Tsarche

History

Tsarche's name probably comes from two Megrelian words “tsar”- water and “che”- white = White Water. You can find the name of Tsarche in ancient sources. For example, Arrian (Arrian of Nicomedia) mentioned the river “Tarsura” and the town “Tarshen” on its side. Arkanjelo Lamberti wrote in XVII century that there was Heta and after it Okumi which passes along Tarshen. “Tarshen” is the same as “Tsarche”, but foreigners pronounced it differently. On the map of Colchi (Samegrelo) in 1654 year, you can find the name Tsarche.

The architectural monuments that were found in the village confirm Tsarche’s political and cultural importance of its time in the North West of Georgia. According to Nodar Shonia, there are 23 historical monuments in Tsarche, including the Church of Epiphany, Tsarche’s church of “Picheriste” and two churches of so called “Mapash Okhuame” (this means the tomb of the king in Megrelian). There were four ancient libraries too, but none of them excites now.

“Mapash Okhuame” which was built in XIII-XIV centuries is the architectural complex. The complex includes two churches, a fence and a piece of gate. During the archaeological works in one of the churches there were found frescos of local nobles. I. Shervashidze thinks that these churches were built in XV century. Churches in Tsarche were renewed by Samegrelo’s ruler Levan II Dadiani in XVII century (1611–1657).

During the archaeological works in one of the churches there was found writing in ancient Georgian Nuskhuri and there was name of someone Pashadze. Locals call "Pashadze’s Mountain" one of the mountains close to Tsarche village.