Jvari Pass Travertine National Monument

Georgia’s unique geographical location is the reason for the diversity of its nature. Moving boulders, cliff pillars, deep canyons, volcanic formations, boiling lakes, and petrified forests – are all examples of impressive natural monuments and the creativity of nature. Travertine is a hard, porous, low-density, semi-crystalline rock, made as a result of the precipitation of calcium carbonate. It is often secreted from underground waters, creating stalactites and stalagmites in caves.

Region

Mtskheta-Mtianeti

City

Stepantsminda

Travertine is found in a few places in Georgia, one of which, is 2,197 meters above sea level, close to the Kobi-Gudauri Road in the Bidara River valley in Kazbegi Municipality.

Here the clear water descends in thin layers, leaving behind beautiful rocks that attract numerous tourists every year. The travertine of Jvari Pass are broad fields that are white in some places, and, due to the mixture of ferrous salts, orange in others.

Travertines are often used for construction and decoration purposes. For example, the Roman Colosseum is clad in travertine.

The largest inhabited place near the travertine of Jvari Pass is Gudauri, 10 kilometers away.

We kindly advise you not to climb all over the travertine in order not to destroy it, so that the next generations would also have an opportunity to enjoy this unique creation of mother nature.

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