First settlement emerged on the territory of present Telavi in Late Bronze Age. In late ancient period, there was already an urban type settlement here. Telavi was first mentioned in "Geographia" by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus, also known as Ptolemy (II century). From XI century, Telavi became a center of Kakhet-Hereti Samtavro. Scores of trade-caravan routes were traversing Telavi. From second half of XIII century, after invasions of Mongols, importance of the town demoted. From XV-XVI centuries, the town again progressed, but its further development was hindered by invasions of Iranian Shah-Abbas I (XVII). In second half of XVII, King of Kakheti Archil II moved his residence from Gremi to Telavi. In this period, the town turned into a hub of bibliophily. A philosophic-theological school was founded there, that was later rebuilt into a residence. Once Imperial Russia annexed Kartl-Kakheti (1801), Telavi became a center of Telavi Mazra - a new administrative-territorial unit.
An ancient settlement of Late Bronze Age was discovered in historic neighborhoods of Telavi - pitcher burial places of early centuries BC and AD. Several architectural complexes are found within the old fence, including ruins of medieval artisan districts, and royal palaces of archbishops, the Kakheti leaders.
The deity church, the oldest from Telavi architectural monuments (V-VI centuries) is a dominant in the towns architectural silhouette. In second half of XVIII century Telavi obtained an image characteristic for medieval town. The urban ensemble is outlined with four big fortresses: old fence, Batoni Fortress, Fortresses of the Korghanashvilis and Vakhvakhishvilis. A royal church was built in the same period, as well as a cannon pier. The tower erected in the center of the town belongs to the same period. First floor of the tower is a church-chapel, the upper one is a shelter. From second half of XIX century the town was built outside the fortress walls, the abutments merged with dwelling houses, while the territory of the Batoni Fortress was also modified. Modern buildings are organically harmonized with the old town. Today Telavi is the administrative center of Kakheti region
An ancient settlement of Late Bronze Age was discovered in historic neighborhoods of Telavi - pitcher burial places of early centuries BC and AD. Several architectural complexes are found within the old fence, including ruins of medieval artisan districts, and royal palaces of archbishops, the Kakheti leaders.
The deity church, the oldest from Telavi architectural monuments (V-VI centuries) is a dominant in the towns architectural silhouette. In second half of XVIII century Telavi obtained an image characteristic for medieval town. The urban ensemble is outlined with four big fortresses: old fence, Batoni Fortress, Fortresses of the Korghanashvilis and Vakhvakhishvilis. A royal church was built in the same period, as well as a cannon pier. The tower erected in the center of the town belongs to the same period. First floor of the tower is a church-chapel, the upper one is a shelter. From second half of XIX century the town was built outside the fortress walls, the abutments merged with dwelling houses, while the territory of the Batoni Fortress was also modified. Modern buildings are organically harmonized with the old town. Today Telavi is the administrative center of Kakheti region
