Telavi This article or section does not cite its references or sources . You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations . Kathedrale of Alaverdi Telavi ( Georgian : თელავი ) is a main city of Georgia 's eastern province of Kakheti , on the eastern slope of the Tsiv-Gombori mountain-range . Telavi is mentioned in Greek geographer Ptolemeus as Teleda in the 2 century AD. As a large city and one of the political centers of Kakheti , Telavi transformed in the 8th century . From 10th to the 12th century Telavi served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti . During the so called Golden Era of Georgian state ( 12-13th centuries ) , Telavi was one of the most important political and economic centers of the country . After the disintegration of united Georgian Kingdom in the 15th century , Telavi declined and became ordinal city of trade and crafts . From the 17th century , Telavi re-gains the political importance and from 1762 it becomes the second capital ( after Tbilisi ) of the united Kingdoms of Eastern Georgia and Kartl-Kakheti . In 1801 the Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti was annexed to the Russian Empire . In the 19th century , Telavi is a center of small administrative unit of Russian Empire in Tbilisi Guberny . During that period , economic of the city is mainly composed of small-scale industry ( leather painting , pottery production , wine-making , etc. ) , commerce and agriculture . Telavi is connected with Tbilisi , the capital of Georgia , with two highways : the first , one that is longer ( 156 km ) and less scenic , runs through the rural areas of Kakheti , the other , through the highlands of Gombori mountain range , is shorter ( 96 km ) and is breathtakingly beautiful , but now is less exploited due to the road reconstructions . Telavi and its surroundings are rich in historical and arcitectural monuments . Telavi has the remains of the Royal Palace ( 17-18th centuries ) - the sole palace of its kind preserved in Georgia in a fine way . Another important heritage monuments preserved in the city are : church of the St . Mary ( 16th centurt ) , church of Holly Trinity ( 6th century ) . Other landmarks comprise the Alaverdi Cathedral ( the second highest cathedral in Georgia after the newly built Sameba ( the Holy Trinity ) in Tbilisi ) , the Ikalto Academy ( where the famous Georgian writer and genius Shota Rustaveli studied ) , the church of St . George ( the most admired and mighty saints for Georgians ; it is said that in Georgia there are 365 churches in the name of St . George ) , ruins of Gremi city ( the former capital of Kakheti in 15-17th centuries ) , Shuamta - complex of three churches of different periods - 6th , 7th , 8th centuries in the marvelous highland forest , Akhali Shuamta - New Shuamta - the monastery nearby Dzveli Shuamta uilt in 16th century and the stunning Tsinandali Gardens ( the residential Palace of the Chavchavadze ) . Telavi is wrapped in picturesque landscapes from all sides : it faces the marvellous Tsiv-Gombori from the south and looks to the fabulous Alazani Valley and Old Caucasus Range with eternally snow covered tops to the north . Because of its beauty , history and monuments and what is the most important - hospitality and kindness of its residents , Telavi is a must to visit if one happens to be in Georgia . Coordinates : 41°55′N 45°29′E Categories : Articles lacking sources | Cities in Georgia ( country ) In other languages : Deutsch | Eesti | ქართული | Română | Русский | Suomi | Türkçe | Lietuvių თელავი 41 55 N 45 29 E 