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KHERTVISI
SAMTSKHE FORTRESS
275 Km from Tbilisi
Unknown
Khertvisi Fortress - ranks among one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, but the exact date of its construction is not known. The fortress already existed in the 10th c, although there is an evidence of earlier construction work. According to a legend, Queen Tamar held a competition to see who could
build the best tower. From the eastern wall two tunnels lead down to the river, one served as a water supply route, the other for communication. A legend has it that Alexander the Great visited the site during his Eastern Campaign in the 4th century BC.
NARIKALA
TBILISI FORTRESS
1, 5 Km from Liberty Squire
4 th C
Narikala fortress or Shuris Tsikhe - the Rival Fortress, is the ancient site of Tbilisi built by Arabs in 4th c. Much of what we see today, dates from 8th c. With its unique strategic location both local rulers and foreign invaders looked to make Narikala their headquarters.
The Shakhtakhti Tower was built as an observatory. Archaelogical research in 1967 revealed that there was a twelfth century church inside the Narikala complex. The church was rebuilt in 1996 and designed in keeping with the fortress surrounding it. The interior is decorated with frescoes, depicting both biblical scenes and the history of Georgia.
SIGHNAGHI
KAKHETI FORTRESS
144 Km from Tbilisi
18 th C
Sighnaghi - a Royal town surrounded by the defensive walls with 23 towers. Each of these towers were named after nearby villages and respective families and served as a refuge in case of danger.
These unique walls were built by King Herecle II to protect the area from incursions by Lezgins from north Caucasus. The town was mainly inhabited by merchants and artisans. It had many gates through which numerous Silk Road travellers from Asia and Europe passed on their way.
JVARI
KARTLI/ MTSKHETA CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
30 Km from Tbilisi
6 th - 7 th CC
Jvari is a masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. It stands on a mountain opposite the ancient city of Mtskheta. St. Nino erected the first wooden cross at the site. Its pedestal can still be seen in the centre of the church. This example of classic tetra conch design with all its miniature size, strikes the viewers with its grandeur and integrity.
The interior, once decorated with mosaics is rather bare today, but a spectacular view opens from the church, which is seen from far away, equally well from all directions.
SVETITSKHOVELI
KARTLI/ MTSKHETA CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
25 Km from Tbilisi
11 th C
Svetitskhoveli - which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar", is the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. An enormous cedar tree grew on a place where Christ's robe was buried. The place was chosen as a site for the future church.
The branches of This magic tree served for constructed pillars. This bright example of Georgian renaissance architecture was erected by architect Arsukidze in 11th c, in the place where the first church in Georgia once stood in the 4th c.
USHGULI
SVANETI FORTIFICATION
550 Km from Tbilisi
Medieval CC
Ushguli - This architecturally unique Middle Age village-fortification is situated 2200 m above see level, and is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. Surrounded by the giant snow capped mountains, it lies below mount Chkhara (5200), one of the highest, and most beautiful on the Georgian part of the Caucasus range.
Ushguli is a complex of watch-towers, dwelling-houses and ancient one-nave basilicas with impressive mural paintings. There is a belief that the ruins of Queen Tamar's fortress may be a secret burial place of this glorious queen so much beloved and venerated by Georgians.
GELATI
IMERETI CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
259 Km from Tbilisi
12 th C
Gelati complex comprises the churches of the Virgin (the main church), of St Nicolas, of St. George, as well as the academy which was the centre of cultural and spiritual life. The Gelaty monastery complex was founded by King David the Builder in the 12th c. It is noted by the finest examples of Georgian mural painting. Among them is the only surviving portrait of King David the Builder whose grave can be found at the gateway of the monastery. The giant 12th century mosaic of the Virgin with Child is completely unique.
BAGRATI
IMERETI RUINS OF DOMED CHURCH
250 Km from Tbilisi
10 th - 11 th CC
Bagrati church of the Assumption of the Virgin was built by King Bagrat III in Kutaisi, in 1003 AD. It is a marvellous example of domed-church architecture from the high Medieval period, noted with impressive examples of stone carving.
Partially ruined cathedral is situated on the top of the hill called Ukimerioni and commands a splendid view of Georgia's second city, Kutaisi. This was an ancient citadel, a royal palace and one of the most important castles from 6th to 17th c.
UPLISTSIKHE
KARTLI CAVE TOWN - FORTRESS
80 Km from Tbilisi
1 st half of 1st mill. BC
Uplistsikhe - meaning "The Fortress of God" is an ancient cave town from the 1st half of the 1st millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routs. It was the main centre of paganism, and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacy, passages-streets all carved out of stone
over an area of 4 hectares. At its peak of prosperity, the city had a population of 20 000. In 9th -10th cc AD a three-nave basilica was added to the complex.
VARDZIA
SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI CAVE TOWN
144 Km from Tbilisi
12th-13th cc.
Vardzia a rock-hewn complex on the left bank of the river Mtkvari was founded in the 12th -13th cc. during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. Initially planned as a town-fortress, the complex became a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational
and spiritual life of the country. Its nineteen tiers extend from east to west, the dwellings were hewn and tunnels hollowed out into the cliff from south to north. There are two-room, three-room and four-room cliff dwellings in Vardzia, including two-storey ones; galleries and vertical tunnels, secret passes and a pharmacy. In the middle of the complex there is a Church of Assumption, richly decorated with mural painting. Behind the church there is a pool which served as a spring water reservoir, and was considered holy.
SVETITSKHOVELI
KARTLI/ MTSKHETA CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
25 Km from Tbilisi
11 th C
Svetitskhoveli - which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar", is the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. An enormous cedar tree grew on a place where Christ's robe was buried. The place was chosen as a site for the future church.
The branches of This magic tree served for constructed pillars. This bright example of Georgian renaissance architecture was erected by architect Arsukidze in 11th c, in the place where the first church in Georgia once stood in the 4th c.
DMANISI
KARTLI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
85 Km from Tbilisi
2 nd Milennium BC
Dmanisi, the site of a medieval town located at the confluence of two rivers, has been registered as an archaeological site since excavations began there in 1936. An archaeologist came across the remains of an ancient man.
The research confirmed that the Dmanisi remains are the oldest and the most primitive in Eurasia. On the basis of paleontological, archaeological and hominid materials, scholars dated the site as 1.7 to 1.8 years old.
DZALISI
KARTLI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
50 km from Tbilisi
3rd-2nd Millenium BC
Dzalisi Archaeological site consists of several layers from the Bronze Age (3rd-2nd Millenium BC). It was the second Capital of Kartli Kingdom up to the period of its decline from 5th c. AD to 8th c. AD. The site represents an amazing architectural complex - the residence of the second King of Kartli Kingdom whose reign lasted from the middle of the first century AD up to the 5th century. The site boasts four palaces and hypo-caustic baths, acropolis, swimming pool, administrative part, barracks for soldiers, water supply system and burial grounds of the first settlements (Second millennium BC). The baths are famous with splendid mosaics depicting scenes from the ancient Greek mythology which are influenced by the Dionysus cult.
GONIO
ADJARA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
395 Km from Tbilisi
1 st C AD
The ruins at Gonio - known as "Asparunt" (3rd - 2nd cc. BC), meaning "the place of water", held one of Georgia's ancient and most significant archaeological discoveries. During the period of its prosperity, local rulers of Colchis once commanded one of the biggest ports on the Black Sea coast. Gonio fortress is a best example of Roman-Byzantine military architecture, spread over almost 5 hectares of territory with 18 original towers of the Roman Period.
NOKALAKEVI
SAMEGRELO
350 km from Tbilisi
13th c BC
Nokalakevi site represents the archaeological and architectural complex, with well-fortified systems, palaces and baths, trump arch, churches and unique tunnel. The whole area presents 20 hectares within the walls. The site developed from 13th c BC till 6th c AC. Several workshops for making small ceramic ritual sculptures and beads, a ritual
place with two-headed zoomorphic ceramic figurines - the symbols of fertility, cone shaped objects from weaving loom for manufacturing of linen, a cemetery, and more then 200 burial grounds have been found during excavations.
UPLISTSIKHE
KARTLI CAVE TOWN FORTRESS
80 km from Tbilisi
1 st half of 1st mill. BC
Uplistsikhe - meaning "The Fortress of God" is an ancient cave town from the 1st half of the 1st millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routs. It was the main centre of paganism, and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacy, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares. At its peak of prosperity, the city had a population of 20 000.In 9th -10th cc AD a three-nave basilica was added to the complex.
VANI
IMERETI ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
300 km from Tbilisi
8th c BC
Vani archaeological site developed from 8th c BC till the 1st c AD, although archaeological studies have revealed uninterrupted existence of the settlement during almost the entire 1st millennium BC. The excavations revealed the sanctuary with traces of fire, numerous potteries and figurines of animals, sacrificial grounds, clay vessels, cultic ritual remains, objects of household economy and weapons. The name "Vani" in old Georgian language means "house" or "apartment". This term occurs in old Georgian sources dating as far back as the 5th - 6th c. AD.