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 – 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 – 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 Sights – Narikala Fortress
Narikala (Georgian: ნარიყალა) is an ancient fortress on a steep hill overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Mtkvari River. The fortress was established in the 4th century and considerably expanded over subsequent centuries. Much of what remains today dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished. … Continue reading
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