Zhinvali Reservoir
Updated: November 6, 2026
Mtskheta-Mtianeti · Georgian Military Road
Zhinvali Reservoir is an artificial lake on the Aragvi River near the town of Zhinvali, on the Georgian Military Road. It was formed by a dam built in 1986.
The water is turquoise, and Ananuri Fortress stands on the shore. People stop here for the view on the way to Gudauri and Kazbegi.
The reservoir provides drinking water for Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Rustavi, and the Zhinvali hydropower plant provides electricity.
- WhereDusheti district, Georgian Military Road
- From Tbilisiabout an hour by car
- Dam102 m high, 1986
- Volume520 million m³
- Stopabout 10 minutes at the viewpoint
Tours with a stop at Zhinvali Reservoir
9.2602 reviewsAnanuri excursion from Tbilisi
9.2291 reviewsKazbegi Day Trip from Tbilisi
9.6793 reviewsGudauri excursion from Tbilisi in 1 day
9.0558 reviewsGudauri + Kazbegi: a 2-day winter tour
9.2602 reviewsKhevsureti tour: Shatili and Mutso
9.2291 reviewsHorse riding tour in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
9.6399 reviewsTour of all Georgia — every region 2026
History of the reservoir
The Zhinvali hydropower plant was built in the 1980s: the first unit started in 1985, and in 1986 the dam blocked the Aragvi and formed the reservoir.
The water rose right up to the walls of Ananuri Fortress — hence the famous view of the fortress above the turquoise water.
Dam and power plant
The dam is an embankment dam of gravel fill: 102 m high and 415 m long. The reservoir’s total volume is 520 million m³.
The plant’s four turbines produce 130 MW. Besides electricity, it supplies drinking water to Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Rustavi.
What to see
- Viewpoint on the highway — the whole reservoir is in view, and on calm days the mountains are reflected in the water.
- Ananuri Fortress — 2 km away, 17th-century churches and towers above the water.
- Dam — near the town of Zhinvali, at the southern end of the reservoir.
Best time to visit
In the morning, before 10:00, there are fewer tourists and the water is at its brightest. In calm weather the mountains are reflected in the water like a mirror.
How to get there
- By car: about an hour from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road towards Kazbegi.
- By minibus: from Didube bus station towards Pasanauri and Kazbegi.
- On a tour: the stop is part of excursions to Ananuri, Gudauri and Kazbegi — more in the article about the Georgian Military Road.
Tips
- 10 minutes at the viewpoint is enough for photos.
- Ananuri is 2 km away — allow about an hour for the fortress.
- Near Zhinvali a road branches off the highway into the Pshavi valley and on, over the Datvisjvari Pass, to Shatili.
Zhinvali Reservoir photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons
What to see at Zhinvali Reservoir
Ananuri Fortressa 17th-century fortress on the shore of the reservoir
Zhinvali Dama 102 m high embankment dam
Zhinvali Reservoir on the map
Zhinvali Reservoir FAQ
Where is Zhinvali Reservoir?
On the Aragvi River, on the Georgian Military Road, near the town of Zhinvali in Dusheti district.
How long is the drive from Tbilisi?
About an hour by car along the Georgian Military Road.
When was the reservoir created?
In 1986, when the dam of the Zhinvali hydropower plant blocked the Aragvi.
Where does Tbilisi’s water come from?
Zhinvali Reservoir supplies drinking water to Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Rustavi.
What is there to see nearby?
Ananuri Fortress on the shore; further along the road — Pasanauri, Gudauri and Kazbegi.
Are there tours with a stop at the reservoir?
Yes, the stop is part of excursions to Ananuri, Gudauri and Kazbegi. They are listed above on this page.
Photo sources
- tamarata5, Pinterest
- polevijezametki, Pinterest
- salsalberadze, Pinterest
- tamarata5, Pinterest
- klook_official, Pinterest
- WTGeorgia, Pinterest
- polevijezametki, Pinterest
- Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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