[2024 Tmogvi Attraction] Travel Guide for Vardzia (Updated Nov)
Historical Sites
Address:
97JM+CMH, Gogasheni, Georgia
Opening times:
Open today at 10:00-19:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Georgia | Vardzia is worth a special trip.
I came to Akhaltsikhe just for Vardzia.
❤ Recommended reason:
Vardzia is located 60 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe, on the left bank of the upper Kura River, on the eastern slope of a small mountain, and is a group of man-made caves.
👍 Most recommended:
In the 12th century, King George III of Georgia built a castle here, and soon the greatest Queen Tamar of Georgia built a large monastery. Since then, it has become a religious center. After several wars, in 1551, the Georgian army was defeated by the Persians, and the Persian army looted and destroyed the place, leading to its decline. However, the cave churches, rooms, tunnels, and other relics are still there, and a number of exquisite murals have been preserved.
🌟 Highlights:
Especially the images of George III and Queen Tamar.
However, because of tomorrow's parliamentary election, today is a day off, and the scenic area is not open, so I can only look at the ruins from the foot of the mountain.
The caves on the whole mountain show the grandeur of the ruins.
DIYDesigner
History hotspot 🗺️
Just returned from an amazing visit to the Vardzia Stone City in Georgia, and it was absolutely fascinating! 🏞️ The entrance fee was about 15 GEL (around $5 USD), which is quite affordable for the incredible experience. Carved into the cliffs of the Erusheti Mountain, this ancient cave monastery complex is a marvel of medieval engineering. Exploring the winding tunnels and hidden rooms was like stepping back in time.
The main highlight was the Church of the Dormition with its beautiful frescoes. The panoramic views of the Mtkvari River valley from the cave openings were breathtaking. 🌄 Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there’s quite a bit of climbing and uneven ground.
Nearby, the town of Aspindza offers a glimpse of local life and some nice spots to grab a bite. You can also visit the Khertvisi Fortress, which is just a short drive away and adds to the historical adventure. If you have time, the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is perfect for hiking and enjoying Georgia’s natural beauty.
Vardzia is a must-see for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike! #Vardzia #Georgia #AncientHistory #TravelAdventure 🏞️🇬🇪
FlorinM
The cave city of Vardzia on the rocks of Vardzia
Vardzia is both enchanting and shocking. The original Vardzia was almost completely hidden within the rocks, a cave city connected by internal passages. A strong earthquake in the 13th century caused the mountain to fracture, and the external rock layer fell off, so the Vardzia we see now appears to be carved along the mountain.
✏ The tour of Vardzia is a one-way route, and my own favorite part is walking out of the tunnel behind the monastery to reach a higher level of the mountain, where the sudden expanse of the view brings a strong visual impact. The monastery is the most important part to visit, inside there are murals depicting Queen Tamar, who is also featured on the Georgian fifty lari banknote.
💰 The entrance fee is 15 lari, and the shuttle minibus is 2 lari (a short serpentine mountain road, it's fine to walk if you're not in a hurry)
🚗 Transportation, there are minibuses to and from Vardzia from Akhaltsikhe. I took the one that left at 12 o'clock and arrived at the scenic area at 1:30 pm, with the last bus back at 3 pm. The one-way fare is 8 lari.
lightendevoted
Vardzia, a cave built in 12 century
Vardzia is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and in up to nineteen tiers. The monastery was an important cultural center, a place of significant literary and artistic work. There’s five monks still live in this monastery. We managed to encountered one of the monk during our visit there. #cave #georgia #monastery