Machakheli

Machakheli (მაჭახელი, "Mach'akheli" in Georgian, Macahel in Turkish), is a historical geographical area and long valley along the river Machakhlistskal(i) between Turkey and Georgia. There are 18 settled villages in this valley.

The area had been part of the Georgian kingdom until its fragmentation in the late 15th century. Then it passed to the semi-independent princes of Samtskhe (also known effectively as Saatabago (საათაბაგო) for the rule of atabegs from the Jak'eli family), who submitted to the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II in 1479. The area gained particular fame for its production of muskets nicknamed "Machakhela" from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries. Machakheli came sporadically under the control of Imperial Russia during her numerous wars with the Ottoman State. After the implementation of the new Turkish-Soviet and Turkish-Georgian border in 1921, Machakheli was divided between two entities.

Today, the part known as Upper Machakheli is in Turkey, in Borçka district of Artvin Province. It has six villages. The centre of all Machakheli, Khertvisi (ხერთვისი), was renamed as "Camili" in 1925 and the vicinity has also become known as Camili. The area is renowned throughout Turkey for its intensive practices of beekeeping and the high quality of honey it produces. Lower Machakheli is in Adjara autonomous republic of Georgia and has twelve villages.

See also

*Şavşat
*Imerkhevi

External links

* [http://e-turkey.net/v/artvin_macahel/ Macahel Guide with Photos]
* [http://www.machakhela.ge/Photoes/9.htm Photos from the gorge]