Samtskhe–Javakheti (Georgian: სამცხე-ჯავახეთი, pronounced [samtsʰχe dʒavaχetʰi], Armenian: Սամցխե-Ջավախեթի, romanized: Samts’khe-Javakhet’i) is a region (mkhare) in southern Georgia with a population of 147.400 (2023[2]) and an area of 6,413 km2 (2,476 sq mi).

Georgia's largest river, the Mtkvari, flows through the region from Turkey, a few miles north of Kartsakhi Lake.

In this gorge the large historic cave monastery Vardzia is situated, an important tourist attraction.

The region has six municipalities with 82 administrative communities (temi)[1] and a total of 271 populated settlements: According to data from the National Statistical Bureau of Georgia, Samtskhe–Javakheti had 151,110 inhabitants as of January 1, 2021,[2] a decrease of 6% compared to the 2014 census.

In struggle against the Arab occupation, Bagrationi dynasty came to rule over Tao-Klarjeti and established the Kouropalatate of Iberia.

For a long time the region became a cultural safe-house and one of the most important religious centers of Georgia.

In 964 Leon III of Abkhazia extended his influence to Javakheti, during his reign was built Kumurdo Cathedral.

[12][13] In subsequent centuries, Javakheti was integral part of unified Georgian monarchy and had a period of significant development: lot of bridges, churches, monasteries, and royal residences (Lgivi, Ghrtila, Bozhano, Vardzia) were built.

In the 16th century, the region, as well as the adjacent territories of western Georgia, was occupied by the Ottoman Empire.

The remaining Muslim minority in Meskheti, also known as "Meskhetian Turks", were deported in cattle-trucks to Central Asia by order of Stalin and settled within an area that overlaps the boundaries of the modern nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

[15] The major tourist attractions are the cave monasteries of Vardzia (which was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185), Vanis Kvabebi (which dates from the 8th century), Rabati Castle and Khertvisi Fortress.