Breathtaking snowy Samtskhe-Javakheti

Samtskhe-Javakheti is a region in southern Georgia which includes the historical Georgian provinces of Meskheti, Javakheti, and Tori. The administrative center of the region is Akhaltsikhe. The city is separated into two parts: the old and the new city by the river Potskhovi. The region is one of the most interesting and beautiful touristic venues in Georgia. 

Paravani Lake is a volcanic river in Georgia located at 2073 meters above sea level in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The lake surrounded by villages. It is frozen during wintertime. In addition to the small rivers of Shaori, Sabadostskali, and Rodionovskis Tskali, the lake receives its water from snow, rain, and underground springs. Paravani lake is a must see lake in the region.

Poka, a village in Samtskhe-Javakheti, is located near the Paravani Lake. It is the place where Saint Nino made her first entry into Georgia. There is a St. Nino nunnery in the village. 

The village Gorelovka in Samtskhe-Javakheti is a domicile of Doukhobors. The Doukhobors are a Spiritual Christian religious group of Russian origin. They rejected the Russian Orthodox priesthood, the use of icons, and all associated church ritual. In the 19th century, the Russian emperor Nikoloz I force the community out of the country. One group of the Doukhobors came and settled in Georgia. Thus, Doukhobor village with a Russian name was established: Gorelovka. There is a Doukhobor worship place in the village. At present, about 220 families (70 Georgians and 50 Doukhobors) are left in Gorelovka. 

Saghamo Lake is a lake located at the 1996 meters above sea level in the village of Saghamo (Saghamo is a Georgian word meaning “evening”) in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. It covers an area of 458 hectare. The lake receives water from rain, melting snow and underground springs.