Ozurgeti: Theater, Museums, and Regional Cuisine

A stay in Ozurgeti can put cultural history collections, folklore, theater, and regional cuisine at the center of your trip. When looking for a hotel, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on: collections and historic architecture offer different insights than a planned concert or theater evening, while local dishes provide a culinary perspective.

History in collections and traces of time

The Ozurgeti History Museum displays around 7,000 objects. They span the period from the 9th century BC to the present day. These include archaeological material, finds from Vashnari, and ancient coins, as well as ethnographic and documentary collections, works of fine art, and old printed works. Material finds, written records, and artistic works thus offer different insights into the past. Several time periods need to be distinguished when considering Ozurgeti’s historical context: settlements date back to the Bronze Age, while written references to the city appear in documents from the 16th century onward.

The nearby Shalva Radiani Ethnographic Museum in the village of Dvabzu offers another perspective on everyday Gurian culture. A traditional Gurian house has been reconstructed there, complete with a cooking area, barn, granary, wine cellar, and well. Gurian household items and Shalva Radiani’s personal belongings are also part of the collection. The reconstructed house illustrates the rooms and areas of a traditional Gurian household.

Folklore, theater, and fine art

The Ozurgeti Folklore Center documents Guria’s cultural history and celebrates Georgian culture. Its archives include original musical scores, concert recordings, and photographs: music and cultural memory are represented here in different media. The center also has a recording studio, exhibition and concert halls, and a school for conductors. Music evenings, exhibitions of traditional art, and the Black Sea International Folklore Festival are held there. Facilities may change and event programs may vary. If you are planning to visit a particular venue or event, check opening arrangements and dates for your travel dates in advance.

The Ozurgeti State Drama Theatre has the status of a cultural monument and is housed in a building in the ancient Greek style. Performances were held in this building in 1962. The two-tier auditorium has 750 seats and is decorated with Georgian ornaments. The theater company continues to stage performances, but the program may vary. If you are planning a theater evening, check the announced performances for your travel dates. The Ozurgeti Fine Art Centre complements the performing arts with works by Georgian artists.

Regional cuisine and wine

The cuisine also offers specific regional points of reference. Gurian ghvezeli is associated with the local cuisine of Ozurgeti and is considered a crescent-shaped pastry; lobio is also part of the local cuisine. Chkhaveri, Sakmiela, Jani, Skhilatubani, and Tsolikouri are considered local wines that pair well with pkhaleuli. These names give you specific points of reference if you want to explore the area’s food and drink. Tea has a broader geographical association: black Gurian tea, rolled black tea, and green tea are associated with the Guria region. This distinguishes dishes associated with Ozurgeti from teas representing Guria as a whole.

Discover more destinations: Ureki, Grigoleti, Lanchkhuti, Shekvetili

For the broader travel overview: Guria.