Kobuleti, Adjara Autonomous Republic, Georgia

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Kobuleti is a town in Adjara, western Georgia, situated on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It is the seat of Kobuleti Municipality and a seaside resort, visited annually by Georgians and many former Soviet Union residents. It is especially popular with Armenian tourists. It was known as Çürüksu during Ottoman rule.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Administrative divisions 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.

Geography The town is situated in the south-western part of Georgia, i.e. the northern part of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. It borders with Ozurgeti Region to the north. The Regional centre is Kobuleti City, which stretches along the Black Sea shore.

Kobuleti Region consists of one municipal, two district and seventeen village councils. There are 48 villages in the region. Representatives of 24 different nationalities live together with Georgians in the region. Kobuleti is known with its traditions, hospitality, climatic areas, mild subtropical climate, ionized maritime air, bright shining sun and warm sea. The unique sandy beach widely inclined to the sea is noted with its marvelous views beautified by sky-scraped endemic pine trees, eucalypts, bamboo, cypress grove, date and cocoa palms.

Nature The Kintrishi and Tikeri reserve areas are unique with their bio-diversity. One can find rare flora in the Ispani marsh.

The surrounding region has diverse soil: seashore lowland is rich in peatbog soil. There are alpine rocks in the highlands, red soil is found in the hill areas. The mountainous area is good for subtropical species.

Kobuleti has several rivers. The most important ones are the Kintrishi River, the Chakvistskali River, the Acharistskali River, the Ochkhamuri River, the Achkva River, and the Dekhva River.

Kintrishi Protected Landscape and Kobuleti Managed Reserve are located in Kobuleti.

Education 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. 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.

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.

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.

Every year in February, the public reading day is celebrated in Kobuleti.

Sport Shukura Kobuleti are a professional football team, playing at the Chele Arena.

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 • Two bicycle cabinets • Chess cabinet

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

Tourist Industry 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.

Types of tourism in the municipality • Marine tourism • Ecotourism • Medical tourism • Cultural tourism • Sports tourism • Rural tourism • Scientific tourism • Pilgrimage tourism • Adventure tourism • Culinary tourism

Economy 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.

Historical landmarks 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.