Kobuleti (Georgian: ქობულეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი) is a district of Georgia, in the autonomous republic of Adjara. Its main town is Kobuleti.
Since 1921, the municipality's territory has been included in the Kobuleti Mazra of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. In 1930, it was formed as a separate district. In 1962-64, it was included in the Chakvi district, with the centre in the Chakvi borough. On April 7, 1964, the Chakvi district was abolished, and the Kobuleti district was re-established with the centre in the city of Kobuleti. This administrative status was maintained until the restoration of Georgia's independence. Since 2006, after the legislative reform of the self-government system, Kobuleti district has been renamed Kobuleti municipality.[2]
Contents
History
Kobuleti municipality is a settlement with a centuries-old past. It has been inhabited since ancient times. Stone Age settlements, Early Bronze Age materials, Bronze Age archaeological monuments, ancient ruins, and other materials reflecting the richest historical past are abundantly found here.
In the middle of the 17th century, Gurians granted Kobuleti and its surroundings to Tavdgiridzes, who owned it until the 70s of the 18th century. After the Kuchuk-Kainarji truce, the Ottoman Empire occupied Kvemo Guria and Kobuleti. During Ottoman rule, the city was given the Turkish name Çürüksu. Churuk-Su Kaza was created, which was included in the Sanjak of Lazistan.[2][3]
After the Russo-Ottoman war in 1877-1878, Kobuleti, as well as the entire Adjara, was taken over by the Russian Empire. In the second half of the 19th century, Kobuleti became an elite resort. By decree of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, the coastal part was given to the commanders-in-chief who distinguished themselves during the Russian-Turkish operation. High-ranking officials began developing the coastal Kobuleti coastal area with luxurious country houses. The healthy climate of Kobuleti became known in just a few years.[2][3]
After the Sovietization of Georgia, the houses of the aristocrats came under the ownership of the red commissars. In 1923, Kobuleti received the status of a resort. In 1944, Kobuleti received the status of a city.[2][3]
During the Soviet period, the Kobuleti district was one of the most important centres of citrus and tea production throughout the Soviet Union. At the same time, other branches of agriculture were also well developed here - fruit growing, horticulture, cattle breeding, sericulture, beekeeping, production of new varieties of breeding and agricultural crops, the processing and production of citrus fruits and tea, etc., were promoted here. Kobuleti district has gained a lot of popularity due to its beach and warm summer as a resort and recreation centre. Kobuleti town turned into a resort of union importance, and Tsikhisdziri into a resort of national importance. In the same period, eco-tourism in the Kintrish Nature Reserve was developed.[2][3]
Administrative divisions and population
Kobuleti Municipality is a self-governing entity with administrative boundaries and an administrative centre - the city of Kobuleti.
Self-governing bodies of the municipality are represented by the municipal council and the mayor's office. Kobuleti Municipality includes 21 territorial units. Settlements consist of one city Kobuleti, two boroughs, and 17 other territorial bodies, which include 48 villages. The population is 70,700 people,[4] and the average density is 126.5 people per 1 km².
Kobuleti municipality is located 10 m above sea level. Its area is 711.8 sq. km. The average annual temperature is 13–15 °C. The average amount of precipitation is 2500–3000 mm per year. The climate is subtropical.[5]
The municipality is located in the southwestern part of Georgia and in the northern part of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. It is located between the Black Sea, the Cholok River and the Meskheti Range. The municipality borders Ozurgeti municipality from the north (border length 55 km), Khelvachauri municipality from the southwest (border length 24 km), Keda municipality from the south (border length 33 km), Shuakhevi municipality from the southeast (border length 21 km). The length of the coastal line is 24 km. The municipality occupies an area of 711.8 km². Twenty-one thousand one hundred seventy thousand square meters of land is used for agricultural and residential purposes, which is 29.4% of the entire municipality. Protected areas cover 30,252 hectares which are 42% of the entire municipality.[6]
Politics
Kobuleti Municipal Assembly (Georgian: ქობულეთის საკრებულო, Kobuletis Sakrebulo) is a representative body in Kobuleti Municipality, consisting of 39 members which is elected every four years. The last election was held in October 2021. Levan Zoidze of Georgian Dream was elected mayor.
There are 29 preschools and 46 public and three private schools in Kobuleti municipality. As of 2022, 3,300 children are enrolled in preschools, and 12,500 students study in schools.[9]
JSC Kobuleti Culture Centre and its library department, as well as a student youth house, are functioning in the municipality. There is a college Akhali Talgha in the municipality.[9]
Culture
In Kobuleti Municipality is functioning Kobuleti Museum, which combines expositions on the history of education, cultural history, history and archaeology of Kobuleti, and ethnography. The works of artist and sculptor Vazha Verulidze are exhibited here.[10]
The following institutions operate on the territory of the municipality:
Folk ensemble Kobuleti
Guram Tamazashvili song and dance ensemble Mkhedruli
Children's choreographic ensemble Saunje
Folk instruments school Changi
New Rhythms, a club for learning rhythmic dances
Choirmaster department
Kakuti choreographic ensemble
Suliko ensemble, named after S. Mamulaishvili
Alilo vocal group at the Leghva Rural Club
Vakhtanguri ensemble in Dagva
Adilo vocal group in Alambari Rural Club
Shvarden vocal ensemble in Khala Culture House
The vocal group at the Tsikhisdziri House of Culture
Choreographic ensemble Sikharuli in Zedi Achkva.
Choreographic ensemble Choloki
Choreographic Ensemble Chakura at the Kobuleti Rural Club
Choreographic ensemble Taiguli in Tsetskhlauri.[11]
Every year in February, the public reading day is celebrated in Kobuleti.[12]
Visitors can learn about local culture, see the exhibitions, taste dishes characteristic of local cuisine, and buy products and souvenirs.
As part of the festival, sports and culinary competitions and concerts are organized.[13]
Summer Festival
July
Every year at the beginning of summer, Kobuleti hosts a summer festival, the main goal of which is to create a summer, relaxing and fun mood. Local and guest bands and DJs create a fun atmosphere for the festival guests throughout the day.
Various summer activities are taking place in parallel with the concert. There is a special corner for children, where animators prepare a lot of interesting games for the little guests of the festival.
There are seasonal open cafes on the beach, where you can taste different types of Georgian and European, as well as traditional Kobuletian food and sweets. Fire and balloon shows, bonfires on the beach, thousands of colourful helium balloons into the sky, and the beautiful fireworks make the festival more colourful.[14]
International Bird Watching Festival
September - October
The festival brings together ornithologists and bird watchers from different countries, who have the opportunity to observe more than a million birds of prey migrating through the world's third-largest migration corridor. At the same time, lectures and seminars are held by local and invited specialists.[15]
"Chakvistavoba"
September
The public festival Chakvistavoba is celebrated in the village of Chakvistavi every year, where concerts and sports competitions in backgammon and arm wrestling are held, and an exhibition of handicrafts is organized. Local vocal-choreographic ensembles, individual performers, local entrepreneurs and athletes participate in the event.[16]
"Mandarinoba"
November
Every year in November, the Mandarinoba festival is organized, which combines the tradition of citrus harvesting and the field of hospitality. At the festival, guests can pick mandarins in the citrus garden, make lemonade, attend Georgian cooking master classes and listen to live music.[17]
Sport
JSC "Kobuleti Sports School" operates in Kobuleti Municipality, which has the following sports infrastructure:
A well-equipped mini-football stadium with an artificial cover
Two wrestling halls in the city of Kobuleti and the village of Kvirike
Three republican tournaments are organized by the sports school:
Republican tournament named after Vaso Garozashvili in freestyle wrestling
Republican tournament named after Rostom Melashvili in freestyle wrestling
Republican tournament named after Rezo Basilia in weightlifting
Tourism
There is a tourism information centre in the municipality, which provides foreign and local visitors with the necessary information about attractions, tourist infrastructure, architectural and archaeological monuments, cultural events, festivals, public holidays, protected areas, transport, and other issues. The centre also helps visitors plan their preferred tours.
The leading sectors of the economy are tourism and agriculture. Employment sectors are both public and private. Tourism in rural areas is in the stage of development. The main areas of agriculture are citrus growing, tea growing, horticulture, and animal husbandry. Small processing and food industry enterprises operate in the municipality. Service and trade are the most advanced in the municipality.[9]
Historical landmarks and sightseeing
Kintrish protected areas, Mtirala National Park and Kobuleti protected areas are located on the territory of the municipality. Important historical monuments on the territory of the municipality are Petra Fortress, Mamuka Fortress, Chekhedana Church, Khinotsminda Monastery, Kvirike Mosque, Tetrosani Monastery, Elia Fortress, Pichvnari Ancient Settlement and others.
Notable people
Photo
Name
Years
Description
Davit Khakhutaishvili
1924-1999
Georgian historian, archaeologist, member-correspondent of the Georgian Academy of Sciences[18]
Georgia
Adjara
