Samegrelo is a historical – geographical side of western Georgia that covers the territories between the rivers Rioni, Tskhenistskali, Enguri and the Black Sea. Its central city is Zugdidi. The Samegrelo region had a great strategic importance throughout its history, because of this, it became the object of numerous invasions by armies of the Romans, Byzantines, Mongols, Turks, Persians, Russians and others. This region is rich in cultural monuments of different eras and impressive nature, blue lakes and very beautiful canyons.
In ancient times, Samegrelo was a part of the Kingdom of Colchis. Colchis completely covered the territory of present-day western part of Georgia. Prior to the modern era, the region was also known as Lazika and Egrisi. Its political center was Archeopolis (or Nokalakevi). The myth of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece is related to Nokalakevi. The Romans conquered this area in the first century BC and ruled it for almost 400 years. In the XI century, the western and eastern Georgia were united into one kingdom, which existed until the XI century. By the end of the XI century, Georgia was divided into three independent states: Kartli, Kakheti and Imereti. Several principalities were created, one of which was Odishi. It covered the whole territory of present-day Samegrelo. From the middle of the XII century through the XIX century, Odishi was ruled by the representatives of the Dadiani family.