The first settlement on the territory of Gremi probably appeared in the Late Bronze Age, but its history as a strategically and politically important town began in the 15th century. In the late feudal era Gremi was one of Kakheti's commercial, economic and cultural centers, and in 1466 it became the capital of the kingdom of Kakheti. From the 15th century manuscripts were copied here; King David, Queen Ketevan, Teimuraz I and others pursued literary and cultural work here. A tradition survives among the people to this day of a scholarly institution — an academy — at Gremi; important caravan routes passed through it.