Salkhino Dadiani Residence

The History of Salkhino Dadiani Palace

Levan Dadiani began building a two-story stone palace in place of the modest wooden house that was standing here in the first half of the 19th century.

Salome Dadiani-Murat, or Princess Salome, Levan’s grandchild, was raised in western Europe and received the completed palace as her inheritance. There were often parties with nobles and the name of the place even refers to that – Salkhino means “a place for a feast” (“lkhini”). The last big party was held for the wedding of Lucien Murat, the son of Salome Dadiani-Murat and Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, Achille Murat. 

Salkhino Palace is famous for its gorgeous garden. Within the complex, there is the Virgin Mary Church, built in the 18th century, and the historical wine cellar of the Dadianis, which has become the hallmark of Salkhino Village. The 12 qvevris in the wine cellar symbolically represent the 12 holy festivals and the 12 Apostles of the Lord. 

Next to the palace flows the coldest river in Samegrelo, the Tsachkhura, which was the silent witness of Dadianis’ life.