Why you should come to Surami?
Surami is an urban-type settlement at the foot of the Likhsky Ridge. Surami is known not only for the ancient fortress on its territory, but also for its health-improving climate. According to historical data, the settlement existed here since the Bronze Age. Even Pliny the Elder mentioned the place Surium on the border of Iberia and Colchis.
In the XII-XIII centuries the settlement served as a fortress, which has partially survived to this day and is one of the main attractions of Georgia. Until the XV century the owners of the fortress were hereditary eristavi (governors) of the family name Surameli. In XVII-XVIII centuries the fortress was used during the struggle with Persians and Turks. Also a landmark of Surami is the Church of St. George the Illuminator, which used to be an Armenian apostolic church, but is now under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Therapeutic resort Surami
After the annexation of Georgia to the Russian Empire in the early XIX century, Surami received the status of a climatic resort, and to this day there are several sanatoriums functioning here, the main one of which “Surami” can accommodate up to 200 people at a time. Since the climate of this place is temperate-continental, there are many sunny days a year, but there is no exhausting heat. The air in Surami is dry and filled with the pine aroma of pine trees, so the local climate is considered healing and is especially recommended for people with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
Local hydrogen sulphide mineral waters used for bathing also have therapeutic properties. The original “natural” attraction is the Suram pine forest, which starts from the fortress a little way along the highway and stretches all the way to Zestafoni. Some tourists even camp here.
Attractions in Surami
Besides the healing water, there are some sights to see in Surami.
Surami Fortress
The main attraction of Surami is an ancient fortress built in the early feudalism era. The fortress is about 1200 square meters in area and stands on sheer cliffs. Surami has always been considered one of the main fortresses of Georgia.
Church of St. George the Illuminator
The Church of St. George the Illuminator was built in the 18th century and is a former Armenian apostolic church. The church has a bell tower and 2 domes, which are crowned with crosses.
Lesya Ukrainka House-Museum
In Surami there is a house-museum of the poetess Lesya Ukrainka, who lived in the resort for the last years of her life and died here, and a monument to the poetess by sculptor Tamara Abakelia was erected in 1952.
How to get to Surami
The distance from Surami to Tbilisi is 125 km (on the highway to Akhaltsikhe). You can also get to Khashuri and Surami by Tbilisi-Khashuri shuttle buses and Khashuri-Surami shuttle buses (departing every half an hour).
In 1872 a railroad was built through Surami, and since 1890 after the opening of the Surami tunnel in another place the local station became a dead end. Nowadays, Surami serves as the destination of the dead-end branch line and is a city transportation. The town has almost merged with Khashuri, so the Khashuri-Surami branch is a “city streetcar”. The distance from Khashuri to Surami is 5 km (20 minutes traveling time).