Chikovani’s Last Name comes from Svaneti. Centuries ago, surname started migration to Lechkhumi, Imereti and Samegrelo. One of Chikovani surname tribes, which since 1704 had Samegrelo nobles - Dadianis title, is related with village Gordi.
Katsia Chikovani was promoted during the years 1661-1680 by lord Levan III Dadiani. King of Imereti Bagrat IV gave him, vizier, and give to rule Lechkhumi and sainasaridzo territory. Soon after, the katsia takes Head of the stewards in Samegrelo.
Dadiani gave Saliparitiano to Katsia and as the owner of the Salipatitiano’s territory admitted him as Liparitiani. Chikovani has contributed to the strengthening of the king of Imereti with Levan Dadiani and go between the falling Lechkhumi for confrontation. Katsia advantage of quarrels even the door began to Samegrelo principal greatness narrowing. By Katsia’s initiative, in 1704 his grandson Katsia I was consecrated as Dadiani and he started new dynasty of Odishi lords.
Ucha and Olia
Katsia Chikovani’s brother, Evdomos Chkondideli, was archbishop of the Martvili church. Martvili Monastery always held an important place in the history of Georgia. One of the monasteries archbishops George Chkondideli made invaluable role in bringing up the King David the Builder.
Dimitri
In Gordi, in the Dadiani Palace, the last elder of the family was our great-grandfather, Dimitri Konstantinovich Chikovani (1861-1937). Dimitri's three sons fell victim to the struggle against the Bolsheviks. Dimitri himself in 1937, 74-year-old man in his maturity Soviet authorities sentenced him to death.
Dimitir's great-grandfather - Beko (1780 -?), Was the founder of this lands. Beko had 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. One of the grandchildren was Dimitri Chikovani, who had 16 children. Unfortunately, at present, this ancient branch of the Chikovani, the genus has only two young successor: Dmitri Tamazi’s son and Papuna Ucha's son.
IIn recent years, the situation has changed. In 2018, 2021, and 2025, three more boys were born: Ucha, Alexander, and Vache, the sons of Papuna Chikovani.
In the late 1930s, when the estate fell on hard times due to the repressions, the savior of the estate, Mrs. Olya (Domna) Gogelia, wife of Ucha Dimitrievich, arrived from Batumi.
It is to her credit that the estate has survived to this day. She passed away at the age of 98. Until her last days, she retained a healthy mind and an extraordinary sense of humor.
As she herself said, it was thanks to her hard work that she lived so long. Her calloused hands were proof of this.
One of her main missions in life was to warmly welcome guests. Apparently, frequent visits gave her the opportunity to showcase the achievements of her labor. Perhaps her soul rejoices that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, raised by her example, have preserved this tradition.
God Bless All Georgia and Chikovani's Lands
Historical Photos
Dimitri Chikovani Children
(First Form Left)
Dimitri Chikovani's Daughters
Dimitri Chikovani's Grandchildren
Ucha Chikovani
