Vani Archaeological Museum
The Vani Archaeological Museum, established in 1985, displays artifacts from the ancient Colchis civilization, including gold and bronze items, pottery, and coins, dating from the 8th to the 1st century BC.
Planning your visit
Colchis was the kingdom the Greeks placed at the end of the world, where Jason went for the Golden Fleece, and the legend has a material basis: the rivers of western Georgia carried gold, and sheepskins pegged in the current were used to trap the particles.
Vani was one of its principal centres, occupied from the eighth to the first century BC, and its excavations produced goldwork of extraordinary refinement — diadems, temple ornaments, necklaces and figurines in a distinctive Colchian style — alongside bronze sculpture, imported Greek pottery and coins.
The museum, opened in 1985 and substantially rebuilt in recent years, displays the finds beside the excavated site on the hill above.
Georgian goldsmithing is among the oldest traditions anywhere, and the continuity between these objects and later Georgian metalwork is visible.
Vani is about an hour from Kutaisi. Allow ninety minutes. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Vani Archaeological Museum?
Vani Archaeological Museum is in Vani, Georgia. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for Vani Archaeological Museum?
Allow ninety minutes. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Vani Archaeological Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.