Editing Telavi

{{confused|text=[[Tel Aviv]], a city in Israel}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name          = Telavi
|native_name            = თელავი
|settlement_type        = City
|image_shield           = Coat of Arms of Telavi.svg
|image_flag             = Flag of Telavi (City).svg
| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage|position=center
| photo1a = Rustaveli Street, Telavi.jpg
| photo2a = Telavi - old city.jpg
| photo3a = Telavi - Fortress (9461012006).jpg
   | size = 280
   | spacing = 2
   | color = 
   | border = 0
   | foot_montage = 
}}
|pushpin_map            = Georgia#Georgia Kakheti
|mapsize                = 280px
|map_caption            = Location of Telavi in Georgia
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{GEO}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Mkhare]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Kakheti]]
|subdivision_type2      = [[Municipality]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Telavi Municipality]]
|area_total_km2         = 
|area_land_km2          = 
|area_water_km2         = 
|elevation_m            = 490
|population_as_of       = 2024
|population_footnotes   = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://geostat.ge/media/61960/1-3-population-by-cities-and-boroughs.xlsx |title=Population by regions |publisher=National Statistics Office of Georgia |access-date=28 April 2024 }}</ref>
|population_total       = 19737
|population_metro       = 
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone               = Georgian Time
|utc_offset             = +4
|timezone_DST           = <!-- No DST in Georgia since 2005 -->
|utc_offset_DST         = 
|coordinates            = {{coord|41|55|0|N|45|29|0|E|region:GE|display=inline,title}}
|area_code              = (+995) 350
|website                = {{URL|telavi.gov.ge/en}}
|footnotes              = 
}}
'''Telavi''' ({{IPAc-en|t|ə|ˈ|l|ɑː|v|i}}; {{langx|ka|თელავი|label=none}} {{IPA|ka|t̪ʰeɫaβi|}}) is the main city and administrative center of the eastern [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]n province of [[Kakheti]]. As of the 2017 Census, its population was 19,751.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population - National Statistics Office of Georgia |url=https://www.geostat.ge/en/modules/categories/41/population |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=www.geostat.ge |language=en}}</ref> The city is located on the foothills of the [[Tsiv-Gombori Range]] at {{convert|500|-|800|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.

==History==
The first archaeological findings from Telavi date back to the [[Bronze Age]]. One of the earliest surviving accounts of Telavi is from the 2nd century [[AD]], by [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] geographer [[Claudius Ptolemaeus]], who mentions the name ''Teleda'' (a reference to ''Telavi''). Telavi began to transform into a fairly important and large political and administrative center in the 8th century. Interesting information on Telavi is provided in the records by an Arab geographer, [[Al-Muqaddasi]] of the 10th century, who mentions Telavi along with such important cities of that time's Caucasus as [[Tbilisi]], [[Shamkhor]], [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], [[Shemakha]] and [[Shirvan]]. Speaking about the population of Telavi, Al-Muqaddasi points out that for the most part it consisted of [[Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church|Christians]].

[[File:Ikalto-2008-01.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Ikalto]] (c. 800)]]
From the 10th to the 12th centuries, Telavi served as the capital of the [[Kingdom of Kakheti]] and later [[Kingdom of Kakhet-Hereti]]. During the Golden Era of the Georgian State (12th–13th centuries), Telavi turned into one of the most important political and economic centers of the [[Kingdom of Georgia|Georgian State]]. After the disintegration of the united Georgian Kingdom in the 15th century, the role of Telavi started to decline and the city eventually became an ordinary town of trade and crafts. Telavi regained its political importance in the 17th century when it became a capital of the kingdom of [[Kakheti]]. By 1762, it turned into the second capital (after Tbilisi) of the united [[Eastern Georgia (country)|Eastern Georgia]]n Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti. The reign of King [[Erekle II]], who was born and died in this city, was a special epoch in the history of Telavi. During this period from 1744 to 1798, it grew into a strategic and cultural centre. Erakle II established there a theological [[seminary]] and founded a theatre. Erekle II's reforms touched upon all aspects of life in the country. They changed fundamentally the political, economical and cultural orientation of Kartli-Kakheti and, subsequently of the whole Georgia. His name became a symbol of freedom and national independence of the Georgian people. Erakle II is still called affectionately "Patara Kakhi" ('Little Kakhetian'), and his heroic deeds are described in folk literature.

===Russian rule===
[[File:Telavimainstreet.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Streets of Telavi city]]
In 1801, after the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was annexed by the [[Russian Empire]], Telavi lost its status as a capital. In the 19th century, the city was the administrative center of the [[Telavi uezd]] within the [[Tiflis Governorate]]. During that period, the economy of the city was mainly composed of [[Light industry|small-scale industries]] ([[leather painting]], pottery production, [[viniculture|wine-making]], etc.), commerce and agriculture. The town's population was about 12,000 in the end of the 19th century (including about 9,000 [[Armenians]] and 2,000 ethnic [[Georgians]]).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia| encyclopedia= Энциклопедия Брокгауза и Ефрона ([[Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary]])| url= http://www.vehi.net/brokgauz/ |title= Телав| trans-title= Telav| language= ka}}</ref>

==Heritage==
Telavi and its surroundings are rich in historical, architectural and natural monuments. The most important heritage monuments preserved within the city limits include:
* ''Dzveli Galavani'' ('Old Walls') – fortress of the first Kakhetian kings (9th–10th centuries)
* Church of the St. Mary (16th century)
* Church of the Holy Trinity (6th century)
* Fortress ''[[Batonis Tsikhe]]'' ('Fortress of Master') built in the 17th century; one of the only well-preserved medieval royal palaces in Georgia
* ''Korchibashishvilebis Tsikhe'' – castle of the local noblemen named Korchibashishvilis (16th–18th century)
* ''Akhvakhishvilebis Tsikhe'' – castle of the local noblemen named Vakhvakhishvilis (18th century)

[[File:Telavi - Bauernmarkt 02.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Open market of Telavi city]]
Telavi is the only city in Georgia where four fortification monuments from four historical periods remain relatively intact. Due to this reason, architects, scholars and art historians consider Telavi as the most "medieval" city in the country. Another curious sight in Telavi is a 900-year-old [[plane tree]] which is {{cvt|40|m}} high and {{cvt|11|m}} around the trunk.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://georgiatoday.ge/news/2781/900-Year-Old-Plane-Tree-to-Be-Rehabilitated|title=900 Year Old Plane Tree to Be Rehabilitated| work= Georgia Today|access-date=16 July 2017}}</ref> Other notable landmarks around Telavi include the [[Alaverdi Cathedral]] (11th century), the second highest cathedral in Georgia after the newly built [[Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral]]; the [[Ikalto|Ikalto Academy]] (8th-12th centuries–), where the famous Georgian writer [[Shota Rustaveli]] studied; the Church of St. George (dedicated to the patron saint of Georgia, where it is said that there are 365 churches named [[St. George]]); ruins of the city and castle of [[Gremi]] (the former capital of Kakheti during the 15th–17th centuries); [[Shuamta]], a complex made of three churches of different periods—6th, 7th and 8th centuries—in a highland forest; [[Akhali Shuamta]] ('New Shuamta'), the monastery close to [[Old Shuamta|Dzveli Shuamta]] ('Old Shuamta'), built in the 16th century; the stunning [[Tsinandali Park|Tsinandali Gardens]] (the residential Palace of Noblemen Chavchavadzes family); and many others.

===Armenian heritage of Telavi===
The former Armenian population had a rich cultural life, some of which remains to this day, and some of which is lost.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti">{{cite book |last1=Karapetyan |first1=Samvel |title=The Armenians in Kakhet |date=2004 |publisher=Gitutyun |location=Yerevan |isbn=580800585X |pages=224+24 |url=https://raa-am.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ՀԱՅԵՐԸ-ԿԱԽԵԹՈՒՄ.pdf |ref=armkakh}}</ref>

* Avag (Mother) St. George Church – called {{transliteration|hy|Surb Gevorg}} in Armenian, located in the heart of the old city. The bell tower was built in 1829. In 1861 permission was requested to build a dome (gmbet) on the church. By early 1923 the church was closed, and the bell tower was demolished on April 19, 1924. In May of the same year the gavit was also demolished, along with the serf walls on the western and southern sides.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti" />
* Surb Karapet Church – built in 1797. By 1818 it was already not used anymore.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti" />
* Dzvelgalavani Surb Gevorg Church – date of construction is unknown, but there are records that it was already built between 1798 and 1800, and that it was renovated in 1852 at a cost of 1,500 manet. Still stands. In poor condition.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti" />
* Surb Astvatsatsin ('Holy Mother of God'). Located in the old Armenian cemetery. There are records of it already existing by 1840, which means it was built at some point prior. In 1879, 4000 rubles were spent to build a dome (''gmbet'') on the church. On the night of December 10, 1894, the church was robbed, leading to protective walls being built around it. Still stands, and functions as a Georgian Church now.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti" />
* Surb Yerordutyun Church. There are no known records about the construction, but there are records of it beginning in the 1800s. It was closed in 1923.
* Surb Tovmas Chapel. Built of wood from 1882 to 1885 at a cost of 280 rubles. Closed in 1923. Still stands.<ref name="Armenians in Kakheti" />

==Geography==

[[File:Alazani Caucasus.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Alazani River Plain]]
Telavi faces the Tsiv-Gombori Range to the south and southwest and borders on the Alazani Valley to the north and east.

The [[Caucasus Mountains|Greater Caucasus Mountain Range]], which runs to the north of the Alazani Valley, can be seen from most of Telavi.

At present, the city of Telavi is connected with Tbilisi by two highways. 
The most widely traveled (and better-paved) highway runs through the rural areas of Kakheti and is longer (the overall length of the highway is approximately {{convert|156|km|abbr=on}}) than the route, which runs through the highlands of the Gombori Mountain Range.

The shorter route (approximately {{convert|96|km|abbr=on}}) is quite scenic, but is less used due to the reconstruction works that are being carried out there from 2014, but now it is used way. The road is a little difficult for non-professional and non-experienced drivers, as it is very narrow and dangerous.

Because of its beauty, historical monuments and hospitality and the reputation for kindness of its residents, the city is a popular tourist destination in Georgia.

===Climate===
Highest recorded temperature: {{Convert|41.6|C|F|abbr=on}} on 31 July 2000.<ref name=NCEI>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Georgia/CSV/Telavi_37553.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Telavi-37553 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |access-date=18 March 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV |postscript=.}}</ref>

Lowest recorded temperature: {{Convert|-15.0|C|F|abbr=on}} on 28 January 2016.<ref name=NCEI/>

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Telavi (1991–2020, extremes 1981-2020)
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan record high C = 18.8
|Feb record high C = 20.4
|Mar record high C = 26.1
|Apr record high C = 32.3
|May record high C = 32.1
|Jun record high C = 35.8
|Jul record high C = 40.2
|Aug record high C = 41.6
|Sep record high C = 36.0
|Oct record high C = 32.7
|Nov record high C = 24.6
|Dec record high C = 21.3
|year record high C = 41.6
|Jan high C = 6.3
|Feb high C = 7.9
|Mar high C = 12.6
|Apr high C = 17.8
|May high C = 22.7
|Jun high C = 27.3
|Jul high C = 30.2
|Aug high C = 30.4
|Sep high C = 25.4
|Oct high C = 19.2
|Nov high C = 12.3
|Dec high C = 8.0
|year high C = 
|Jan low C = -1.7
|Feb low C = -0.9
|Mar low C = 2.9
|Apr low C = 7.4
|May low C = 12.1
|Jun low C = 16.1
|Jul low C = 18.9
|Aug low C = 18.8
|Sep low C = 14.7
|Oct low C = 9.8
|Nov low C = 3.7
|Dec low C = -0.1
|year low C = 8.5
|Jan record low C = -15.0
|Feb record low C = -14.6
|Mar record low C = -10.5
|Apr record low C = -4.7
|May record low C = 3.1
|Jun record low C = 8.4
|Jul record low C = 9.9
|Aug record low C = 9.0
|Sep record low C = 4.5
|Oct record low C = -1.6
|Nov record low C = -6.8
|Dec record low C = -13.7
|year record low C = -15.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 28.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 28.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 90.3
|May precipitation mm = 119.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 96.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 67.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 66.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 69.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 61.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 29.4
|year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days =  1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =5
| Feb precipitation days  =5.1
| Mar precipitation days  =7.5
| Apr precipitation days  =9.8
| May precipitation days  =12.1
| Jun precipitation days  =9.1
| Jul precipitation days  =6.8
| Aug precipitation days  =6.3
| Sep precipitation days  =6.8
| Oct precipitation days  =6.9
| Nov precipitation days  =5.5
| Dec precipitation days  =4.8
| year precipitation days =
|source 1 = [[NCEI]]<ref name=NCEI/><ref name="Clino91">
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211009215740/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Georgia/WMO_Normals_Georgia.xls
| archive-date = 9 October 2021
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Georgia/WMO_Normals_Georgia.xls
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010
| publisher = National Centers for Environmental Information
| access-date = 9 October 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Politics==
[[File:Telavi, Ilia Chavchavadze Street.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ilia Chavchavadze Street]]
'''Telavi Municipal Assembly''' ([[Georgian language|Georgian]]: თელავის საკრებულო) is a representative body in Telavi. currently consisting of 33 members. The council is assembles into session regularly, to consider subject matters such as code changes, utilities, taxes, city budget, oversight of city government and more. Telavi sakrebulo is elected every four year. The [[2017 Georgian local elections|last election]] was held in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=მუნიციპალიტეტის წარმომადგენლობითი ორგანოს |website=cesko.ge| url=https://cesko.ge/static/res/docs/danOK47.pdf|access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
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| [[Georgian Dream]]
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|[[United National Movement (Georgia)|UNM]] 
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| [[For Georgia]] 
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|[[Alliance of Patriots of Georgia|Alliance of Patriots]]
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==[[:Category:People from Telavi|Notable Residents]]==
* [[Heraclius II of Georgia|King Erekle II]] (1720-1798), King of Kartli and Kakheti
* [[George XII of Georgia|King George XII]] (1746-1800), Last Georgian Monarch 
* [[Prince Iulon of Georgia|Prince Iulon]] (1760-1816), Georgian prince, half-brother of King George XII
* [[Elene Akhvlediani]] (1898-1976), Georgian painter
* [[Grigory Arutinov|Girgor Harutyunyan]] (1900-1957), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Armenian SSR
* [[Henrik Malyan]] (1925-1988), Armenian film director
* [[Givi Chikvanaia]] (1939-2018), Georgian waterpolo player
* [[Kakhi Asatiani]] (1947-2002), Georgian football player
* [[Lara Yan|Larissa Petrosyan]] (1993-), model
* [[Givi Chokheli]] (1937-1994), Georgian football player
* [[Alim Nabiev]] (1994-), Azerbaijani kickboxer

==In popular culture==
Telavi serves as the hometown of the Georgian [[Bush flying|bush pilot]] Mimino ([[Vakhtang Kikabidze]]) in the 1977 Soviet comedy ''[[Mimino]]''.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
* {{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Arkadag]], [[Turkmenistan]] (2023)
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Bacharach]], [[Germany]]
* {{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[Kėdainiai]], [[Lithuania]]
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Napa, California|Napa]], [[California]], [[USA]]
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Santa Coloma de Gramenet]], [[Catalonia]], [[Spain]]

==See also==
* [[Kakheti]]
* [[Tsinandali]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Rosen, Roger. ''Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus.'' Odyssey Publications: king Kong, 1999. {{ISBN|962-217-748-4}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Telavi}}
* [http://kakheti.net/telavi/telavi_guide.html Kakheti.net tourism site]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Telav|short=x}}

{{Cities and towns in Georgia (country)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Kakheti]]
[[Category:Tiflis Governorate]]
[[Category:Bronze Age in Georgia]]