Kutaisi State Historical Museum

Kutaisi State Historical Museum opened in 1922 in Kutaisi, Georgia in honor of the famous 20th-century Georgian historian Niko Berdzenishvili. Today patrons can enjoy over 150,000 permanent displays as well as temporary exhibitions and educational programs which are sure to interest anyone who is interested in the legendary Colchis Kingdom and the evolution of the region through the centuries.

The archeological section of Kutaisi State Historical Museum includes many Bronze Age items discovered in Kutaisi and the surrounding area, including Colchian axes, bronze buckles, statues and more. The coin collection includes rare findings such as a 5th-century BC Colchian didrachm, 6th-3rd centuries BC Colchian drachmas, a gold stater imprinted with the image of Alexander the Great and coins traced back to Georgian kings. A variety of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arabic, Iranian and Turkish coins are also on display.

One of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the Manuscripts Fund, where more than 800 books and publications can be seen. Most of the printed items belonged to churches and monasteries in western Georgia until they were transferred to the museum along with several icons during the Soviet era. The museum also preserves the personal documents of famous public figures, items from Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries, 19th-20th century photos, medieval engraved art and 16th-19th century goldwork.

Kutaisi State Historical Museum was fully renovated in 2006 in order to meet international standards. The museum is located in a historic building at 18 Pushkin Street, Kutaisi Municipality, Kutaisi, Georgia.