Racha is located in the north-eastern part of western Georgia and is divided into three parts: mountain Racha, upper and lower Racha. The landscape in Racha is mountainous. The population mostly live in the villages which are between the mountains.
Rachveli people can be characterized as very calm. Folk culture, dancing and singing is very popular in Racha. One of the interesting old traditions is Rachuli mourning “zari” which today we can meet only in the villages in high mountains.
Rachveli people’s occupations are farming, gardening, beekeeping but viticulture is particularly popular. The most famous is Rachuli Khvanchkara wine which is produced in the village of Khvanchkara. Rachuli wine has been popular since 19th century on the European exhibitions. In Racha we can often see the grapes species grown by locals.
The most famous dish of Racha cuisine is shkmeruli. Also, Rachveli people especially love the pork ham so lobiani da khachapuri are also made with ham. They are baking lobiani in “tone” as bread.
There are many ethnographic monuments of feudal times in Racha. The area is rich with resort zones that attract visitors throughout all the seasons. Shaori water reservoir is very popular among Georgian and foreign tourists.
