Small town Aspindza is the Center of Aspindza municipality, with a total area of 828 km3. It is located in the eastern part of the Akhalkalaki plateau, on the right bank of the middle Mtkvari River, 1090 meters above sea level from the sea level, on the S-11 highway, 34 km south-east of the city of Akhaltsikhe, and 248 km from Tbilisi.

The name “Aspindza” comes from Persian and signifies a large inn on a major road, providing shelter and a fortress. Aspindza, as a populated place, dates back to 888 AD.

In the late 16th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire. During the construction of the Gurjistan Vilayet’s Great Road, Aspindza was a 50-kilometer-long village with gardens and vineyards, with a population of 25,000 households.

In 1625, Aspindza was involved in a conflict with the Giorgi Saakadze who defeated the Kurdish forces. In the 1770 “Aspindza Battle,” Erekle II defeated the combined forces of Ottomans and Lezgins. In 1829, under the Treaty of Adrianople, Aspindza was incorporated into the Russian Empire’s Imereti region, along with other territories. During Soviet rule, Aspindza developed as a center of agriculture, industry, and tourism, with several factories.

Aspindza’s climate is diverse, ranging from steppe to cold, with a continental climate. The average temperature in January is -2.2°C, in August it’s 20.3°C, with an annual average of 9.4°C. The absolute minimum temperature is -29°C, and the absolute maximum is 39°C.

Aspindza is known for its local balneological resort, utilizing thermal waters. The water is slightly mineralized (0.9 g/l) chloride-sodium-calcium thermal water (42°C), with a low flow of 0.5 l/day, mainly used by patients with rheumatological, peripheral nervous system, and gynecological diseases (chronic stage).