Nokalakevi: From the Tekhuri River to the Walls of Archaeopolis

Cover photo by Anna Ormotsadze · CC BY-SA 3.0.

Explore Nokalakevi near Senaki, where the Tekhuri River, a fortified hillside and excavated baths reveal different sides of the ancient city of Archaeopolis.

Start with the River

From the lower part of Nokalakevi, look across the Tekhuri before looking up at the walls. The river helps explain why a fortified city occupied this particular bend. The hillside gave defenders height, while the lower ground left room for buildings and the routines of an inhabited town. Once you have that picture in mind, the scattered remains begin to fit together.

One Site, Several Names

You may see the names Nokalakevi, Tsikhegoji and Archaeopolis on signs or maps. They refer to the same historic site near Senaki. The settlement is associated with Lazica, the kingdom that ruled much of western Georgia in late antiquity. The suggestion that this was the city of Aea in the Golden Fleece story belongs to legend. The excavated buildings, pottery and other objects provide a separate record of life here.

Look for Everyday Life inside the Walls

The bath remains are a good starting point. Try to picture the work needed to run a bath complex, from supplying water to heating it. Then look for the Church of the Forty Martyrs and notice how its stonework and scale differ from the defensive walls. If the exhibition is open, visit it before walking the grounds so the smaller finds can give the ruins some context.

Choose a Route That Suits Your Group

The lower part of the reserve can be the main visit if you have limited time or prefer to avoid a climb. Ask staff which routes are open if you want to continue uphill. Rain can change the footing quickly, so wear shoes with grip and allow time to come back down without rushing. Keep to the marked paths along the river and around the remains.

Plan Your Stop from Senaki

The reserve is about 16 kilometres from Senaki. For a taxi trip, name the museum-reserve and agree on a pickup time before the driver leaves. An hour gives you time for a short visit on the lower grounds. Set aside more if you plan to see the exhibition and walk the upper sections. Check admission and access before leaving, especially if the visit is part of a longer drive through Samegrelo.

Location Map

Nokalakevi Museum-Reserve is marked on the map below.