.

What was Martvili called during the Soviet period?

The town was renamed Gegechkori during the Soviet era, after a Bolshevik figure from the region, and reverted to its historic name, Martvili, in 1989.

Is there a train station in Martvili?

No, there is no direct passenger rail service to Martvili; the nearest stations are at Kutaisi and Samtredia, from where onward travel is by road.

What is the best time of year for photographs at the canyon?

Late spring and early summer generally offer the clearest water and most vivid turquoise color, though conditions depend on recent rainfall, so checking current water levels before traveling is advisable.

Are there hotels directly in Martvili town?

Accommodation options in the town itself are limited; most visitors stay overnight in Kutaisi or nearby towns and visit Martvili as a day excursion, using GTour’s verified register for checked options in the wider area.

Sources

• Georgia Travel – Martvili Canyon
• Agency of Protected Areas – Martvili Canyon Natural Monument
• UNESCO Tentative List – Georgia
• Georgian National Tourism Administration — Martvili
• Georgian National Tourism Administration — Imereti region
• Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia — national parks