Zestaponi

Zestaponi is situated at the eastern end of the Kolkheti Plateau and has ancient roots in Georgian history. It sits on the banks of the River Kvirila. In Soviet times, Zestaponi was an industrial centre with several heavy metal factories and still processes large quantities of manganese ore that is taken from the area by train for export.

There are several ancient sites and churches in the surrounding area including at Shorapani, the ‘Sarapanis’ that Jason and the Argonauts were said to have approached in Greek mythology.