Martkopi is a village in Gardabani District, on the left side of Ialno range, in the gorges of the rivers Alikhevi and Tevali. The village is situated at an altitude of 770 meters, and is 55 kilometres from Gardabani and 12 kilometres from Vasiani (the nearest railway station). According to 2002 census, the village is populated by 7666 residents.
Martqopi territory was inhabited from I-II century. Till VI century its name was Akriani. It is considered that name “Martqopi” comes from one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers - Anton Martqopeli (martmqopeli on Georgian means someone who is living alone). A bench cathedral was established in XIII century, which since the XV century became a centre of Sadrosho (Administrative unit in feudal Georgia mainly used for army mobilizing). In 1625 in Markopi a military confrontation took place between Georgia and Iran.
In addition Martkopi served as a cultural centre too. The names of the famous Georgian poets and writers Nikolos Cherkesishvili (XVII-XVIII c.), Ioan Khobulashvili (XVIII c.), Stefane Djorjadze (XVIII c.) and others are associated with the village.
Close to village in the Ulevi range archaeologists discovered bronze-age graves. Moreover, precious Parthian coins (BC. Y. I — AD.Y. II) were found in the territory of the village.
In Markopi ruins of cupola church is still preserved. It was built in 1810 by bishop of Rustavi Stefane II. Some other family castles from XVIII century can also be found here. Near the village is Ghvtaeba monastery complex dating back to V—VI centuries.