Gokio

Geography and Location

Gokio is a village located in the Akhalkalaki Municipality of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia. Situated on the Akhalkalaki Plateau at an elevation of 1760 meters above sea level, the village lies along the banks of the Gokiostsqali River, a tributary of the Chobareti River. It is positioned approximately 17-24 kilometers northwest of the municipal center, Akhalkalaki.

Historical Heritage

The village is rich in historical monuments that testify to its long-standing significance in the Javakheti region. Notable landmarks include the ruins of two ancient churches surrounded by fortification walls.

• The Small Church: Features a distinctive relief carving of a cross at its southern entrance.
• The Large Church: Built from finely hewn stone, measuring roughly 20m by 12m, with four surviving pilasters.

The surrounding area contains traditional gravestones shaped like horses and rams, which are iconic examples of local medieval stonemasonry.

Archaeological Significance

Archaeological explorations in and around Gokio have yielded fragments of pottery dating from the Late Bronze Age through the feudal era. These findings suggest that the area has been a site of human habitation for millennia, serving as a crossroads of cultures on the high plateau.