On the History of a Castle in Samegrelo (Chakvinji Castle)

Abstract

Chakvinji Castle, located in the village of Jikhashkari, Zugdidi province, is an outstanding historical monument of Samegrelo. In addition to historical documents, it is mentioned in the inscription of the icon of St Nicholas made in 1640 by order of Levan II Dadiani. Chakvinji Castle is also found in the notices of foreign travellers,for instance in the travel materials of Johann Anton Güldenstädt (1771–1772). In the 1820s, Eduard Eichwald also provides us with some information about the castle. The history of Chakvinji Castle dates back to the distant past, and it served as a defense facility for many centuries. In the feudal age, it was the centre of Odishi province; the palace and residence of the House of Dadiani was located there, and Davit Dadiani, the last Prince of Samegrelo, was born there on 26 January, 1813. Archeological investigations of Chakvinji Castle and the fixing of its architectural structures began in 1968–1969. The archaeological finds were quite diverse and dividable into three periods: the material of the first period is from the early feudal period, the second, from the middle feudal period, and the third, from the late feudal period. This article presents a new analysis of the existing historical, archaeological, architectural and linguistic materials concerning Chakvinji Castle. It describes the present condition of Chakvinji Castle, which is very deplorable and in urgent need of conservation and restoration.