Orkhevi, Tbilisi

Orkhevi (Georgian: ორხევი, pronounced [ɔrxɛvi] ^ⓘ; formally Orkhevi Settlement, Georgian: ორხევის დასახლება, pronounced [ɔrxɛvis dasaxlɛba] ^ⓘ) is a settlement (dasakhleba) and suburb in the eastern part of Tbilisi, within the Samgori District. It stands on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, between the settlements of Samgori-II and Zemo (Upper) Alekseevka. The well-planned workers' settlement was established in the mid-20th century to house the builders and engineers of the Samgorvodstroy trust, responsible for constructing the Tbilisi Reservoir and the Samgori irrigation system. Over time, it has transformed from a Soviet-era industrial hub into a residential area with mixed-use development.

The area of the settlement was inhabited as far back as the Late Bronze Age (13th–11th centuries BCE), as evidenced by numerous archaeological findings. The modern history of Orkhevi began in 1948 with the establishment of a key industrial and logistical base for the Samgorvodstroy trust. The settlement was rapidly developed with residential buildings and its own social infrastructure.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Orkhevi's industrial profile expanded significantly with the construction of large enterprises, including a strategically important reinforced concrete plant for the Tbilisi Metro and a branch of a building materials factory, among other industries. Archival sources from this period provide a detailed look into the life of the settlement, documenting both official achievements and the daily challenges faced by its residents.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union marked a new chapter in Orkhevi's history, characterized by the privatization of Soviet enterprises, a rise in crime—notably the widely publicized case of the "Orkhevi maniac"—and a simultaneous spiritual revival, symbolized by the construction of the Church of St. Nino. In the 21st century, the settlement has faced modern challenges, including social protests, environmental issues, and conflicts over illegal construction. At the same time, a period of active urban improvement has begun, with road renovations, rehabilitation of social facilities, and the creation of new recreational areas.