This is Gergeti Trinity Church near Stepantsminda, probably one of the most famous views in all of Georgia. It sits alone on a hill, with the mountains rising behind it. The path up is steep but not too long. When you get to the top, it’s windy and wide open, and the scenery feels massive.
This photo was taken at Zhinvali Reservoir, not far from the Ananuri Fortress. The lake’s color was bright blue-green, and the mountains around it made it feel very quiet and remote. It was hot that day, but the breeze coming off the water made it feel cooler. We stopped for just a few minutes, but the view stuck with me.
This river runs along the highway to Kazbegi. I walked down to the edge to hear the water better. The rocks were smooth and cold under my feet, and the current moved steadily but calmly. It’s not a dramatic spot, but it felt peaceful.
This is the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze in Tsinandali, in the Kakheti region. It’s a quiet area with trees all around and a long lawn out front. The building looks like it belongs in a different time, but it’s well preserved. It was calm and open, not crowded, when we visited.
This photo shows the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument. It’s a huge circular stone structure perched high up in the mountains with an incredible view over the valley. The colors of the mural inside the monument were so bold, and the mountains behind it felt endless. The whole place had an unusual but cool mix of Soviet history and pure nature.
Georgia Lang
Dan E. Davidson Fellowship Recipient
Opportunity Scholarship Recipient
Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP)
Tbilisi, Georgia, Summer 2025