Germans and Georgia
Learn more about German cultural heritage in Georgia, the footprints left by Schwabian colonists, and modern bilateral relations.
From Württemberg to the Caucasus
In September 1817, due to economic crisis and religious persecution in Germany, about 1400 Schwabian families began a long journey along the Danube River to the Black Sea and eventually settled in the South Caucasus, mainly in Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Architectural Footprints
In Bolnisi and Asureti, 200-year-old German half-timbered houses (Fachwerk) still stand, representing crucial monuments of cultural heritage.
Settlement of German colonists (1817-1818)
In 1817-1818, the first wave of Swabian Germans arrived in Georgia from the Kingdom of Württemberg (south-western Germany). They established several model colonies that greatly influenced local agriculture and culture.
The Germans brought with them European agricultural technologies, craft traditions and lifestyle, which soon became an integral part of Georgian society.
Colonies: Ekaterinenfeld, Elisabethtal and Tbilisi
The Germans created developed settlements: Ekaterinenfeld (today's Bolnisi), Elisabethtal (today's Assyria) and Alexandersdorf (a part of today's Tbilisi, namely near Agmashenebeli Avenue).
They built European-style half-timbered houses (Fachwerk), Lutheran churches (Kirches), opened schools, hospitals and built the first breweries in Georgia.
Development of winemaking and industry
German colonists made a great contribution to the modernization of Georgian winemaking. In Assyria and Bolnisi, they introduced European technologies and built huge wineries.
German architectural heritage has been preserved in Bolnisi, including unique cellars where Swabians produced famous Georgian-German wines.