Situated in the serene Kvemo Kartli region of Eastern Georgia, Sartichala is a village known for its significant historical roots and cultural heritage. According to the 2002 population census, Sartichala, with its 7,041 residents, is the fifth largest village in Georgia.
In 1578, Vakhushti and Ioane Batonishvili noted the existence of the settlement, initially named Satischala. Notably, on September 21, 1818, a group of Swabian Germans established the first German settlement in the South Caucasus, Marienfeld, close to Tbilisi. The following year saw the emergence of five additional colonies, including Petersdorf near Marienfeld, which is now an integral part of Sartichala.
However, this diverse cultural mix changed drastically during the Soviet period. From October 1941 to April 1942, the Soviet authorities deported a significant population of 19,186 German families from the area.
Faith shines bright in Sartichala, a village enriched with a spiritual atmosphere that is epitomized by its five churches. The Church of Saint Lazarus, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Church of the Archangels, the Church of Saint Nicholas, and the Church of the Holy Trinity provide spiritual comfort and are important elements of the local community.
Positioned atop the Iori Plateau and nestled along the western bank of the Iori river, Sartichala stands 680 meters, or approximately 2,231 feet, above sea level. This tranquil village is located around 34 kilometers, or about 21 miles, east of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. As of the 2014 census, Sartichala had a population of 6,009.
The village's history is also intertwined with the oil industry. In July 1998, the Sartichala oil production plant was initiated, churning out naphtha, diesel, and fuel oil. But as fate would have it, the oil field in the Sartichala region of Samgori South Dome was depleted, with no large-scale discoveries made since. Regardless, the peaceful life in Sartichala continues undeterred, bearing witness to the resilience of its inhabitants.
