TOURS

Destinations

Davit gareja
Uplistsikhe, Vardzia

Tour Description

Georgia have three magnificent cave cities. The oldest one dates back to the 6th century BC and the newest one is from the 12th century AD. They differ from each other and have their own architectural style and function. All three are well-maintained, easily accessible and completely safe to explore, though they have retained their ancient atmosphere and their century-old secrets.

The oldest one - Uplistsikhe town (the Fortress of Master) – incredible cave city built in the rock. Its history begins in the I-II millennium B.C. Uplistsikhe was an important religious, political and cultural centre in the Hellenistic and the late Antique periods (IV c. B.C. – IV c. A.D.) On the way back, from Uplistsikhe Tour, will pass city of Gori – the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, where is situated his museum and house.

The second one is Vardzia cave monastery site in southern Georgia which was built in the 12th century by Georgia’s greatest ruler women – Queen Tamar. This city once used to have 30,000 inhabitants – now it’s a monastery where several monks live. Now part of a state heritage reserve, the extended area of Vardzia-Khertvisi has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

And the third one is Davit Gareji. The area was initially settled in the sixth century by Davit Garejeli, one of thirteen so-called Syrian fathers - monks from Mesopotamia who spread the tradition of monasticism in Georgia. When you look across the awe inspiring lunar landscape of the Gareji semi-desert, you can immediately see why this has been a place of spiritual pilgrimage and seclusion for so many centuries. The frescoes date from the 10th to 13th centuries, and are regarded as the pinnacle of Georgian art.