The Court of the House of Dadiani (Zugdidi) | park, interesting place

 park, interesting place

Appointed as hereditary Eristavi (dukes) of Odishi (Samegrelo) in reward for their military services, the family had become the most powerful feudal house in western Georgia by the 1280s. At that time, the branches of the family governed also Svaneti and Guria.

In 1557, Duke Levan I Dadiani became hereditary Prince (mtavari) of Mingrelia and established himself as an independent ruler. His descendant Prince Levan III Dadiani was forced to abdicate in 1691 and Dadiani`s relatives from the Chikovani (ჩიქოვანი in Georgian) family inherited the title of Princes of Mengrelia and the surname of Dadiani.

Accepting Russian sovereignty in 1802, the Dadiani were elevated to the dignity of Prince of the Russian Empire and enjoyed significant independence in their home affairs. Niko Dadiani, the last Prince of Samegrelo was deposed and his principality was abolished by the Russian government on January 4, 1857. Prince Niko Dadiani officially renounced his rights to the throne in 1868.

dadiani.si.edu/zugdidi.html