Samtskhe-Javakheti

A rugged, high-altitude region often called the 'Georgian Siberia' for its cold winters, but don't let that scare you. This is the land of cave cities, fortress-monasteries, and velvet green hills.

Places of Interest

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Vardzia
“From 'Ak var, dzia' (I am here, uncle)”
Imagine a city carved entirely into the side of a mountain. That's Vardzia. Queen Tamar, Georgia's greatest ruler, ordered its construction in the 12th century. It wasn't just a monastery; it was a stronghold that could house 50,000 people during Mongol invasions. The complex is carved into a three-layer cliff: the lower layer is the base, the middle layer (yellowish-pink tuff) houses the monastery, and the upper dark grey layer acts as a cornice.
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Vardzia

Imagine a city carved entirely into the side of a mountain. That's Vardzia. Queen Tamar, Georgia's greatest ruler, ordered its construction in the 12th century. It wasn't just a monastery; it was a stronghold that could house 50,000 people during Mongol invasions. The complex is carved into a three-layer cliff: the lower layer is the base, the middle layer (yellowish-pink tuff) houses the monastery, and the upper dark grey layer acts as a cornice.

Open