Gurjaani

Geography and Location

• The village of Gurjaani is situated in the Kakheti region, within the Gurjaani Municipality, at an elevation of 440 meters above sea level.
• It is located on the fertile Alazani Plain, at the northeastern foothills of the Gombori Ridge. The village is conveniently located just 2 kilometers away from the town of Gurjaani.
• The surrounding landscape is characterized by its proximity to the mountains and the vast vineyards that define the Kakhetian countryside.

History and Origins

• The name "Gurjaani" is believed to have Turkish roots: "Gurj" meaning Georgian, and "Gurjaani" signifying a "place of Georgians."
• Historical records first mention the village in the late 15th or early 16th century, in a charter by King Alexander I of Kakheti, which granted the locale tax exemption.
• Throughout history, the village was a domain of the prominent Vachnadze and Andronikashvili noble families. Like many areas in Kakheti, it suffered from raids in the 18th century but was later restored.

Cultural Heritage

• The most significant landmark is the Gurjaani Kvelatsminda Church (8th-9th century), dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. It is the only two-domed church in Georgia, making it a unique masterpiece of medieval architecture.
• The village is also home to the Nato Vachnadze House-Museum, located in the ancestral palace of the Andronikashvili family, celebrating the life of the famous Georgian actress.
• Other notable religious sites include the churches of St. John the Evangelist, Kvira-Tskhoveli, and the Kashveti St. George Church, each adding to the village's historical charm.