About Sights – Vanis Kvabebi Cave Monastery

Vanis Kvabebi (Georgian: ვანის ქვაბები) is a cave monastery in Samtskhe-Javakheti region near the more famous cave city of Vardzia. Begun in the eighth century, the monastery complex consists of 16 levels of cells, storerooms and stair tunnels.  There are two churches in the complex, including a small domed church that clings to the rock … Continue reading

About Sights – The Cave City of Vardzia

Vardzia (Georgian: ვარძია) is a spectacular cave monastery site in southern Georgia, dug out of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Mtkvari River in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. It was the easternmost bastion of Christianity and holds special significance for Georgians because it is associated with King Tamar, the most famous woman in Georgian history (she was crowned king, … Continue reading