Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi: history, museum and Georgia's most sacred relic
The Dadiani Palace, located in the city of Zugdidi in western Georgia, is one of the country's most singular historical and architectural monuments. Residence of the Dadiani princes, the family that ruled the principality of Mingrelia for centuries, the palace combines an architecture blending Georgian and European styles within grounds of century-old gardens and parks.
History of the Dadiani princes and the principality of Mingrelia
The Dadiani family was one of the most influential in the western Caucasus. The main palace dates from the 19th century, though the grounds include structures from different eras reflecting the power and refinement of this dynasty. Its architecture incorporates European neoclassical elements that the princes adopted through their contact with Russian and French culture.
The museum: collections of art, weapons and historic artefacts
The palace today houses a museum with rich collections including personal belongings of the Dadiani family, religious art, ancient weapons, coins, ceramics and archaeological pieces documenting centuries of Mingrelian and Georgian history. The state rooms retain original 19th-century furniture.
The veil of the Virgin Mary: the most sacred relic
The museum's greatest treasure is undoubtedly a fragment of the veil of the Virgin Mary, one of the most venerated relics of the Orthodox Church. Princess Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani brought it to Zugdidi in the 19th century, and since then it has attracted pilgrims from across the Orthodox world. The relic is displayed under special conservation conditions.
Practical visit to the Dadiani Palace
- Location: Zugdidi, 310 km from Tbilisi and 90 km from Batumi.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00.
- Guided tours: available in Georgian, Russian and English.
Zugdidi is also the gateway to the Svaneti region, with its legendary medieval towers. Check our Caucasus itineraries to plan your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What can you see at the Dadiani Palace?
The palace houses a museum with collections of religious art, historic weapons, 19th-century furniture, coins and archaeological artefacts. Its most famous treasure is a fragment of the veil of the Virgin Mary, a sacred relic of the Orthodox Church that attracts pilgrims from around the world.
Where is Zugdidi and how do you get there?
Zugdidi is in western Georgia, in the Mingrelia region, about 310 km from Tbilisi and 90 km from Batumi. It is easily reached by train from Tbilisi (about 5–6 hours) or by marshrutka from Batumi (2 hours). It is the starting point for excursions to Svaneti.
Is Dadiani Palace important for cultural tourists?
Yes. The palace is one of the most comprehensive museums in western Georgia, with collections spanning from antiquity to the 19th century. The relic of the Virgin's veil also makes it a unique pilgrimage destination in the Caucasus.