Nokalakevi Museum-Reserve

The Structure of Nokalakevi

Nokalakevi was formerly known as Tsikhegoji, although in the 4th century AD, it was referred to by the Greeks as Archaeopolis. Tsikhegoji, built across twenty hectares, was composed of three parts: the nobles and clergy in the main part, the slopes for the garrison, and the inner fortress, citadel, and acropolis atop the plateau of a high mountain.

Only some of the structures have been preserved to this day, and only as ruins. Still, the archaeological materials and Roman-style baths found in the Nokalakevi Complex show us that there was a high level of everyday culture there.  

Those objects, the oldest of which date back to the 8th-7th century BCE, are kept in the museum there for you to see.

One of Samegrelo’s oldest Christian churches is also within the museum-reserve, the 6th-century Church of the 40 Holy Martyrs.

The Legend of Nokalakevi

Some people say that Nokalakevi is where the mythical city of Aea was located, where Jason, the mythological Greek hero, stole the Golden Fleece with the help of the Colchian princess Medea.