Kutaisi State Historical Museum, Khevi Travel Guide

The Kutaisi State Historical Museum, formally known as the Niko Berdzenishvili Kutaisi State History Museum, stands as one of Georgia's most important scientific-research institutions. Founded in 1922 in honor of the historian Niko Berdzenishvili, the museum is housed in a historic building that was once the National Bank of Georgia. The building itself is an architectural landmark from the second half of the 19th century.The museum's extensive collection comprises over 150,000 artifacts, offering a comprehensive overview of Western Georgia's history. Exhibits span from the Early Paleolithic period through the Bronze Age, Classical Antiquity, and the early Middle Ages. Visitors can explore archaeological, numismatic, paleographical, and ethnographic collections that reveal the region's diverse cultural heritage.Highlights of the museum include Bronze Age items discovered in Kutaisi and the surrounding area, such as Colchian axes and bronze buckles. The coin collection features rare finds like a 5th-century BC Colchian didrachm and coins from Georgian kings. One of the most popular exhibits is the Manuscripts Fund, which displays over 800 books and publications, many of which belonged to churches and monasteries in western Georgia. The museum also preserves personal documents of famous public figures, items from Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries, 19th-20th century photos, medieval engraved art, and 16th-19th century goldwork. The Gold Treasury section showcases crosses and icons decorated with precious metals and jewels, including a large icon from Bagrati Cathedral.The museum is not just a place to observe artifacts; it is an engaging journey through time, inviting all to appreciate the depth of Georgia's history and cultural identity.