Uplistsikhe is an ancient 3000-year-old cave city in the rock near the city of Gori. Once it was a large complex that included 700 caves (now about 150 have survived), where 20 thousand people lived. The city was connected by trade routes with other ancient states. When Tbilisi was captured by the Arabs in the 8th century, it was the capital of the Kartli region. Let's see the fort.

At the end of the 2nd - beginning of the 1st millennium BC. Uplistsikhe became a cult pagan center. People worshiped a female solar deity, whose symbol was the wheel.

By the 4th century BC. Uplistsikhe becomes a city, gradually expanding its borders. The city existed due to various donations and religious gifts. At the end of the 1st - beginning of the 2nd century AD. e. Several hundred different structures (temples, public buildings, houses) were carved into the rocks. Religion in those days represented here the pantheon of Georgian pagan gods (gods of the earth, the underworld, water, etc.). There were temples in honor of many deities that occupied the main area of ​​the city. The main temple, the Temple of the Sun, was destroyed by the first Christians after the Christianization of Georgia in 337 AD. e. After this same event, persecution of the priests began, and Christian churches arose on the site of the two main pagan temples.

Later Uplistsikhe changes hands. Georgian kings, Arabs, Armenians, Abkhazian kings, Seljuks. After the liberation of Georgia from the Arabs in the 12th century, Uplistsikhe began to fade away, and in the 13th - 14th centuries the city was destroyed by the Mongols and its role gradually faded away.

1. To get to the cave city on the rock, you need to climb through this tunnel. You feel either like a subway train or in the throat of a giant)
Once upon a time it was a secret city descent to the river

2. There is still no consensus on where the name came from. It is known to be very ancient. According to one version, it comes from the name of the legendary founder Uplos, the son of the founder of Mtskheta Mtskhetos, a descendant of Noah. According to another, it is translated as “God’s fortress”

4. People carved many different structures into the rocks. There are houses, temples, and public buildings here. The city also had drains and wells, and it was fortified against enemies by a wall with gates and a moat.

5. Uplistsikhe is located on the banks of the Kura. Once upon a time the river flowed closer, directly washing the rock, but then it changed its course, and a settlement arose on the bank. It existed until the 1960s - before archaeologists asked the authorities to resettle people to neighboring villages

6. Living in the rocks was safer from enemies. In addition, rocks were seen as a symbol of power

7. The construction of the premises in Uplistsikhe took place in 2 stages: first, the rock was hollowed out, and then the stone was ground into the required shape, which was similar to the creation of a sculpture.
The ceiling of one of the temples

8. Uplistsuli Church (Prince’s Church) 10-11th century. Built on the site of an older pagan temple

9. Pleasant to look at, love its tiled roof

10. The Makvliani Temple is visible on the right. This is the largest surviving pagan temple. Others were rebuilt into churches

11. Another temple under the church, the so-called “Long Temple”

12. Part of the ancient settlement and the Kura River in the distance

13. On the left are the remains of pagan altars that were used for animal sacrifices

15. She is the same. Under the modern grating is one of the sacrificial pits for the worship of pagan deities

16. Looking at the remains of the city, you don’t always understand where so many people lived here and that this is actually a former city

17. The interior of one of the buildings. I won’t say exactly which one, but many look similar inside

18. Uplistsuli Church again

19. Meanwhile, the wind blew, and the weather suddenly began to deteriorate. Clouds were coming from the mountains

20. It got colder. It would have been interesting to hide in one of the caves and wait out the rain in it, listening to how it would knock on the ancient stones, but we still had to get to Mtskheta in time. So we headed out

21. Uplistsikhe began to decline after the Mongols, who came here in the 13-14th centuries. The Mongols not only caused severe damage to the city, destroyed the walls (which were never restored), but also changed the landscape of the area - the forests that surrounded Uplistsikhe were burned.
Later, Uplistsikhe was used as a bunker - in case of enemies, the locals took refuge in its caves. At the beginning of the 20th century, the buildings were damaged by a strong earthquake. No one else settled here.

Since the 1950s, the settlement has become a tourist center, and archaeologists work here. A small earthquake in 2000 damaged some buildings. There is now a danger of damage to the complex due to sandstone erosion. Some experts are talking about serious damage over the next few decades if measures are not taken to preserve the cracks. The matter is complicated by the fact that Uplistsikhe is located in an earthquake region

This is one of the first cities in Georgia. Over more than three thousand years, more than 700 caves were carved out here in a huge sandstone rock, of which about 150 have survived to this day.

1. Uplistsikhe is located 12 km from Gori downstream of the Kura. On the way to it there is a modern cable-stayed bridge.

2. Sandstone cliffs hang over the road.

3. The city arose at the end of the 2nd - beginning of the 1st millennium BC, experienced several ups and downs, and was finally abandoned only in the 19th century.

4. After man developed the fertile lands of present-day Georgia in the Bronze Age, the pagan cult center of the area was initially located on the Katlaniskhevi hill, located three kilometers west of Uplistsikhe. After a strong fire on Katlaniskhevi, at the very beginning of the Iron Age, the cult center moved here.

5. In Uplistsikhe they worshiped a female solar deity, whose symbol later became the wheel.

6. This is what the main street of Uplistsikhe looks like now, which in the 4th century BC. became a city.

7. And this is the Sacred Road, passing to the city from the southeast. To the right of it rises the city wall, which is a sheer cliff.

8. Reservoir for water drainage.

9. At the end of the 1st - beginning of the 2nd century AD. Several hundred different structures were carved into the rocks, including temples, public buildings and residential buildings. The walls of some of them are still covered with soot from the fireplaces.

10. The growth of Uplistsikhe is associated with the formation of Iberia - the East Georgian kingdom, the capital of which was Mtskheta. Uplistsikhe was a temple city, the main cult center of Iberia.

11. Here are the remains of the most ancient altars on the southwestern edge of the city. Archaeologists have discovered multi-layered traces of animal sacrifices here.

12. At the bottom of the frame you can see the remains of an ancient temple, which was later rebuilt into a three-nave Christian basilica. In the center there is a sacrificial pit for the worship of chthonic deities, covered with a modern lattice.

13. The pits had a diameter from one to four meters, the depth of some of them reached 12 meters. Here is one of these pits, polluted by modern tourists.

14. Now almost the only permanent residents of the city are numerous lizards.

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16. This reptile is in the process of molting.

17. Many rock-cut rooms are decorated with imitation wooden or stone beams, columns and other architectural elements. In this sense, Uplistsikhe is similar to the Nabataean Petra.

18. The famous place of the city is the temple “with caissons”.

19. In the structure of Uplistsikhe, typical features of a city of the Hellenistic period can be traced: a protective ditch and walls protecting the city in those areas where there are no natural obstacles; paved roads; a tunnel going down to the river; water supply and wastewater disposal system.

20. According to ancient tradition, the city not only had a secret tunnel, but also four entrances, oriented to the cardinal points. The northwestern and northeastern gates had a clearly symbolic meaning and were not used in practice, since they faced steep cliffs that protected Uplistsikhe from the north.

21. The construction of premises in the city took place in two stages: first, rough gouging of the rock took place, then fine grinding of the stone to the required shape. Lapping used water and an abrasive stone, and this process not only gave the rock the required shape, but also applied a reliable protective layer to the surface of the sandstone.

22. Stairs in the city deserve a separate discussion. These could have been hollowed out tiny niches.

23. Here is a more “advanced” option.

24. There were these, wriggling, with narrow, uncomfortable steps.

25. But there were also full, wide and comfortable stairs.

26. Religion in Uplistsikhe was a typical set of polytheistic beliefs of its time: worship of the Sun deity, other heavenly bodies and the entire pantheon of Georgian pagan gods, including the gods of the earth, underground, water, etc.

27. Makvliani Temple is the largest (with an area of ​​300 m²) of the surviving temples of the Hellenistic period. Larger pagan temples were rebuilt into Christian churches.

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30.

31. The walls of the “Beautiful Temple” are covered with numerous niches and openings.

32. Caissons on the ceiling of one of the temples.

33. Tomaz Sanikidze, one of the leading archaeologists of the settlement, described the course of the religious holiday in Hellenistic Uplistsikhe based on the results of excavations:
“The priests placed a figurine of the goddess in a place of honor, began to ring bells and rattle rattles, spin the wheels, the spikes of which, touching the rivet, made a terrifying roar. They baked sacred bread with imprints of clay seals, slaughtered sacrificial animals and, after sprinkling the meat with holy water, cooked it over a sacred fire. They poured libations in honor of the deity with sacred wine from a large cellar, sang hymns, praising the ruler and thanking the Lord for the life and well-being given to them, and at dusk they performed a mystery in one of the temples.”

34. A carved face on one of the walls.

35. “The Hall of Queen Tamara” was built in the Hellenistic era, and in the Middle Ages it was converted into a royal residence.

36.

37. In 337, after the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia, an acute confrontation arose between the pagan Uplistsikhe and the first Christians.

38. The priests and residents of Uplistsikhe were persecuted, part of the city’s premises were destroyed and burned, and Christian churches arose on the site of the two main pagan temples.

39. The temple of the sun, located at the very top of the city, was rebuilt into a church. Another pagan temple, the largest in area, overlooking the “Central Square”, was rebuilt in the 6th century into a Christian basilica with an area of ​​about 400 m².

40. But for a long time, secret worship of pagan deities continued in Uplistsikhe. Archaeologists have discovered closed rooms where, even after the introduction of Christianity, small religious rituals and animal sacrifices continued to take place.

41. In general, with the introduction of Christianity, the importance of Uplistsikhe naturally fell sharply, the flow of donations stopped, and the number of pilgrims sharply decreased. The city was reduced in importance to an ordinary fortress.

42. In the early Middle Ages, a completely new church was built on the main site of Uplistsikhe, which is called the “Church of Uplistsuli” (Church of the Prince). This building dates back to the 10th-11th centuries.

43. Behind the temple, oblong niches are hollowed out in the rock. Perhaps these are traces of Christian burials.

44. In the 9th century, a sharp change occurred in the life of Uplistsikhe, and he again began to play a major role in the life of Georgia. At this time, the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, was in the hands of the Arabs, and Uplistsikhe became the main center of the kingdom, the subject of the struggle for influence and the throne.

45. In the 9th-10th centuries, Uplistsikhe was actually the main city of the kingdom of Kartli; its population during this period reached 20 thousand people.

46. ​​During this period, the Kura River, which in the most ancient period of the city’s history washed the rock from the northwest, had already changed its course, and a large area of ​​fertile land formed on the northwestern side, where a settlement also arose.

47. Now tourists are visiting the ruins of medieval buildings from high cliffs in the west of the cave city.

48. In the XIII-XIV centuries, Uplistsikhe was destroyed by a series of Mongol campaigns and after that ceased to play any significant role in state life.

49. The settlement on the banks of the Kura River existed until 1968, when, at the insistence of archaeologists, local authorities resettled residents to the surrounding villages.

50. There is an old abandoned cemetery nearby.

51. Some travelers of the 19th century noted the presence in Uplistsikhe of people who were called troglodytes, probably due to their simple way of life and due to the fact that they literally lived in caves already covered by the earth. In 1920, many buildings in Uplistsikhe were damaged due to a strong earthquake. Since this period, no one has settled in the settlement.

52. Now only cows graze on the banks of the Kura River, where the life of a medieval city once boiled.

53. At the end we will go through a secret tunnel leading from the city to the river bank.

54. The exit from the tunnel is hidden in the place where the rock comes closest to the shore.

55. The Kura carries its muddy waters past.

56. There is a small archaeological museum at the site, where you can not only get acquainted with artifacts from the excavations, but also watch a short documentary film in English.

Have you arrived in the capital of Georgia and are wondering where to go from Tbilisi for one day? Gori and Uplistsikhe are excellent options. On the way you can stop by.

The result is a rich program for the whole day. You will see monasteries, rivers, temples, the Stalin Museum, the cave city of Uplistsikhe. You will also have time to walk in the low mountains.

Second option: explore Gori and the surrounding area if you are traveling by car from to or Batumi.

Description

Gori and Uplistsikhe are popular attractions in Georgia. Stalin was born in Gori, and the leader’s museum is located here.

Uplistsikhe is an ancient cave city 15 km from Gori. Both natural and man-made caves have been created in the large rock, where people lived already 3,000 years ago.

How long does it take?

For inspection of Uplistsikhe - 1-2 hours
Minimum for the Stalin Museum 1 hour

On the road There and back again from Tbilisi from 3 hours by car, by minibus longer.

In total, plan a minimum for visiting Gori and Uplistsikhe 5-6 hours. If you look at Mtskheta on the same day, then 7-9 hours.

Gori and Uplistsikhe on the map

Excursion to Uplistsikhe and Gori

Uplistsikhe is a place that is best visited with a guide. At the very least, take an audio guide to understand where you are.

We were without a guide. There was clearly a lack of knowledge. And you just crawl over rocks and go into caves. Also interesting, but this is where I wanted more historical information.

3. By car

Drive from Tbilisi along an excellent quality highway 1 hour 30 minutes one way. Can be used in any car at any time of the year.

This time we saw Gori and Uplistsikhe, and came to spend the night not back in Tbilisi, but in Mtskheta. I really liked this route. There is almost no one in Mtskheta after lunch, only rare tourists remain. It’s green, quiet, calm, the food is delicious.

At 7 am we got up and drove through the empty road to Kazbegi.

Uplistsikhe

Price and opening hours Uplistsikhe

Coordinates: 41.967365, 44.207280

From April 1 to October 31: 10.00-19.00
From November 1 to March 31: 10.00-18.00

Seven days a week

Price: adults - 7 lari($3 / 175 rubles)
Children over 6 years old and students - 1 lari($0.4 / 26 rubles)
Children under 6 years old (must present a document) - for free

Guide on site - 25 lari (10$)
Audio guide - 10 lari($4 / 260 RUR)

What is remarkable?

▫ Uplistsikhe (translated as “God’s Fortress”) - an ancient cave city (3 thousand years old)

▫ Was a temple city and cult center of Iberia (East Georgian kingdom). People worshiped the Sun, drank wine and sacrificed animals until the Christians arrived

▫ After Georgia adopted Christianity, pagan temples were destroyed. Churches were built in their place. The priests were expelled (executed?). The wine storage facility containing the sacred wine was destroyed.

▫ The city was located on the trade route between the Caspian and Black Seas, the residents conducted active trade. Here is the answer to the question, where do Georgians get this ability to talk, to sell anything to anyone, so that the buyer also leaves with a smile. Genes!

Wikipedia describes the history in detail; you can read it before your trip.

What is there now?

▫ Visitor center, museum and cafe at the entrance to the complex

▫ The diagram of the cave city hangs on the stand, you can take a photo of it and see what is where

▫ 150 caves have been preserved, previously there were 700

Uplistsikhe or Vardzia?

Cave city of Vardzia in southern Georgia

Uplistsikhe is often compared to Vardzia (also a cave city in southern Georgia). Yes, Vardzia is bigger and bigger. BUT! Far. Travel to Vardzia from Tbilisi 270 km- minimum 5-6 hours per day side.

I went to Uplistsikhe a couple of weeks after visiting Vardzia. I didn’t have much hope. It turned out that it was in vain. Uplistsikhe is a great alternative. It is also beautiful and interesting here.

Yes, the place is pop and extremely popular, but this fact does not detract from its merits. If you don't like crowds, you can just go higher. We stood up for the church and were generally left alone. People walk along the lower tiers, but don’t go any further.

It is believed that Uplistsikhe and Vardzia are not even close, but I strongly disagree. Yes, Uplistsikhe is smaller. Yes, the mountains here are not so high. But even after Vardzia, Uplistsikhe was interesting to me. Just different.

Uplistsikhe is convenient. I came from Tbilisi for a couple of hours, crawled through the caves, looked at the Stalin Museum in Gori - I had already seen something, but I didn’t spend much time on the road.

Instead of going far south to Vardzia or the same along a broken-down road, it’s better to see Uplistsikhe if you only have a week in Georgia.

There's no one above
People lived here until the 70s, then they were resettled
The landscapes are gorgeous

Stalin Museum in Gori

Coordinates: 41.987264, 44.113624

Operating mode: 10.00-18.00
Every day, except holidays

Adults - 10 lari($4 / 260 RUR) for museum plus 5 lari($2 / 50 rubles) for entering the carriage

Children - 1 lari($0.4 / 26 rubles) for the museum and carriage
Students - 10 lari($4 / 260 rubles) for the museum and carriage

The Stalin Museum has several halls. Documents, letters, photographs were collected.

I didn't want to go. The most visited museum in the country. The most publicized. Lots of negative reviews.

Glad we finally got there. The Stalin Museum is clearly not a place for everyone. For bloggers and marketers - a must see.

What does the Stalin Museum teach?

▪ Stalin too worked remotely in a house with a terrace in nature (secret printing house).

▪ Over time, formed around himself community the best minds of the century.

▪ C Met Lenin by correspondence. Do you know how? I wrote a letter to my friend in which I praised Vladimir Ilyich. A friend gave the letter to Lenin. He answered (everyone loves it when their merits are recognized). How to contact an influencer? Through slightly less influential friends! Networking in action.

▪ After meeting Lenin personally, Stalin worked for the leader of the proletariat as a freelance copywriter. He traveled exclusively on business (though not always of his own free will). Met like-minded people.

▪ The principles that were applied at that time still apply in our field today. First you write to someone, praise him, do a favor. You don’t ask for anything for yourself, you gain trust. After your friends promote you. If you analyze, you can see that all successful Instagram and YouTube channels are developed according to the “Stalin Method”.

▪ It’s amazing the scale that can be achieved using competent networking and the power of words.

▪ While you are alone, you are weak. Don't push your ego. Be meek, be friends with the strong, help them in any way you can.

▪ See potential and talents in other people. Get acquainted at the initial stage, and not when they have already risen to the top and become unattainable. And then, when you find yourself at the top with everyone or above everyone, you can dictate your terms.

Take a closer look at the portraits of Stalin's friends. Totally hipsters. I recently went to a meeting of IT specialists, and people there looked exactly the same.

Stalin also had his own armored saloon carriage. Special. With a bed, an office, a toilet, a bathroom. It seems that I also need one so that I don’t have to spend the night in weird guest houses.

You have to pay to enter the carriage 5 lari($2), but we were allowed in with a museum ticket for 10 lari no extra charges.

Bathroom in the carriage

In front of the main museum is the house where Stalin was born and spent the first four years of his life.

In reviews of the museum, people complain that the exhibition there is boring, the excursion is uninteresting, the view is one-sided, and that he was not a good person.

You can relate to the father of all nations in different ways, but you can learn a lot from him. If there is a goal, there is a road to it.

We didn't take a tour, we went on our own. In one of the halls, the guide came up and talked about the interior items for free. Who gave what to the leader, what chair he sat on.

For me, things are just things. I treat my own people without affection, and it’s even more uninteresting to look at strangers.

Yes, there is an overcoat hanging there. The office brought from the Kremlin has been recreated. Cigars, pipe. Gifts from rulers of other countries. But the value of this museum is in the words and letters lying under glass. They show strategy.

Sights of Gori

Gori center

The city of Gori is relatively large (50,000 people). Among the objects worthy of attention, there is a nice center, temples, a market, and the House of Justice.

1 hour you can plan a walk around Gori and climb the hill to Goristsikhe fortress. More 1 hour- to the museum.

I planned to spend the night in Gori, but in the end I chose Mtskheta. The right decision. The ancient capital of Georgia was ideal for a relaxing overnight stay.

Goristsikhe Fortress

Inspiring museums for you!

Mila Demenkova

Uplistsikhe (Georgia) is a unique monument of culture and history of one of the most hospitable and welcoming peoples in the world, growing among majestic mountains, decorated with various colors of plains, wide rivers and numerous lakes.

Tourists have been coming to Georgia for decades to get acquainted with the mountain peoples of the Caucasus, taste excellent cuisine, visit ancient monuments and many Christian churches, discover cave cities and dense forests, flowering gardens and huge vineyards, and go snowboarding. , walk along the cozy streets and enjoy the wine that will make you dizzy and make you come back here again and again.

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Cave city in Georgia Uplistsikhe

Georgia boasts many beautiful cities, the most popular among tourists being Tbilisi, Gori, Poti and Zugdidi, but Uplistsikhe is a special, mesmerizing and majestic place.

The ancient city is located right in the rocks of the Kvarnaki mountain range, which is of volcanic origin. It is evidence of the titanic work of human hands that have worked for many years. Documents indicate that already in the 1st century BC. e. Life was in full swing here, simple houses and luxurious halls were built, holidays were held and competitions were held, and Georgian culture was being formed.

In the 10th-11th centuries, its development reached its peak and then began to decline, and the city was finally abandoned in the 19th century, after which active study of the archaeological site began. Modern scientists continue to study the history of Uplistsikhe, I am amazed at how one cultural layer was superimposed on another, which carries a lot of unique information.

Opening hours of the attraction: from April to October from 10.00 to 19.00, but from November to March Uplistsikhe is open until 18.00. The price of a ticket for a tour of Uplistsikhe varies from 1 GEL (children over 6 years old) to 5 GEL (adults). Young children do not require a ticket, but must provide documentation.

Gori Georgia

The road to the ancient temple city lies through Gori, which is located in the Kartli Valley and is considered the capital of the ancient province called Shida Kartli. As evidence of ancient origins and many historical events, the Gori fortress remains, which towers above the modern city and attracts the gaze of amazed tourists.

It is a fortified citadel, information about which appeared only in the 13th century, and the history of its creation is completely covered with many secrets and mysteries. It was rebuilt and updated more than once, so the history of its development raises a lot of questions among specialists.

Near the fortress there is a beautiful Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, rounding which clockwise you can reach the South Gate, which features a stone tower and a picturesque arch in the Persian style. There is no entrance fee, and the facility is open 24 hours a day, with only one policeman keeping order. At the top there is an observation deck with special binoculars, which offers a magnificent view of the city and surrounding area.

In 1937, a museum dedicated to the childhood and adolescence of the famous politician appeared in Gori. The historical museum is located almost in the city center and is divided into three departments. It contains personal belongings of Joseph Vissarionovich, various gifts, furniture, art, letters, postcards, photographs and even a personal saloon carriage, which was used during trips to the Yalta and Tehran conferences.

In addition, the museum contains one of the death masks of the “leader of the peoples,” which arouses interest among the most daring tourists. The museum is located on Stalin Street, 32, and the entrance ticket costs about 10-15 lari. Opening time is 10.00, closing time is 17.00 daily.

Where is Uplistsikhe and Gori on the map of Georgia

If we look at the map of Georgia, we will see that Uplistsikhe and Gori are located not so far from the capital. The distance from Uplistsikhe to Tbilisi is only 80-90 km. The most popular means of transportation is the regular minibus, which leaves for Gori from Didube station. The fare will cost about four lari, and during the trip you can enjoy the views of the surrounding Tbilisi. Minibuses start running at eight in the morning and continue to run almost all day.

Uplistsikhe is located a little further, but from the Gori bus station there is a minibus to the village of Kvakhvreli, from where you will have to walk about 20 minutes to your destination. It is more convenient to take a taxi, which will cost approximately 10-12 dollars, since the cave city is located on a hill and after a long journey it will be difficult to climb there.

It is worth noting: Quite often, tourists, in order to avoid making unnecessary transfers, rent a taxi directly in Tbilisi, which costs 30-40 lari. This is the price in both directions, taking into account the subsequent wait. Travel time will be an hour and a half.

Uplistsikhe - famous attractions

The ancient cave city with many rooms and halls is not the only attraction in the area, as the picturesque Uplistsuli Church is located nearby. Its construction began back in the 10th century, when the Abkhazians settled in this area.

It was here that the coronation of the famous Queen Tamara took place. The basilica, simple in form and structure, with two naves, continues to operate in modern times, providing tourists with an excellent opportunity to admire the temple not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

The city itself is divided into several most important buildings, and the main one is the “Tamara Hall”, which has one main and two side rooms. Its name was only partially justified. Historians suggest that a celebration could have taken place here in honor of the royal person after his enthronement.

The hall is decorated with carved columns and retains the remains of wine jugs and some dishes. Moreover, the columns are made in such a way as if they were not stone at all, but real wooden beams. There are several ways to get into the hall, but the most interesting is to follow the stairs, which are more reminiscent of a natural tunnel.

Not far from the “Hall of Tamara” is the largest pagan temple of the Hellenistic period, Mavkliani, which is of great value because the rest of the temples were rebuilt by Christians into churches.

On the territory of the historical site, pagan temples coexist with Christian churches, in particular the Church of the Prince, which was erected in the 20th century and is a classic version of the temple structure of that time.

After the excursion, it will not be a bad idea to admire the river called Kura, which stretches for many kilometers, because on its banks there are the remains of ancient settlements. A special ancient tunnel leads to its shores.

Beautiful photos of Uplistsikhe (Georgia)

The sights of Georgia allow you to plunge into a world where people created majestic buildings with their own hands. They contain the history of many generations of mountain people who glorify the beauty of their country and invite you to admire the magnificent landscapes, as well as visit historical monuments that have preserved a piece of the soul of the amazing and hospitable Caucasus.

Now you understand how to get to Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi, learned some information from the history of the city, and got acquainted with the main attractions that all tourists want to see.

Georgia, a country of stone and mountains, sun and sea, is rich in historical and natural monuments that arouse irresistible interest in everyone who has visited this beautiful, hospitable land at least once. Today we want to dedicate a separate topic to some of the most memorable and exciting sights in Georgia. We will talk about the mysterious cave cities, by visiting which you will rediscover Georgia, learn a lot of interesting and exciting things about the history of their origin, be able to wander through the mysterious, ancient caves and fully experience the bewitching spirit of antiquity! And for everyone who wants to see these places with their own eyes, we offer our educational .

Cave cities in Georgia: Vardzia

The cave-monastery complex of Vardzia, a pearl of Georgian medieval architecture, is one of the outstanding attractions of Georgia. This unique cave city, carved into the sheer wall of Mount Erusheti at an altitude of 1,300 meters, is located in the Aspindza region of Javakheti, approximately 70 km south of the city. In the Middle Ages, the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti served as a barrier separating the rest of the country from the Muslim world. That is why this strategically important place was chosen to build a fortified city. George III, who ruled from 1156 -1184, decided to build a fortified city that stretches for almost 1 km along the banks of the Kura.

George III failed to complete the construction of the Vardzia cave complex. Its construction was completed during the reign of his daughter, Queen of All Georgia. Tamar. According to the legend , the name of the city comes from ‘ak var, dzia’ or translated from Georgian ‘I’m here, uncle’ - Tamar’s cry when she gets lost in the countless labyrinths of caves and calls her uncle for help. During the reign of Tamar, the importance of the cave city of Vardzia increased significantly and achieved amazing prosperity.

Historians tell us about the wealth and luxury in which they preserved their caves. Before the earthquake, Vardzia served as the main seminary of southwestern Georgia. Over 2,000 monks lived here in numerous cells carved into the rocks. In total, the cave city of Vardzia had 3,000 rooms, which were located on 13 tiers and served as cells, living spaces, stables, treasuries, libraries and even shops and pharmacies. Special rooms - marani - were dedicated to the main Georgian drink. Wine was stored and aged in special jugs in the marani. The floors were connected to each other by secret passages and holes made in the ceilings, with wooden ladders attached to them. Of the 6,000 cave rooms, only 600-700 have survived to this day after earthquakes and numerous enemy raids. The so-called “Tamar room” is located in the western part of the complex. According to legend, Queen Tamar had 366 rooms in Vardzia so that enemies could not find out the exact location of her bedroom. The Vardzia cave-monastery complex is best known for its ancient wall frescoes, miniatures, and paintings of the main church. Images of King George III and Queen Tamar are in the Assumption Church, built in the 1180s. The portrait of Tamara is one of four images of the great queen of such ancient origin.

Nowadays, there are 5 monks living in Vardzia who act as guides, but they do not speak English, but simply help visitors not to get lost in the maze of caves.

How to get there: Since Vardzia is located far from Tbilisi, be prepared to spend several hours traveling. Borjomi and Bakuriani are most often used as starting points for Vardzia due to their close proximity. is located near the city of Akhaltsikhe (70 km), a taxi from the bus station from Akhaltsikhe will cost about 60 lari (22-23 USD) two ways, including waiting time. A minibus will cost much less (4 GEL/1.5 USD), but runs only 3 times a day (10.40 am, 1.20 pm in the afternoon, and returns at 3.00 pm).

Cave cities in Georgia: Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe (translated from Georgian as Fortress of the Lord) - once 10 km east of Gori. Built between the 6th century. BC. and 1st century n. e., Uplistsikhe turned into one of the main political and religious centers of pre-Christian Kartli, with temples to pagan gods. After the Arabs conquered Tbilisi in 645 AD, Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and an important trading center on the main caravan road from Asia to Europe. Uplistsikhe was later finally destroyed by the Mongols in 1240. Modern Uplistsikhe is the territory of the Inner City of 40,000 m2, preserved from the original huge settlement. Almost all the caves and finds here have been discovered during excavations by archaeologists since the 1950s. Most of the excavated artifacts - beautiful gold, silver and bronze jewelry and magnificent examples of ceramics and sculpture - can be seen at the National Museum in Tbilisi.

At first glance, this ancient complex looks like something abstract and formless. It is amazing that Uplistsikhe is considered the most ancient settlement on the territory of Georgia, dating back to the Iron Age, 2nd millennium BC. Today, the cave city of Uplistsikhe is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The central area, which contains most of the rock structures, is connected to the lower area by a narrow tunnel. Most of the rock structures are without any decorative elements; larger structures contain elements of stone carving. At the top of the complex there is a Christian stone basilica dating from the 10th century. The rock caves include a large hall called Tamaris Darbazi, pagan places of sacrifice, dwellings, as well as functional buildings such as a pharmacy, bakery, prison, and even an amphitheater. The caves are connected to each other by tunnels, and secret tunnels served as a means of escape during the invasion of enemies.

How to get there: A one-day trip to Uplistsikhe can be made from both Tbilisi and Gori. There are several transport options from Tbilisi. The easiest way to get to Uplistsikhe is by minibus. The minibus to Gori departs from Didube metro station in Tbilisi, a one-way trip takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 4 lari (1.5 USD or 1.3 EUR). From Gori, you can take a taxi to Uplistsikhe, a round trip with a driver should cost about 25 GEL (8.5 EUR or about 9 USD). The cheapest option is a bus from Gori for 1 GEL (0.5 EUR/USD), however, it does not operate regularly and you will have to walk about 1 km from the village to the cave city. At the entrance to the Uplistsikhe cave complex, numerous guides and guides offer their services and English-language excursions.

Cave cities in Georgia: David Gareji

A special place among the numerous cultural monuments of Georgian feudal times is occupied by the David Gareji monastery complex, which is of enormous historical value. According to legend, the Gareji monastery was founded in the 6th century by one of the thirteen Assyrian fathers, St. David Gareji. David settled in a natural cave in the Gareji desert, where he founded the first monastery with the goal of spreading Christianity in Georgia.

Even today, after so many centuries, it surprises visitors with its design and wall paintings of a high artistic level. The complex consists of 13 monasteries scattered across the hills of this semi-desert zone, on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The first thing that catches your eye is the numerous caves carved into the rocky rocks of this desert area. The caves served the monks as chapels, churches, and living quarters. Many of them contain frescoes dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. Not far from David Gareji is the no less famous and significant cave monastery complex of Udabno. The cave monasteries in Udabno are impressive. They are covered with thousands of years of religious wall paintings and frescoes.

Ticket price: Free admission

Opening hours: There are no fixed opening hours, however it is recommended to visit during the day as the monastery is located on the border.

How to get there: David Gareji is located quite close to the capital Tbilisi - 60-70 km, but there is no regular transport connection. You can get to the monastery in several ways: rent a car, buy a sightseeing tour that includes a transfer, or take a taxi. A round-trip taxi ride with waiting time for the driver will cost approximately 90-100 GEL (260-270 USD), which is quite expensive.
The most convenient way to get to the David Gareji Monastery is by minibus, which departs from Freedom Square. Just go to the Tourist Information Kiosk and they will help you. The Tbilisi-Gareji bus leaves daily at 11 am, the trip costs 25 lari per person (65-70 USD), and takes just over one hour.

from Tour Operator MyGeoand enjoy a wonderful and unforgettable vacation!