Bandza

Bandza ბანძა
Village
Country  Georgia
Region Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Population 2,236
Time zone Georgian time
The center place in Bandza

Bandza is a village located in the west part of Georgia, Martvili municipality (in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region).[1] It consists of three small villages: Levakhane, Lekekele, Lepatarave. Bandza is situated on Odish-Guria lowland, on the left side of the river Abasha. It is 7 kilometers to Martvili from Bandza and 22 kilometers to Abasha. According to the data of 2002, 2236 people live in the village.[2] Bandza is under Chkondidi Diocese.

Church of the Assumption in Bandza

History

Bandza was first mentioned in 1699–1740 in the description of Russian Ambassador. In 1658 there was a battle between kings of Imereti and Guria-Samegrelo. Vakhushti Batonishvili writes about the village as “Bandza and castle kindly built”. There is marked “Bandza-Paghao Castle” on the map of the west Georgia created in 1797.

Synagogue

In the second half of 18th century Jewish people started to live in the west part of Georgia. They settled in Kulevi, Kutaisi, Poti, Senaki and lately in Bandza. At the beginning of 20th century they built a synagogue in the Jewish district of Bandza. There is also Jewish cemetery near the synagogue. The synagogue is not active today but many Jewish people visit it very often.

Famous People

Georgian footballer Murtaz Khurtsilava was born in Bandza.

See also

References

Coordinates: 42°21′N 42°17′E / 42.350°N 42.283°E / 42.350; 42.283

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