Sestaponi - Sestaponi

Sestaponi is an important transit city in the Georgian region Imereti, at the confluence of the Kwirila and Dsirula rivers at the eastern end of the Colchian Plain.

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Sestaponi (Georgian ზესტაფონი, English Zestaponi; sometimes also Sestafoni / Zestafoni) is an industrial city and railway hub in the region Imereti, Capital of the administrative district of the same name (Raioni), and important transit city on the west-east main road of Georgia (Tbilisi-Kutaisi-Samtredia-Sukhumi/Potentiometer/Batumi).

The most important branch of industry to this day is the processing of ores from the nearby mining town Chiatura, however, many of these factories have now been shut down and are falling into disrepair or are only working at a fraction of their capacity. Numerous impressive industrial ruins on the outskirts of the city testify to the former economic size.

The city is located at the mouth of the Dsirula River in the Kwirila River at the exit of the valley, at the beginning of the Colchian Plain.

getting there

By plane

Nearest airports with scheduled services: Kutaisi (approx. 65 km), Batumi (approx. 160 km) and Tbilisi (approx. 200 km)

By train

All long-distance trains from Tbilisi to the west of the country (Batumi, Potentiometer, Zugdidi) stop in Sestaponi, there are also some regional trains to Kutaisi, Chiatura / Punch scissors and Chashuri. The train station is in the middle of the city center on the main square.

By bus

Marshtutkas connect Sestaponi with the rest of the country's cities and most of the surrounding areas. The bus station is located at the western end of the city, at the intersection of the city passage with the bypass road, right next to the underpass under the railway line.

In the street

Sestaponi is an important transit city on the east-west main road of Georgia (ს 1 / E 60): along this it is approx. 200 km to Tbilisi, approx. 40 km after Kutaisi, approx. 140 km after Potentiometer and about 160 km after Batumi. Regional connecting roads from Baghdati (approx. 30 km), Chiatura (approx. 40 km) / Satschchere (approx. 60 km) and Charagauli (approx. 25 km) meet this trunk road in Sestaponi. During the main travel season, the highway can be heavily used. Then a lot of cars drive through the city and also strain these streets.

The trunk road (ს 1 / E 60) bypasses the city center to the north, it is advisable to drive through the city - the travel time around or through the center is about the same.

On the trunk road there are petrol stations of the most important chains (Wissol, Socar, Lukoil and Rompetrol), which are open 24 hours. There are also liquid gas filling stations.

mobility

Minibus lines, so-called marshrutkas, operate within the city. In addition, the city is small enough to be able to cover most of the routes on foot. There are no bike paths.

Tourist Attractions

• The City center is a nice ensemble of Stalinist magnificent buildings around a large square that includes a park with a statue. There you will find the theater, the town hall and the train station.

• The Manganese smelter dominates the western part of the city. Several splendid ones Industrial ruins outside the center exude a morbid charm, they are partly decorated with magnificent mosaics and wall reliefs in the style of real socialism. The entrance area to the plant is on the bypass road near the roundabout in the west. The factory opened in 1933 and is still largely in its original condition.

Factory tours are possible on request, it is best to contact the operator directly, Georgian American Alloys. Guided tours through the manganese tunnels in Chiatura set up. A lead time of a few weeks should be allowed for inquiries.

• Schorapani castle ruins, about 7 km east of the city. Little more than the foundation walls remain of this medieval fortress that once guarded the confluence of the Dsirula and Kwirila rivers.last change: not specified

activities

In the western part of the city center, on the railway line, there is a small one Ice rinkwhich only operates in winter.

The local Football club FC Zestaponi is one of the top clubs in the Georgian league and has won several championships in recent years.

Approx. 25 km southwest, in Charagauli, there is a climatic health resort with hiking opportunities.

shop

At the eastern end of the city, where the through-road branches off the bypass, there is a well-stocked supermarket of the Ioli chain. Otherwise, like in the rest of the country, there are ubiquitous small mini markets, some of which are open 24 hours.

The small town of Schroscha, 20 km east in the direction of Tbilisi, is known for its ceramic production. Numerous stalls can be found on the trunk road.

kitchen

Restaurants of low to medium price and quality classes are mainly to be found on the highways, these serve the car and truck drivers passing through.

Today there are numerous standing cafes on the bypass road north of the city center, where you can get good and cheap espresso or cappuccino.

nightlife

accommodation

• Guesthouse Zedafoni, Pushkin Str. 43, 2000 Zestafoni. E-mail: [email protected]. last change: not specified

Work

security

There is no higher crime rate in Sestaponi than in the rest of Georgia. However, due to heavy traffic and sometimes inconsiderate driving, the trunk road is dangerous, not only for cars, but also for pedestrians and cyclists.

health

Practical advice

trips

• Chiatura. Mining town, famous for the numerous cable cars.last change: not specified

• Katskhis Sveti . A monastery on a rock, similar to Meteora in Greece.last change: not specified

• Wani. With the extensive excavations there and the archaeological museum.last change: not specified

• Kutaisi. The capital of the Imereti region, with the Gelati and Bagrati churches.last change: not specified

• Sairme. Climatic health resort and hiking.last change: not specified

• Schroscha. Ceramic market.last change: not specified

literature

Web links