About Sights – Mutso
Mutso (Georgian: მუცო) is one of the former Khevsur strongholds of the historic Georgian province of Khevsureti (now part of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region) in north-eastern Georgia. Its medieval fortified dwellings and towers are arranged on vertical terraces above the Mutso-Ardoti gorge. Recent restoration work by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation will help to preserve … Continue reading
About Sights – The Palace of King Erekle II in Telavi
“Batonis Tsikhe” (fortress of master) in Telavi (Georgian: თელავი) in Kakheti region is considered to be the best preserved medieval royal palace in Georgia. Built by King Archil in 1667-1675, it was the residence of Kakhetian kings during the 17th and 18th centuries. The site was expanded in the second half of the 18th century by King Erekle II (Georgian: … Continue reading
About Sights – Narikala Castle at Night
Narikala (Georgian: ნარიყალა) is an ancient fortress on a steep hill overlooking the Mtkvari River in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. At night, the walls and towers of this imposing castle are illuminated, creating a dramatic backdrop to the balconied houses of the Old Town. The fortress overlooks the bow shaped Bridge of Peace (Georgian: მშვიდობის ხიდი) pedestrian bridge that spans the Mtkvari … Continue reading
About Sights – Aerial Photographs of Gori Fortress
Gori Fortress (Georgian: გორის ციხე) is a 13th century castle, situated on a hill above the city of Gori (Georgian: გორი) in the Shida Kartli region of eastern Georgia. It was captured by the Ottomans in the 16th century and then continually changed hands between the Turks, the Georgians, and the Persians. Much of the … Continue reading
About Sights – Atskuri Fortress
Built in the 10th century, Atskuri Fortress (Georgian: აწყურის ციხე) occupied a highly defensible position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Mtkvari River, near Borjomi in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Atskuri was the last of the major fortifications along the Mtkvari River and of significant strategic importance. If it fell, southern Georgia would be open to enemy … Continue reading
About Sights – Khikhani Fortress
Khikhani Fortress (ხიხანის ციხესიმაგრე) in Khulo district of Ajara was built in the 13th century A.D. Inaccessible from three sides, the fortress occupied a strategic position and retained its military function for 700 years. It is believed that the site was originally occupied by a church (the Church of St. George) built in 1230 A.D. … Continue reading
About Sights – Nokalakevi Fortress
Nokalakevi (Georgian: ნოქალაქევი) is an archaeological site consisting of the remains of 4-6th century A.D fortress in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia. Occupying some 20 ha, the site was known to early Byzantine historians as Archaeopolis, and to Georgian chroniclers as Tsikhegoji (“Fortress of Kuji”). Occupying a strategic position in a loop of the Tekhuri River, … Continue reading
About Sights – Petra Fortress
Petra Fortress (Georgian: პეტრას ციხე) is located in the village of Tsikhisdziri in the Kobuleti district of Ajara. Built during the 6th century A.D., it held an important strategic position at the crossroads of the route linking Georgia with Iran and Armenia. The fortress is one of the most significant monuments on the entire eastern coast … Continue reading
About Sights – Gonio Fortress
Gonio fortress (Georgian: გონიოს ციხე) is a well preserved Roman fortification in Ajara, on the Black sea coast. Located on the left bank of the River Chorokhi the fortress is 12 km south of Batumi and just 4 km from the border with Turkey. The site is believed to hold the tomb of the Apostle Mathew … Continue reading
About Sights – Ujarma Fortress
Established by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century, Ujarma Fortress (Georgian: უჯარმა ციხე) was the second capital of Georgia until the 8th century. King Vakhtang Gorgasali is believed to have died there after he was wounded in battle against the Persians. The fortress consisted of two parts: the Upper Fortress (the Citadel) located on … Continue reading
About Sights – Gori Fortress
Gori Fortress (Georgian: გორის ციხე) is a 13th century castle in Georgia, situated on a hill above the city of Gori (Georgian: გორი) in the Shida Kartli region of eastern Georgia. Located on the main highway connecting eastern and western parts of Georgia it was of strategic importance for many centuries and was attacked several times by … Continue reading
About Sights – Khertvisi Fortress
Khertvisi fortress (Georgian: ხერთვისის ციხე) is situated in the Meskheti region of southern Georgia. Its strategic location guards the road connecting the towns of Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe. A fortification was first built on the site in the 2nd century BC but was reputedly destroyed by Alexander the Great. The present fortress dates from the fourteenth century. … Continue reading
About Sights – Rabati Castle – A Jewel in the Crown
The President of Georgia described the recently restored Rabati Castle as a “crown of restoration in Georgia”. Built in the 13th century, Rabati castle developed under the influence of different cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue. … Continue reading
About News – Charles Aznavour sings at opening ceremony of restored Rabati Castle
On August 16, world famous French singer Charles Aznavour sang in a special concert as part of the opening ceremony of the recently restored Rabati castle in Akhaltsikhe, Georgia. The concert was followed by fireworks and the unveiling of a ‘star’ that will be placed inside Rabati castle, honoring the singer. Addressing the audience, Aznavour … Continue reading
About Sights – Svanetian Towers
Svaneti (Georgian: სვანეთი) is situated on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains in the northwestern part of Georgia. It is the highest inhabited part of the Caucasus. The characteristic landscape of Upper Svaneti is formed by small villages situated on the mountain slopes, with a natural environment of gorges and alpine valleys and a backdrop of snow-covered … Continue reading
About Sights – Shatili
Shatili (Georgian: შატილი) is an historic highland village located in the deep Arghuni gorge on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus mountains near the border with Chechnya. Once part of the historical Georgian province of Upper Khevsureti, it is now part of the modern-day region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti. The village is actually a cluster of fortified flat-roofed stone dwellings and … Continue reading
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