Gokio

Gokio is an agricultural settlement situated in the Akhalkalaki Municipality of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia. It serves as a rural community on the Akhalkalaki Plateau, with local life centered around traditional farming and livestock rearing, reflective of the wider regional economy of the Javakheti highland.

Geography and Location

Positioned at an elevation of 1760 meters above sea level, the village occupies the high-altitude landscape characteristic of the southern volcanic plateau. The terrain is defined by the Gokiostsqali River, a tributary of the Chobareti River, which provides the primary hydrological features for the surrounding agricultural lands. Gokio is located approximately 17–24 kilometers northwest of the municipal center, Akhalkalaki. Access is provided by local roads connecting the village to the broader municipal network.

Historical and Cultural Heritage

The village landscape contains remains of structures indicating historical occupation of the site. Local archaeological evidence, including pottery fragments from the Late Bronze Age through the feudal era, confirms that the area has supported human settlement for centuries.

• The Small Church: A historical structure featuring a relief carving of a cross located at its southern entrance.
• The Large Church: A more substantial edifice measuring approximately 20 meters by 12 meters, constructed from finely hewn stone. The interior retains four surviving pilasters.

Surrounding these church ruins are historical gravestones sculpted in the shapes of horses and rams. These artifacts represent specific traditions in local medieval stone carving, offering insight into the funerary practices and artistic expressions prevalent in the historical Javakheti province.