Overview
Ozurgeti is a city and the administrative center of Ozurgeti Municipality, serving as the capital of the Guria region in western Georgia. Historically known as Macharadze or Makharadze (in honor of Filipp Makharadze) during a significant part of the 20th century, it reverted to its original name in 1989. Ozurgeti is recognized as a regional hub for tea and hazelnut processing. The city and its surrounding municipality boast a rich historical heritage, diverse natural landscapes, and a vibrant local culture. Agriculture is a cornerstone of the local economy, with favorable conditions for tea, citrus, corn, and hazelnut cultivation. The area is also known for unique seaside and mountain resorts like Ureki and Gomismta.
Geographical Location
Ozurgeti Municipality is situated in the Guria region of western Georgia. The city of Ozurgeti itself lies at an elevation of about 80 to 200 meters above sea level, primarily located between the Bzhuzhi and Natanebi rivers. A notable feature is that the Natanebi River flows partly subterranean beneath the city. The city is characterized by a layout across three broad terraces: the lowest level hosts the market district, the middle terrace is home to most public and municipal buildings, and the highest level consists mainly of private residences.
The municipality covers an area of approximately 675 square kilometers. It is bordered by the Black Sea to the west, the Adjara-Guria mountain range and the Choloki River (forming a border with the Autonomous Republic of Adjara) to the south, Chokhatauri Municipality to the east, and Lanchkhuti Municipality to the north. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate due to its proximity to the Black Sea and the surrounding high ridges, leading to significant rainfall throughout the year. The highest point in the municipality is Sakornia Mountain, reaching an elevation of 2,756 meters. The area is rich in forests, with deciduous trees found at lower altitudes and coniferous forests higher up.
History
The history of human settlement in the Ozurgeti area dates back to ancient times, with archaeological discoveries of Bronze Age settlements and workshops. Ozurgeti is first mentioned by its current name in historical sources in the 16th century (1578 in the “New Georgian Chronicles”). It soon became the center of the Principality of Guria, serving as an important trading hub and the residence of the Gurieli ruling dynasty. The “Ozurgeti Treasure,” a hoard of 270 silver coins found under the city, attests to its historical significance as a trading center.
In 1846, Ozurgeti was officially designated as a city within the Russian Empire and became the administrative center of the Ozurgeti Uyezd (district) of the Kutaisi Governorate. It played a strategic role during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78. The 19th century also saw Ozurgeti emerge as a center for tea production and citrus cultivation in Georgia. In 1905, during the Russian Revolution, Ozurgeti was a center of the Georgian Social-Democratic Movement and the capital of the short-lived “Gurian Republic.”
From 1934 to 1989, the city (and the surrounding district) was named Makharadze, after the Georgian Bolshevik leader Filipp Makharadze. Much of the city’s current layout and architecture were established during the Soviet era. The railway connecting Ozurgeti to the rest of the country was built in 1923. The region became a prime area for Georgian tea production during Soviet times. Ozurgeti reverted to its historical name in 1989. The Ozurgeti Drama Theatre, founded in 1868, and the Ozurgeti History Museum, opened in 1936 (which notably houses a sword said to have belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte), are significant cultural landmarks.
Population
As of the 2014 Georgian census, the city of Ozurgeti had a population of 14,785. The broader Ozurgeti Municipality had a population of 62,863 according to the same census. More recent estimates for the municipality (January 1, 2020) indicated a population of approximately 59,913, and by 2023, around 57,900.
Based on the 2014 census data for the Ozurgeti Municipality, Georgians constituted the vast majority of the population (around 97.19%), with smaller Armenian (around 1.77%) and Russian (around 0.59%) communities, among others. In terms of religious affiliation, Orthodox Christianity was predominant (around 85.4%), with a significant Muslim minority (around 12.3%).
There is also a village named Ozurgeti within the municipality, distinct from the city, which had a population of 1,388 in 2014. This village was also named Makharadze from 1930 to 1989.
Politics
Historically, Ozurgeti served as the political and administrative heart of the Principality of Guria. Under the Russian Empire, it was an important administrative center (Uyezd). During the early 20th century, it was a focal point of significant socio-political movements, including the Gurian Republic.
In the context of Georgia’s modern administrative structure, Ozurgeti Municipality functions with a system of local self-government. This involves a Municipal Assembly (Sakrebulo), which is a representative body elected by the local population. This system underscores the principle of decentralized governance, where local authorities are responsible for addressing the needs and development of the municipality. The city of Ozurgeti also serves as the administrative seat for the regional governor of Guria, who represents the central government at the regional level.
Administrative Divisions
Ozurgeti Municipality is an administrative-territorial unit within the Guria region. The city of Ozurgeti is its administrative center. The municipality was formally established as a separate region (raion) in 1930 (though sources also mention 1929).
As of recent data, the Ozurgeti Municipality comprises the city of Ozurgeti and numerous villages, often grouped into 29 territorial (administrative) units. These units include: Ozurgeti city, Laituri, Naruja, Nasakirali, Ureki, Askana, Baileti, Bakhvi, Bokhvauri, Gurianta, Dvabzu, Vakijvari, Tkhilnari, Konchkati, Likhauri, Makvaneti, Melekeduri, Meria, Mtispiri, Nagomari, Natanebi, Ozurgeti (village), Silauri, and Shemokmedi. In total, there are around 73 settlements within the municipality, including 4 small towns (daba) and numerous villages.
