Didi Ateni: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Ateni Fortress stands on a steep mountain in the Ateni Valley. It was strategically important and historically controlled the shortest route from Shida Kartli to the south.

Culture and History

Didi Ateni is home to a small domed Church of the Virgin Mary, built in the free-cross style. An inscription in a church in Didi Ateni names Rati Eristavi, the son of Liparit Eristavi, as its builder. The Church of St. George in Didi Ateni is a single-nave church built by Bagrat IV between 1060 and 1072. The Kviratsminda Church in Didi Ateni is a single-nave medieval church with a bell tower added to the eastern gable.

Outside Didi Ateni stands a medieval single-nave church dedicated to St. John the Baptist on a wooded mountain slope. On a cliff south of Didi Ateni, on the left bank of the Tana River, stands a tower dating from the 16th to 17th centuries. The Tsero Church Complex is one of the architectural monuments of the Ateni Valley. Traces of the original art have been preserved on the walls of Ateni Sioni, although the interior was repainted in the 11th century. The frescoes of Ateni Sioni mainly depict scenes from the life of the Mother of God. The southern church of “St. Nino’s Church of Ateni” dates from the 5th to 6th centuries.

Nature and Trails

The Ateni Valley features grassy hilltops, moss-covered boulders and alpine hills. Remains of Bronze Age settlements can also be found there. The Tana River flows through the villages of the Ateni Valley and eventually joins the Mtkvari.

The Biisi Waterfall can be reached via a 2.5-kilometre hiking trail. This trail is described as a half-day outdoor activity. In winter, Biisi Waterfall can turn into a column of ice. The hiking trail to Damchkeri Waterfall runs along the left bank of the Tana River; picnicking is possible beside the waterfall. The Rkoni–Ateni-Sioni trail is 30 kilometres long, and completing it in full takes two days.

Wine

Kartli is described as a Georgian wine region known for classic European-style wines and high-quality sparkling wines; Atenuri is produced there. Nika Vacheishvili’s marani is located in Didi Ateni, an old wine-growing area.

The marani’s vineyards are located mainly on old terraces; the varieties grown are Chinuri, Tavkveri, Budeshuri and Atenuri Saperavi. Traditional Atenuri winemaking includes a specified quantity of chacha and cooling vessels with ice. Ateni (Atenuri) is described as a straw-coloured wine with a harmonious taste, fruity notes and lively bubbles.

Château Ateni offers culinary and folklore masterclasses. Wooden cottages stand on the grounds of Château Ateni.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Didi Ateni can then continue their accommodation search. Other destination pages lead to Agara, Mekheti and Surami.

For the higher-level travel overview: Shida Kartli.