Gachedili Canyon Natural Monument

Gachedili Canyon used to be a bath place for the Dadiani noble family. Well-preserved remains of a characteristic Megrelian two-storey mill operational in 18th and 19th centuries can be seen in canyon proximity. The lower canyon Dadiani trail has a 30 steps staircase made of large squares of limestone. According to the legend, this stairway was followed by George the Hagiorite and David IV of Georgia. == Morphology ==

Gachedili Canyon is long, wide and deep. In the center of the canyon, waterfalls with high drops exist. The Gachedili Canyon was carved by erosive action of the Abasha River in the limestone rocks of the southern part of the Ashkah massif in the Odishi-Guria plain. Canyon creation was triggered by a major earthquake, which was responsible for many Abbasid rifts. Limestone bridges preserved in two locations along canyon and provide evidence of the collapse of one or several karst caves. From the structural geology prospective it is evident that the fold was formed in Mesozoic and Paleocene sediments which are now exposed by canyon erosion. == Paleontological findings ==

Canyon provides paleontological insight into Mesozoic age and Paleogene age, the time of giant reptiles, mammals and birds. Also found were fragments of giant reptile of the extinct sea-Mosasaur. As a result of these findings, the Gachedili canyon was made a protected area by the government of Georgia in October 2010. == Flora and fauna ==

The Gachedili Canyon limestone cliffs are surrounded by Euxine-Colchic deciduous forests with typical mixed flora, including yew, black alder (Alnus glutinosa), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus and C. orientalis), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) together with evergreen Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and many varieties of mosses and ferns. The lower part of the Canyon is rich in trout and other species of fish. Amphibians and reptiles include European green toad (Bufotes viridis), hylidae, dice snake (Natrix tessellata). There are also birds of prey and several species of bats. == Tourist attractions ==

From the canyon visitor center, the 700 m long stone-paved tourist route has two bridges that lead to three canyon viewing platforms and to the historic Dadiani trail. Visitors are also offered a boat trip through canyon on a 300 meter long section of the Abasha river. One section of the canyon, known as the ''Dadiani's Bath'', boasts an exceptional beauty. The government has responded by restricting access through an electronic ticketing system in order to increase safe access for tourists and to preserve the natural beauty of the canyon - the hidden gem of Martvili. Water in the canyon stays very cold year around and does not get warmer as seasons change. == See also ==