/ / Zhinval reservoir, Georgia: photos, how to get there

Zhinval water reservoir, Georgia: photo, how to get

Georgia - a country with an extraordinary nationalwith color, ancient history, original culture, friendly people and amazingly beautiful landscapes - always attracted the attention of tourists. I would like to come back here to wander through the streets of Tbilisi, go skiing from the mountains, visit the Wine Festival in Kakheti. Moving along the Georgian Military Road, you need to stop to see the country's pearl - the Zhinvali reservoir.

Zhinvalskaya HPP

The reservoir is created by artificial means, afterthe fact that in 1985 the Zhinvalskaya hydroelectric power station was built on the Aragvi River. The reservoir is a source of drinking water and electricity for the capital. The distance from the dam to Tbilisi is 40 km.

Zhinvalskoe reservoir

The dam station is a bulkpebble construction, which is 102 meters high and 415 meters long. Zhinvalskoe reservoir was formed as a result of the fact that the mountain river was blocked. It holds 520 million cubic meters of water. The power plant building is located underground, 4 hydroelectric units are installed in it, which annually produce 484 million kW / hour of electricity. The hydropower plant also supplies water to Mtskheta, Rustavi and the surrounding areas. The volume of water in the reservoir allows irrigation of land in the gorge of the river Iori.

Zhinvali reservoir: the history of the flooded city

Zhinvalskoe reservoir was built on the sitevillage center Zhinvali, which included 18 villages. At the time of Queen Tamara, who ruled in the XII century, it was a large Georgian city. Archaeological excavations testified that even in the Neolithic era, the territory was densely populated. After it was decided in 1971 to build a hydropower station on the Aragvi River, a scientific expedition was organized to complete the excavations at the site of the future lake. However, these works could not be completed; many historical and cultural monuments were under water.

Zhinvalskoye reservoir Georgia

В Средневековье Жинвали находился на перекрестке trade routes. The city had many temples, palaces, residential neighborhoods, good transport infrastructure. Excavations show that many artisans, talented artists and architects lived there. At the site of the ancient settlement, 17 coins from the reign of Queen Tamar were found. Prior to this, only two finds were known, one of which was located in the historical museum in England, and the second in St. Petersburg.

After flooding, the entire ancient city was underwater Scientists have failed to explore 7 or 8 places of worship. Under water remained valuable historical documents, weapons, goldware, church icons. The city gates, which were considered a unique work of art, and the Temple of the Veneration of the Cross of the Lord, built in the XII century, were flooded. When the water descends into the reservoir, a part of the temple becomes visible.

Zhinvalsky reservoir - sight of Georgia

Zhinvalskoe reservoir is a very beautiful placeon the road. From the view that opens from any of its site, is breathtaking. The lake is surrounded on all sides by mountains. The mountains around the reservoir are covered with deciduous and pine forests. Among the trees are dominated by beech, several species of oak, chestnut, yew, pine, there are areas with juniper groves. The shape of the reservoir is reminiscent of a trefoil. The water in the lake is very clean, rich in minerals, has a bright turquoise color, so the residents of Tbilisi can only be envied.

Zhinvalskoe reservoir photo

The mirror surface of the reservoiris 14 square meters. km, and the depth reaches 75 meters. Despite the fact that the Zhinvalskoye reservoir is very rich in fish, fishing is prohibited here, but local people find ways to circumvent these prohibitions.

Georgian Military Road

Georgian Military Highway - Automobile Highway208 km long between Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi. This is the only road leading from Russia through the territory of Georgia to Armenia, except for air links. The path lies through the Main Caucasus Range and often becomes dangerous due to the descent of mudflows. It is still impossible to solve the problem of building an alternative route due to the difficult political situation in the region.

Zhinvalskoe reservoir fishing

The first place where you need to make a stop on the way from Tbilisi to Kakheti is the Zhinval reservoir (Georgia). Далее по трассе находятся Мцхета – столица Грузии during the Middle Ages, numerous temples and monasteries, signal and guard towers and the fortress of Ananuri. In some places, the section of the route hangs over the precipice, bridges are built to cross the rivers.

Ananuri Castle - Landmark of the Georgian Military Road

Picturesque Zhinvalsky reservoir (see photo in the review) - одно из тех мест, которые любят туристы.Next to it is the Ananuri Castle. It was built in the era of early feudalism, in the XVII century, at the confluence of the rivers Vedzathevi and Aragvi and served as a reliable defensive structure, which blocked the road from the Darial Gorge. For a long time, the castle was the residence of the Aragvian Eristavis, representatives of the Georgian nobility, who were ranked third after the royal and princely persons.

Zhinval reservoir how to get to Tbilisi

The upper part of the castle is well preserved to ourdays Here are built two large towers and a number of small ones. All the buildings are surrounded by a fortress wall. One tower has a round shape, currently there are no overlaps. In the large square tower, not only the floors were preserved, but also the steps. At the end of the XVII century, the Assumption Church was built on the territory of the fortress, which is an architectural monument and is protected by UNESCO. The temple has a classic shape and a dome decorated with bunches of grapes and an image of a cross. Inside preserved individual pieces of frescoes and paintings on the walls.

A small piece of old passes by the castle.Georgian Military Highway and Ananursky Bridge, abandoned after the construction of a new highway. The old site was in the flood zone, but when the water subsides, a part of it appears from under the water.

How to get to the reservoir

On the Georgian Military Highway there is a fortressAnanuri and Zhinvali reservoir. How to get from Tbilisi, if the tourist makes an individual trip? The most convenient way is to use a car, but since the track has very difficult descents and ascents and sharp turns over the precipice, it is better to trust local drivers who are well aware of all parts of the road. In addition to the car, you can reach the destination by bus or minibus. They walk in 10 minutes. Travel documents must be bought in the direction of Gudauri or Stepantsminda. You can also choose the direction to Pasanauri.