The city of Kutaisi is located in the western part of Georgia and is situated on the Rioni River. The population of Kutaisi is estimated to be nearly 200,000 inhabitants. Interestingly, Kutaisi is among the ten ancient cities of Europe.
When was Kutaisi founded? To find out, we must turn to documentary evidence — chronicles and books — that have survived to this day. Do you know when this beautiful Georgian city was first mentioned? In the ancient work "Argonautica" (by Apollonius of Rhodes), it is said that the Argonauts were heading exactly here, to Kutaisi, where the legendary Golden Fleece was kept. Back in the 3rd century BC, the city was the capital of the wealthy Kingdom of Colchis and had different names, somewhat similar to the modern one: Kutaya, Aia, Kotiaion, Kutatisium.
The most ancient place in Kutaisi, where, according to historians, the first settlement appeared, is the Ukemerion Hill, located on the right bank. On this hill in the XI century Bagrat's temple was erected, not far from which fortifications of the city were built, the remains of which can still be seen today.
