Salkhino, the place of feasts
How a wooden house became the palace of the princes of Mingrelia, and why the village is called Salkhino.
Photo: Alexey KomarovIn Georgian, "lkhini" means a feast or celebration, and "Salkhino" is the place of feasts. The name fits: the Dadiani summer residence was famous for its parties.
From wood to stone
At first a modest wooden house stood here. In the first half of the 19th century Levan Dadiani built a two-storey stone palace in its place. It was inherited by his granddaughter, Salome Dadiani-Murat, who was raised in Western Europe.
The French connection
Salome Dadiani married Achille Murat, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, which linked the Dadiani to the French imperial family. The last great celebration at the palace was the wedding of their son, Lucien Murat.
Today
The palace is a residence of the Patriarch of Georgia and is usually closed inside. Open to visitors are the park, the 18th-century Church of the Virgin and the wine cellar with its 12 qvevri.
Salkhino has a new website
mysalkhino.ge brings places, stories, photos and videos together in three languages.
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