Rustavi (Georgian რუსთავი) - a town in south-eastern Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura River 11 kilometers south-east of Tbilisi.Ancient History [edit | edit source code ]
Rustavi - one of the oldest cities in Georgia , who played a significant role in its history . Georgian historian 11 . Leonti Mroveli mentions Rustavi fortresses of opposing forces of Alexander the Great . This allows the base date Rustavi 5-4 centuries . BC. e .
In his book "The Life of Kings" Leonti Mroveli writes that King Tiridates , the 28th king of Kartli (end of the 4th century BC. E . ) , Built a church and a canal. Academician Nicolaus Berdzenishvili writes that since Rustavi seen as an important administrative center.
During the reign of Vakhtang Gorgasali ( 5th century ) Rustavi plays a prominent role in the political life of Georgia . In Rustavi established a bishopric , which lasted until the 13th century when it was destroyed by the Mongols . Then was transferred to the bishopric Martkopi , however, bore the title of Bishop Martkopi Rustavi ( Rustaveli ) .
The political significance of Rustavi is also confirmed by archeological investigations in the fortress Rustavi; ruins were discovered structures dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries . n . e . In 1068 Georgia invaded the Seljuk Turks under Sultan Alparsana .
In 1097 David the Builder stopped paying tribute to the Seljuk Turks . In 1104 he joined the Kakheti - Hereti . In 1105 he defeated the army of the Emir of Ganja. In the hands of the Muslims were only in Tbilisi , Rustavi, Samshvilde , Somhiti and Agarani . In 1110, David took Samshvilde in 1115 - Rustavi, 1122 - Tbilisi.
In 1265 the Caucasus troops invaded Berka Khan , the ruler of the Golden Horde. Georgia fought simultaneously with two enemies - Iran and the Mongols. Rustavi was again razed to the ground troops of Tamerlane .
Modern History [edit | edit source code ]
During the industrialization of Rustavi became an important industrial center. There are steel mills , chemical plants, as well as the important railway station on a branch of Tbilisi- Baku. In Tbilisi was built about 90 large and medium-sized industrial enterprises. Main industrial center was Rustavi Metallurgical Plant , built in 1941-1950 years. to process iron from neighboring Azerbaijan . Workers were collected from all over the country, including the poorest agricultural regions of western Georgia. Developed not only metals, but also the production of cement, chemicals and synthetic fibers. August 30, 1944 there was the first local newspaper - " Metallurgiisatvis " ( in Georgian - "For Metallurgy "). In 1948 there are new streets, the first of which is named after the Young Communist League , the second - after the builders of Rustavi , and the third - the name of an ancient settlement Bostan- Kalaki . January 19, 1948 decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, Tbilisi was granted city status of national importance. April 27, 1950 the whole city was celebrating the first industrial production of steel in Georgia. In the construction of the city participated and German POWs .
Modern Rustavi is divided into two parts - Dzveli Rustavi ( Old Rustavi) and Akhali Rustavi (New Rustavi) . The first is dominated by Stalinist architecture , while the second is dominated by the Soviet block construction . The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, became a disaster Rustavi , as this integration has collapsed in the Soviet economy , providing the activity of the core enterprises . Most industrial enterprises were closed , and 65 % of the population lost their jobs , leading to an increase in crime and poverty. The number of residents has dropped from 160,000 in mid-1990 to 116,000 in 2002 . New York artist Greg Lindkist documented destruction Rustavicement plant in his paintings and installations («Nonpasts», 2010 ) .
Georgian State Academic Ensemble "Rustavi" [edit | edit source code ]
Georgian State Academic Ensemble "Rustavi" was founded in 1968. For 35 years he has spent more than 3,000 concerts and performed successfully in more than 50 countries.
Speedway "Rustavi" [edit | edit source code ]
End of the Soviet Union built in fixed lines for circuit racing . The first race took place in late 1979 Stages USSR championships held at the circuit Rustavi 11 times ( 1979-1989) . After the collapse of the USSR track is not reconstructed , pavement fell into disrepair . In 2009 a plot of land with a ruined podium and dilapidated pavement was purchased at a public auction by a private company " Stromos ", which reconstructs the complex requirements of Category II FIA.
Trade and services [edit | edit source code ]
In August 2007 opened the first supermarket Rustavi national network «Populi».
Population [edit | edit source code ]
According to the Soviet census of 1989 in Rustavi human population 158,661 [1]. According to the 2002 census, the city population was 116,384 people , in 2008 the city's population was 135,000 people.
