 Old bridge over the Iori river | ||
no picture on Wikidata:  | ||
| სართიჭალა (Sartichala, Sartitschala); until 1941: Marienfeld | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Kwemo Kartli | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 7000 | |
| no value for residents on Wikidata: | ||
| height | 680 | |
other value for height on Wikidata: 680 m  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Sartichala (Georgian სართიჭალა, English Sartichala) is a former settlement of the Caucasus Germans in the Raion Gardabani in the Georgian administrative region Kwemo Kartli. Until 1941 the village was known under the name Marienfeld.
background
Like some other settlements in the region, Marienfeld was founded in the early 19th century by German settlers from Baden Württemberg. After the attack by the German Wehrmacht on the Soviet Union, they had to leave their homes and were forcibly relocated to Central Asia by Stalin. As a result, the village was renamed to its current name, Georgians settled in the village.
Today the population of the large town, which lives mainly from agriculture, consists of 90% ethnic Georgians. After 1990, several large food processing companies were established here, such as a pig breeding facility with a slaughterhouse and a tree setting school. In addition, due to its proximity to Tbilisi, the town is popular as a residence for the wealthier capital city dwellers.
getting there
By plane
The Tbilisi Airport is located about 25 km west of Sartitschala, you just follow the Kakheti trunk road straight ahead.
By train
The route of the Kakheti Railway (Tbilisi-Gurjaani) runs about 2 km south of the village, there is also a train station. However, there is no passenger traffic on this railway line (as of 6/2014).
By bus
Minibuses to Sartitschala start in Tbilisi from Isani bus station. Since the village is located directly on the Kakheti trunk road, many other marshrutkas also pass Sartitschala, so you can also get buses from / to without problems Sighnaghi, Gurjaani, Lagodechi or Sagaredscho and get off in Sartitschala (in this case, however, the full fare to the bus destination is usually to be paid). Minibuses after Telavi However, mostly drive over the Gombori pass and drive therefore Not by Sartitschala!
If you want to leave, you can try to stop a bus on the main road that is going in the desired direction. But because marshrutkas only leave the start when they are completely full, it can take a while to catch a minibus with a free space.
In the street
Sartitschala is right on the Fernstraße ს 5 (Kakheti Fernstraße)that of Tbilisi to Lagodechi leads. About 5 km west of Sartitschala branches off the ს 5, the well-developed but curvy one Regional road შ 38 over the Gombori pass to Telavi from. The runs another 10 km to the west Tbilisi bypass ს 9, the Rustavi With Mtskheta connects.
mobility
In town on foot, in the surrounding area with minibuses or by taxi or hitchhiking if you don't have your own car.
Tourist Attractions
There is little to see in the village itself. The old concrete arch bridge east of the village, which spans the river Iori, is interesting for fans of bridge building. It was built in the 1930s. Today the trunk road runs a few meters south over a new bridge.
The following attractions can be found in the vicinity:
- The Ghwataeba monastery (Access from Norio, 3 km gravel road) goes back to the 5th-6th Century, it is popularly called Martkopi Monastery. However, it is well away from the village of Martkopi, the name comes from the founder of the monastery, Anton Martkopeli, one of the 13 Assyrian fathers who founded numerous churches in the region (including Dawit Gareja, Shuamta, Ikalto). A little above the monastery there is a defensive tower, the St. Antons Tower (ანტონწმინდის კოშკა, Antonzmindis Koschka) 1
- In the village Martkopi are the remains of a Domed church From the 18th century.
- Martkopi Kurgane (Ulewari) - the burial grounds of the Trialeti culture (2200-1500 BC) are north of the village on the slope of the mountain range.
- Norio local museum2
- Gamardschweba Church3
- Azeri cemetery of Kalachalari - On the road from Tbilisi to Rustavi on the left bank of Mtkvari there is an old Azeri cemetery with tombstones and mausoleums from the 19th century. 4
Already in Kakheti (Raion Sagaredscho):
- Udscharma castle ruins
Udscharma
The Udscharma castle ruins (უჯარმისციხე; Udzharmiszikhe) is located a few kilometers north of the village of Udscharma (უჯარმა, engl. Ujarma) in the Raion Sagaredscho in the region Kakheti on the regional road over the Gombori pass Telavi. It is right in a tight bend and cannot be overlooked from the road. From the parking lot you have to take a short but steep ascent to the ruins. 5
The fortress, together with a city below, was built in the 3rd-4th centuries. Created in the 18th century to protect the gorge of the Iori River from invading Persians and Arabs. During the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgassali, the fortress was expanded into a residence. In 914 Usharma was conquered by the Arabs and the fortress was destroyed. A small settlement was built in the ruins. In the 12th century the fortress was bought by the Georgian King Giorgi III. renewed, but repeatedly destroyed in the following centuries.
activities
Rafting or canoeing on the Iori River, hiking in the mountains.
shop
In Sartitschala, as in the other towns, there are the usual mini markets, and depending on the season, fruit and vegetables are also offered next to the street. You can also find one or the other bakery for Tonis Puri as well as house slaughterhouse with street sales of meat.
Larger shopping centers can be found in Tbilisi, for example the Lilo Mall is only about 20 km from Sartitschala.
kitchen
The favorable location of Sartitschala on the trunk road Kakheti It is thanks to the fact that numerous excursion restaurants have settled there, which Tbilisi people like to populate, especially on weekends. The following restaurant is particularly recommended:
- 1 Tschakuna Papas Dukani (ჩხაკუნა პაპას დუქანი), Right on ს 5, about 500 m southwest of the Iori Bridge on the south side of the street. Tel.: 995 790 613110. Nice outdoor dining area, good and inexpensive regional cuisine (specialty: Chaschlama - boiled beef). Overcrowded on weekends, a reservation is recommended. If the restaurant is full, the is right across the street.
- Salchino restaurant
Below the castle ruins of Udscharma there are some picnic tables with fire pits, where you can grill your own Mzwadi. You must bring your own groceries and other picnic equipment.
nightlife
accommodation
health
Practical advice
trips
Sartitschala is very conveniently located, especially if you are traveling with your own car. The village is ideal as a stopover on a day trip from Tbilisi to Kakheti at. The following destinations are nearby:
- Dawit Gareja
- Ninozminda Cathedral at Sagaredscho
- Telavi with the monastery complexes Schuamta, Ikalto, Gremi, Nekressi and Alawerdi
- Sighnaghi
- Gurjaani with the Kwelatsminda Cathedral
- Steel city Rustavi
