Abuli fotress is built on mountain small Abuli. It looks like Shaori fortress; natural conditions are similar, as well as building technique and roads. However, the fortress is unique with its size, strength, unreachability, strategic position, as there is Poka-Khospio-Khertvisi road in its south. 

Achi Church is located on an artificially elevated hill. Achistskali is surrounded with high, solidly built stone wall. Presumably, it was fulfilling a function of a castle too. Church is a square hall type construction. Its windows and cross on the eastern façade are covered with picturesque carvings which are one of the best in whole Guria. Church is not spacious. The temple was built quite earlier and its paintings are quite remarkable too. Near Achi Monastery there flows a river called “Achi” too which flows from the mountain and is very pure. This river is a good way to relax and spend time in summer for tourists.

Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery located 25 km from Akhmeta, in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia. While parts of the monastery date back to 6th century, the present day cathedral was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti. The monastery was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb) Alaverdeli. At a height of over 55 meters, Alaverdi Cathedral is the second tallest religious building in Georgia, after Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. The monastery is the focus of the annual religious celebration Alaverdoba.  

Ananuri is a castle complex on the Aragvi River in Georgia, about 45 miles (72 kilometres) from Tbilisi. The fortifications consist of two castles joined by a crenellated curtain wall. The upper fortification with a large square tower, known as Sheupovari, is well preserved and is the location of the last defense of the Aragvi against the Shamshe. The lower fortification, with a round tower, is mostly in ruins.

Within the complex, amongst other buildings, are two churches. The older Church of the Virgin, which abuts a tall square tower, has the graves of some of the Dukes of Aragvi. It dates from the first half of the 17th century, and was built of brick. The interior is no longer decorated, but of interest is a stone baldaquin erected by the widow of the Duke Edishera, who died in 1674.

The larger Church of the Assumption (Ghvtismshobeli), built in 1689 for the son of Duke Bardzem. It is a central dome style structure with richly decorated façades, including a carved north entrance and a carved grapevine cross on the south façade. It also contains the remains of a number of frescoes, most of which were destroyed by the fire in the 18th century.

The Ateni Sioni Church (in honor of Dormition of Mother of God) is an early VIIth-century Georgian Orthodox church in the village of Ateni, 10 km south of the city of Gori, Georgia. It stands in a setting of the Tana River valley and is known for its picturesque landscapes and wine. Sioni is cross-in-square style church. Its facades are faced with carved rectangular stones, richly decorated with ornaments and figurative reliefs.

“The walls of the church contain the first inscriptions in Nuskhuri or Nuskha-Khutsuri, one of the versions of the early Georgian alphabet, dating from 835. The first examples of Mkhedruli, a currently used Georgian script, are also found in the Ateni Sioni church and date back to the 980s. Near the church there are the ruins of the medieval fortified town of Ateni (modern-day villages of Didi Ateni and Patara Ateni).

During the campaign of the Byzantine Ceasar Herаclius (VII century), the church was built in Atskuri, which became the center of the historic church Samtskhe - Saatabago of the XII-XVI centuries. It was the largest church in Georgia, even larger than Svetitskhoveli. At the end of the XIII century, an earthquake destroyed the church, which was soon rebuilt. 

Shrine of the church was the miraculous icon of the Atskuri Virgin.  Apostle Andrew  had to come to Geogia to preach the Christianit, and he took with him an icon of Mary. He accomplished many miracles with it. He built a church and there he put the icon.

In historical sources the fortress is first mentioned in the XI century as one of the most important strategic buildings of historical Meskheti. On the South slope of the rock where the fortress was built are the remains of ancient dwellings. The internal structure was so inaccessible that it was difficult for an invading enemy to conquer it even after passing the tunnel. 

In XVI century the fortress was captured by the Ottomans and Atskuri fortress became a springboard from which the Turks attacked eastern and western Georgia. At present, the unity of the fortress buildings is destroyed. Here tourists may see building layers of different times period.

The Cathedral of the Dormition, or the Kutaisi Cathedral, more commonly known as Bagrati Cathedral, is an XIth-century cathedral in the city of Kutaisi, the Imereti region of Georgia. A masterpiece of the medieval Georgian architecture, the cathedral suffered heavy damage throughout centuries and was reconstructed to its present state through a gradual process starting in the 1950s, with major conservation works concluding in 2012. It’s a distinct landmark in the scenery of central Kutaisi.

BebtrisTsikhe is a castle from early middle ages. It was named as Belta in ancient times. The total area is approximately 1500 sq. m., the inner courtyard - 600 sq.m.

Bertubani Monastery - one of the cave monasteries in Davitgareji complex. Founded in the XII century. It is noteworthy the Virgin Mary Church constructed in hall-style and the Refectory, whose walls are decorated with the fresques dated back to the beginning of the XIII century: The Queen Tamar and Lasha George are depicted, the main theme of the Refectory is repast. Here is the episode of the life of David Garejeli - “Lukiane milks the deer“, this painting is a peak of prosperity of the Gareja School of Painting; along with local traditions, they clearly reflect the general peculiarities of the Georgian monumental painting of the blossoming age.

The Betania Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God commonly known as Betania or Bethania  is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery in eastern Georgia, 16 km (9.9 mi) southwest of Tbilisi, the nation’s capital. It is a remarkable piece of architecture of the “Golden Age“ of the Kingdom of Georgia, at the turn of the XIth and XIIth centuries, and is notable for its wall paintings which include a group portrait of the contemporary Georgian monarchs.

Binadzori church is very unique with its décor.

Binadzori fence is complex fortifications. The church-bell is surrounded with rectangular fence. The gates are constructed in the eastern and western walls. 

Birtvisi Fortress is located in Georgia, Kvemo Kartli, Tetritskaro Municipality. Date of construction of Birtvisi Fortress is unknown but it has been mentioned in the historical sources as Birtvisi Fortress in XI century. From the afterward history of Birtvisi Fortress, it is not an ordinary fortress – complex of buildings gathered together, rather it is a conoid unity of rocky mountains which stretches over 1 square kilometer. Fortress induces much interest in tourists and it is often visited by them.

Bolnisi  is a city in the country of Georgia, located in the Kvemo Kartli region and capital of the Bolnisi district. It currently has an estimated 13,800 inhabitants. In 1818 the colony Katharinenfeld was founded in Bolnisi by 95 German colonist families from Swabia. After the occupation of the Red Armyin 1921, it was renamed to Luxemburg after the German communist Rosa Luxemburg. In 1941 all the Germans descendants who were not married to Georgians were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. There are still remnants of the German past in Bolnisi. A small graveyard and plaque acknowledges the German influence in the village. A small street called Mill Street has evidence of 19th-century German architecture and a few signs in the German language that date from the early 20th century. In 1944, the town was once again renamed as Bolnisi.

Bolnisi Sioni or Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox basilica in the Bolnisi village of Bolnisi District, Georgia. The cathedral was built in 478–493. It is the oldest extant church building in Georgia. Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is known for its Georgian Bolnisi inscriptions. These are one of the oldest historical documents of the Georgian alphabet.

Feodal age fortress of Tamari Age is situated in the village of Bukistsikhe (Chokhatauri Municipality), 6 kilometers away from Chokhatauri. It was erected on the right bank of the River Supsa, on a high hill, at the so-called Lake Guri. Here humans have lived from the Late Bronze Age. Artefacts of a fortified wall built with carved squares have been discovered. Nowadays, only north-eastern part of the wall has been preserved, the latter was built with  cobblestones and its volume is not too large; it is situated on a high hill and is quite difficult to be reached because of steepness. Fortress is enclosed with a highly damaged wall.

Chailuri Fortress is located in Sagarejo Municipality, to the south of the village Chailuri, at the crossing of Kakheti automobile road. It is called Niakhura Fortress by the population. This fortress was one of the military-defensive fortresses built in the Middle Ages, presumably in XVI century. It used to close the strategic entrance to the Iori Gorge and together with Manavi Fortress represented a defensive construction used against the enemy going towards Tbilisi.

Chargali is a village in the Dusheti Municipality in Georgia. It is located on the northwestern slope of the ridge, in the valley of the left tributary of the Pshav Aragvi river -Chargluly, at an altitude of 1200 m. Through the village passes a road connecting the Military-Georgian Road with the historic district of Khevsureti.

The village is the birthplace of the famous Georgian writer Vazha-Pshavela. Here is his house-museum. Every year the traditional festival “Vazhaoba“ is held.

The Chulevi monastery of St. George (Georgian: ჭულევის მონასტერი) is a 14th-century Georgian Orthodox monastic church located in Georgia‘s southwest region of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

The Chulevi monastery sits on the left bank of the Kvabliani river, near the town of Adigeni in the historic province of Samtskhe. The monastery is alternatively known as Chule (ჭულე) or Chulebi (ჭულები). The site was home to a monastic community already in the 11th century, but it was in the latter part of the 14th century that the current edifice was constructed to become a major religious and cultural center in south Georgia. An inscription in the medieval Georgian asomtavruli script reveals the name of the artist Arsen who frescoed the interior of Chulevi in 1381. The murals depict, inter alia, a group portrait of the local princely house of Jaqeli, patrons of the monastery.

The Chulevi monastery shares a series of common features with the contemporary and nearby located churches of Zarzma and Sapara such as the typically elongated overall plan and the interior space, rectangular shape with no projections, a dome resting upon the walls of the altar and two cross-shaped pillars.

The Otsindale complex is situated 640 meters above the sea level, overlooking the beautiful Kolkheti valley. The complex combines a church, which dates back to the 11th century, and a tower, which was constructed around the 8th century.

Location: village of Taia (45 kilometers from Zugdidi)

A graceful patrimonial palace of Dadiani Princes is the city's treasure testifying to its formersignificance. Dadiani were an ancient aristocratic family known for their relationship withNapoleon Bonaparte! One of Dadiani princesses was married to Askil Murat, Napoleon'snephew. Therefore Dadiani princes received a lot of relics connected with napoleon by theright of succession. For example, some personal things and pieces of furniture of theEmperor and one of his death masks (two others are in France and England). It all had beenkept in the family museum of Dadiani Palace. There is here even a more significant relic –the Blessed Virgin shroud. According the legend the shroud was taken from Byzantium toWestern Georgia by the ancestors of Dadiani princes in the 15 th century. The shroud canbe seen only during the big church holidays.The manor of Dadiani princes is also known for its garden. To plant it Princess Dadiani, theruler of Mingrelia, (maiden name Chavchavadze, sister of Nino Chavchavadze, widow ofAlexander Griboedov) invited eminent European gardeners and ordered rare plants fromEurope in the middle of the 19 th century. Today Dadiani garden is called Zugdidi BotanicalGarden. Its total area totals 26.4 hectares. Some trees in the garden are about 200 years oldare unique for Euroasian continent.

The gorge begins at the confluence of the river Chkheri (close to Stepantsminda) and ends near Upper Lars. The Gorge itself is 11 km long. The confluence of the Kabakhi and Khda rivers is the most narrow and rocky part of the gorge. You will also have an opportunity to see a Georgian Orthodox Church of Archangels located within the gorge.

Dashbashi (historical name – Akhalkalaki) – is situated in Tsalka Municipality (Trialeti Community), Chochiani Plateau, 1500 meters above the sea level, in 2.5 kilometers from Tsalka. Dashbashi St. George Church is a domed construction of a “free cross” type. According to the inscription, it was built in X-XI centuries under the order of Eristavt-Eristavi Rati. The construction is damaged. From the lower portion of the dome only fragments of arc cornice are preserved. The building is adorned with decorations of famous figures as well as original sculptural compositions.

David Gareja is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja, some 60–70 km southeast of Tbilisi. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face. The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli), one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived in the country to strengthen Christianity in the country in the VIth century.

Dmanisi Cape has:

• medieval settlements;

• Late Bronze and early Iron Age archaeological layers;

• Municipal adrepaleolituri monument.

Dmanisi Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was founded in 1983, since 2006 it is under the National Museum.

Archaeological excavations in the monument are underaway since 1936.

The museum represents the medieval town of Dmanisi and the geological layer dating back 1.8 million years, which is the oldest hominid and animal remains is rich.

Since 1991, were found five skulls of prehistoric hominids.

Dodorka (Dodos rka/Dodo horn)  - monastery in Georgia; an important monument of Georgian architecture in Davit Gareji monastery complex. Was founded by Dodo, one of the disciples of David Garejeli in the first half of the 6th century.Consists of caves of different times (including VI - XVIII cc). The main "hall" church and refectory belong to the period of general prosperity - XI-XIII centuries. Particularly important the church of St. Dodo carved in the rock. From this small church are remained the apse of the altar, the dome without "throat" carved in the rock, the western and northern walls. There is one of the earliest (VIII-IX cc) painting and an important piece of Georgian art.

Church is situated in Chokhatauri Municipality, village Erketi. Erketi church was built in the name of Michael and Gabriel archangels. Monastery was built in X-XI centuries. Interior is painted with bright colors, it has 3 gates and beautiful carvings.

FOKA MONASTERY is built in 11-th century and situated on the territory near the lake Paravani 2073 meters up from the sea level. The Georgian nuns still continue their activity there.

Formerly Settled Site of Vashnari is situated to the west of Ozurgeti, 5 kilometers away from the town. Vashnari was established at an elevated place where rivers Skurdumi and Natanebi join each other. Periods of construction and prosperity of Vashnari Fortess-Town, according to the historicist-researches is defined to be V-VII centuries. Fortress-town was protected from three sides, at each side of the town a fortified construction was built. In each 40 meters there used to be a small-size tower and other buildings, among which Church of Christian period and ruins of Chapel are to be remarked.

Narikala - historically the main fortress of the city of Tbilisi. In Georgian sources it is mentioned as a “mother-fortress“. The term “narkikala“ of Persian origin, and the fortress was given this name in the XVIIth century. On the fortress of Narikala, not one trace of restoration is noticeable. During the last restoration in 2000, St. Nicholas church and the fortress were restored. Restoration of the fortress is still carried out today. The fortress offers a wonderful view of old and new Tbilisi, which makes an indelible impression on tourists.

Geguti is a Georgian medieval royal palace, now in ruins, at the homonymous village, 7 km south of the city of Kutaisi, Georgia. The ruins of the Geguti palace complex occupy the area of over 2,000 m2 along the Rioni River. The earliest structure – a plain, one-room building with a large fireplace – dates back to the 8th 9th century." A principal part of the royal complex, commissioned by King George III of Georgia (r. 1156-1184), is a four-tier brick edifice built onto a three-metre high stone plinth, with its spacious, cruciform central hall surmounted by a dome 14 m in diameter resting on squinches. The entire building is walled and fortified with massive pillars. Westerly located additional structures and a palace church are of a later period, dating to the 13th/14th century.

Gelati is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi, in the Imereti region of western Georgia. A masterpiece of the Georgian Golden Age, Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia (his sepulcher is in the monastery) and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.Gelati was one of the main cultural and intellectual centers in Georgia. It had an Academy, due to the extensive work carried out by the Gelati Academy, people of the time called it "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos". 

Gelati Monastery has preserved a great number of murals and manuscripts dating back to the XIIth to XVIIth centuries. 

Gergeti Trinity Church is a popular name for Holy Trinity Church near the village of Gergeti in Georgia. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkheri (the left tributary of the river Terek), at an elevation of 2170 meters, under Mount Kazbegi.

The Gergeti Trinity Church is built in the XIVth century, and is the only cross-in-square church in Khevi province. The separate bell tower dates from the same period as the church. Its isolated location on top of a steep mountain surrounded by the vastness of nature has made it a symbol for Georgia. 

The church is a popular waypoint for trekkers in the area, and can be reached by a steep 3 hour climb up the mountain, or around 30 minutes by jeep up a rough mountain trail.

Golden Fortress is situated in Adigeni Municipality. It is hard to get there and is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia.

It used to create defensive circle for the hold. It must have been built by the end of XIII century.

Gonio-Apsarosi Fortress of antique and Middle Ages is situated near Batumi. Afsarosi Fortress had a unique strategic importance. It protected Chorokhi and Acharistskali entrances, which connected internal regions of south-western Georgia with the coast of the Black Sea. Thanks to such situation Gonio Fortress became one of the most important citadels for the Roman Empire and then for Byzantium in the area of the Black Sea. Gonio Fortress is fortified with 18 towers. Each side is met with one gate. Fortress has been restored and represents a great attraction for the tourists

Gordi Castle and Garden used to be a summer residence of Dadiani. Ths is one of the architectural sights in Samegrelo. In 1841, it was built according to the design of Russian architect, Leoned Vasiliev. Construction was a two-storied, had fortress-like structure. In the completed form the building was 40 meters in length and 20 meters in width. The first floor was divided into columns and arches, and on the second floor there was a hall, a living room, a salon and a library.

Village Gorelovka is situated in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Ninotsminda Municipality. It is the only place in Georgia today, where nearly 130 Doukhobors live. Until the 90s, number of Doukhobors in Georgia reached almost four thousand people. Doukhobors have been living in Georgia since 1841.

Gori Fortress is a medieval citadel in Georgia, standing above the city of Gori on a rocky hill.

The fortress first appears in the 13th century records but archaeological evidence shows that the area had already been fortified in the last centuries BC. The fortress controlled major strategic and economic routes and accommodated a large garrison. In the 16th century the Ottomans captured it to overawe Tbilisi, and then it continually changed hands between the Turks, the Georgians, and the Persians. 

Gorijvari Church is situated on Gorijvari Mountain which is facing town Gori, on the Trialeti Mountains and the river Mtkvari. In the beginning of the IV century a cross was erected on the top of the hill. The church is named after St. George.  There were two churches on Gorijvari Mountain, one of which is dated back with the VIII-IX century. On the territory of Gorijvari monastery, as reported by the historian Vakhushti, head of St. George is buried. The second church is a building of the later era.There is spring in the areas of Gorijvari, which is famous for its curing ability from ancient times.

Gori is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli and the centre of the homonymous administrative district. The name is from Georgian gora that is, “heap“, or “hill“.

Gori was an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages and maintains a strategic importance due to its location on the principal highway connecting eastern and western parts of Georgia. In the course of its history, Gori has been invaded by the armies of regional powers several times. The city was occupied by Russian troops during the 2008 Russia–Georgia war.

Gori is also known as the birthplace of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, ballistic missile designer Alexander Nadiradze and philosopher Merab Mamardashvili.

Gudarekhi is a village in Kvemo Kartli, Georgia, notable for a nearby monastic complex and archaeological site. It is located in the Algeti Valley, 8 km of the town Tetritskaro. A large-scale archaeological research revealed the remnants of a medieval urban settlement with well-developed pottery production. The complex consists of a ruined palace, living premises, a wine cellar, a pilastered building, and several other structures which date from the XIIth-XIIIth and XVIth-XVIIth centuries.

“To the south of the ruined settlement lies the monastery consisting of a XIIIth centuri nave church and a two-storey bell-tower. It is built of well hewn stones, with richly decorated facades. The church formerly possessed an avidly decorated iconostasis which is now on display at the Art Museum of Georgia in Tbilisi. The bell-tower was erected during the reign of Demetre II of Georgia in 1278. The complex was restavrated in 2006. 

Gurjaani Kvelatsminda Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God is situated near the village Gurjaani, in the forest, Kakhtubani Gorge. Gurjaani Kvelatsminda represents a complex architectural construction. Three types of construction materials were used for building the church: cobblestones, gallstones and bricks. It is the only two-domed church in Georgia.

In the VIth  century Saint Zenon, one of the ‘Syrian Fathers’ founded the Ikalto Monastery 7-8 km west of the town Telavi. The Monastery was famous as one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centers of Kakheti as well as of the whole of Georgia. A high school, the academy, was founded there; an outstanding Georgian philosopher Arsen Iqaltoeli used to live and work in it. Archaeological excavations revealed numerous workshops, wine-cellars, a smithy, store-rooms and other household rooms grouped around the Academy building.

Ikorta domed Church is situated on the territory of Shida Kartli occupied by Russia. In the vicinity of the church there is a family fortress of Ksani Eristavis. Ikorta Church was built by Giorgi III in 1172. Fragments of mural paintings are preserved in the arc, on the northern wall and dome. Facades of the church and a lower portion of the dome are lavishly ornamented. Ikorta is the earliest example of a canonical type of domed churches in XII-XIII Kartli.

At Ikorta Church leaders of Kakhetian anti-Persian rebellion are buried: Bidzina Cholokashvili, Shalva and Eristavi of Ksani – Elizbar.

Okros Chardakhi is a palace of Imeretian kings. During the XVII century the residence got damaged for several times due to the invasions of Levan II Dadiani, it was partially restored by Solomon II. Nowadays only one building has been left from the residence – so-called Small House.

Jikheti Monastery is situated on the northern slope of Guria Ridge, on Mountain Nigoiti, 250 meters above the sea level, and 12 kilometers away from Lanchkhuti. On Jikheti Mountain in 1896 under the leadership of Ilarion Menabde, main stone temple of Presentation of Mary. In 1987 a bell-tower was constructed next to the Church of Presentation of Mary. In 1988 St. Georgia basilica was built there. In 2002 Church of John the Baptist was built. In the yard there is a baptism pool in which spring water flows (“Iordane Tskaro”). Water has curative nature.

Every December 4th – day of Presentation of Mary – is celebrated with a holiday – Jikhetoba.

Jumati Monastery is situated in 15 kilometers from the center of Ozurgeti. It is located on quite a high hill. From the church a spacious panorama can be viewed. Jumati Monastery consists of a developed Archangel Church of Middle Ages, bell-tower and other buildings. Frescos of the interior of the church belong to the XVI-XVIII centuries. At the church was kept a masterpiece of Georgian art – golden ikon of St. George of XI century which was lost as the church was robbed. Fragment of the frame is protected at a worldly famous museum – Ermitage.

Jvari Monastery is a sixth century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, eastern Georgia. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

According to traditional accounts, on this location in the early 4th century Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting King Mirian III of Iberia to Christianity, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple.The present building, or “Great Church of Jvari“, is generally held to have been built between 590 and 605 by Erismtavari Stepanoz I. This is based on the Jvari inscriptions on its facade which mentions the principal builders of the churchThe Jvari church is an early example of a “four-apsed church with four niches“ domed tetraconch.

The Katskhi pillar is a natural limestone monolith located at the village of Katskhi in western Georgian region of Imereti, near the town of Chiatura. It is approximately 40 metres in height, and overlooks the small river valley of Katskhura.

There are church ruins on a top of the rock, covering a surface of 150 m2. Studies determined the ruins were of an early medieval hermitage dating from the IXth or Xth century. A Georgian inscription paleographically dated to the XIIIth century suggests that the hermitage was still extant at that time. Religious activity associated with the pillar was revived in the 1990s and the monastery building had been restored within the framework of a state-funded program by 2009.

Khertvisi fortress is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia and was functional throughout the Georgian feudal period. It is situated in Southern Georgia, in Meskheti region. The fortress was first build in the 2nd century BC. The church was built in 985, and the present walls build in 1354. As the legend says, Khertvisi was destroyed by Alexander the Great.

Accurate date of construction of Khikhani Fortress is unknown, but the majority of the scientists think that it should have been built in the X-XIII centuries. This is confirmed by the fact that, according to historical documents, in ending of the construction of Khikhani Fortress, wife of Abuserisdze Tbeli – Bagula – has an important role, also there are legends that Khikhani Fortress was built by King Tamar. In XI-XVI centuries Khikhani Fortress was the major residence of Eristavi of Ajara – Abuserisdze.

Khobi Church is located on the left bank of the river Khobistskali, three kilometers from the city of Khobi, in the village of Nojikhevi. In old times it was called The Khobi Monastery. The Khobi Monastery is an architec­tural complex consisting of a church, a palace, a bell tower, a wall and the ruins of buildings. The wall was renovated in the 1970s. The stone church tower, with seven windows, is one of the biggest bell towers in Georgia. The church tower was once covered in frescoes. Inside the wall stands a church which got its fi­nal shape in the 13th -14th cc. The church is decorated with ornaments and frescoes, which have been highly damaged.

Khuluti Fortress is situated in Tetritskaro Region, in narrow gorge of the River Khrami. There are five big and small towers in the fortress. Each one of them is designed for living in the first place, but they were also used during battles. Whole fortress is solidly built with the local rocks. It is erected in the narrow portion of the gorge. There is a rocky crag on the left side of the river, on the slope of the mountain. Passerby who was passing through the gorge, would not have been able to go with another way as the mountain is high and unavailable, and on the opposite side there is not space, even for a little path. Those who were watching this crag were deemed to be the masters of the gorge. That is why this fortress was erected.

Kintsvisi Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox Monastery in the Shida Kartli region, eastern Geoergia, 10 kilometers from the town Kareli, on a forested slope of a high mountain of the Dzama valley.

The Kintsvisi Monastery complex consists of three churches, of uncertain origin. The central (main) central church dedicated to St. Nicholas is thought to date to the early XIIIth century, in what is generally regarded as the Georgian Golden Age. A very small chapel standing next to it is dedicated to St. George, and dates from around the same time.

The oldest church, dedicated to St. Mary dates from the X-XIth centuries, but is mostly in ruins.

The sight is currently listed by the World Monuments Fund as a research roject.

According to historical sources Kortskheli temple was built in 1624 - 1639 years by Odishi Lord Levan II Dadian. In 1815, the church was renovated by Nikoloz Dadiani. In 1859, it was renewed again. The temple is built of hewn stone and has a small size, on the west side there is domed building with arched gallery. Kortskheli dome stands on the altar walls and four square stone columns.

"The painting of the church dates from the second half of XVII century. St. Virgin is a dominant theme. On the walls are Greek and Georgian inscriptions, though most of them are damaged. Near the temple are the tower ruins, built of hewn stone. In the church kept a few icons donated by Levan II Dadiani and other antiquity.

Kvareli fortress is one of the largest of the Kakhetian strongholds of the 16-18th cc. Forming a virtual square it is situated on a plain and is equally accessible from all sides. The corners are formed by towers of cylindrical shape, and the main entrance is located in one of them.The main wall is also subdivided by smaller towers. The whole structure hosts 3 main floors, with facilities and embrasures designed to hold a garrison strong enough to resist a siege of an army of twenty-five thousand, as recorded by a historical tradition. Decorations are scarce, which is similar to other Georgian fortresses. However, the entrances are accentuated by brick rhombs and crosses.Initially the citadelwas furnished by another wall, in about 20 meters inside the extant fortress. Georgians rarely built their fortresses on a plain, and if they did they usually chose a location with a secure water supply.In such case the strongholds were often protected with fosses, and Kvareli Fortress was similarly secured. The fortress was of strategic importance as a piece of defensive infrastructure for both Kakheti and the inner regions of the country from Lezghin invasions of the 18th c.

Kvatakhevi is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery in Shida Kartli, Georgia, 55 km west of Tbilisi. It dates to the XIIth-XIIIth century, and resembles the monasteries of Betania, Pitareti, and Timotesubani in its architectural form and decoration, reflecting a contemporary canon of a Georgian domed church architecture. The building has two portals, one to the south and one to the west. The decoration abounds in fretwork, especially around the windows and the base of the dome; the eastern facade is adorned with a large ornate cross.

“Kvatakhevi was also a literary center. It also possessed a treasure with many artifacts of medieval Georgian jewelry, a sizeable portion of which was later acquired by and are now on display at the Moscow State Historical Museum. The monastery was significantly damaged during invasions in the XIVth century, but was subsequently repaired in 1854. A belfry was added in 1872.

The medieval castle in eastern Georgia, on the left bank of the Mashaveri river. It is built on the high rock which is streched out from the field, and is inaccessible almost from the all sides.

Historical castle of Kakheti – Kvetara is located on the bank of the River Iloo in the region of Akhmeta. Kvetara was one of the centers of Kakhetian Samtavro. It is mentioned from the middle period of XI century in “Life of Kartli” but according to Vakhushti Bagrationi, it should have been established in VIII century. Conducted archeological research confirms that versions. Kvetara is surrounded by a fortified wall built with cobblestones and fractured stones, the walls of which contain counterforts, round and square towers. On the north-western part of the castle, on the highest part, there is an acropolis in which a palace and a church were located. Church of a cross-type belongs to the 1st half of X century and as it seems, was a royal church. The church is simple, without any ornaments of decorations, roofed with blue tiles.

Largvisi Monastery is situated on the right bank of the River Ksani, on the territory of historical Ksani Saeristavo. According to the historical tradition, Largvisi developed into a town and church was built in the VI century. Largvisi was the center of Tskhradzmiskhevi. Here was located the fortress which was the major door to Ksani Gorge. Many manuscripts were rewritten at the monastery which are preserved till nowadays and are kept at National Center of Manuscripts. Largvisi Monastery is surrounded with a fortified wall with towers inside which a fortress-citadel is situated. Church has 2 main entrances, is rich with fenestras. On the top of the deacon’s house there is a secret hiding place. There are gun ports too.

Likhauri Fortress was built with the purpose of defense from the enemies in XII century. For the fortress to be better protected, it was connected to the river with an underground tunnel. Main purpose of this tunnel was the soldiers in case of a siege to have a permanent way for supplying food and drink, to attack the enemy from the behind. Except for that, it was secretly connected with one of the fortress which was situated near Likhauri Fortress. These tunnels were best ways for running away from the enemy. This fortress was used only for military purposes. The fortress is famous also as “Tamar’s Fotress” though King Tamar had never been there. Supposedly this name added power to the fortress as the name of King Tamar is related for us to the period of power in history – “Golden Age”. Fortress also had a second name – “Fortress of Success” that can be explained by the fact that it had never been occupied by enemies and managed to heroically survive all battles.

An orthodox church in Sagarejo municipality, Kakheti, north of the village Manavi, on a hill. Its style belongs to dome hall style.

Manavi Church of the Holy Virgin was built by Ephtime, the spiritual leader of David Gareji Monastery of John the Baptist. There was the vast writing on the church wall, which does not exist today.

Archimandrite Ephtime lived between 1774 and 1798. This period of his career contains the date of building the church – 1794. The church was restored in 2008.

Manglisi Sioni Cathedral is church of Dormition of Virgin Mary. It is located in Qvemo Kartli, Tetritsqaro Municipality, near the Manglisi town. Cathedral dates back to Vth century, but current appearance it has aquired in XIth century. Cathedral is built in cross-in-square form. The famous relic of the church is an Icon of Virgin Mary, history of which relates to St. John Mangleli (1751). 

Martkopi Deity Monastery is situated in the surroundings of the Village Martkopi (Gardabani region), to the east of Tbilisi, 25-27 kilometers away, on Ialno Ridge covered with forest. Deity Monastery was founded by one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers - Anton Martkopeli in the VI century. Monastery was surrounded by a fortified wall with gun ports. Eastern part of the church is overlooked by a three-story bell-tower build in 1629. 

To the east of the monastery, stone carving of St. Anton is situated, on the ruins of which a tower has been recently reconstructed. St. Anton of Martkopi spent the last 15 years of his life at this place. Monastery faced many changes during the history. Originally, it was recovered in the IX century. Important restoration works were conducted in the XIX century.

Martvili Monastery is a Georgian VII-Xcc monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in the Martvili District of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province of Georgia. It sits upon the highest hill in the area and was of strategic importance.

Marvili Local Museum was founded by a historicist Givi Eliava in the 50s of the previous century. Museum protects 55 thousand exhibits. Museum consists of an open space too where old Kolkhetian vine types are being worked on in order to be restored. Geological, archeological, ethnographic collections discovered in Martvili, Senaki, Abasha and Chkhorotsku are also kept at the museum. Major part of them has been obtained as a result of expeditions held by the museum and collecting materials discovered by the population by chance. Museum induces high interest in the tourists that is expressed in the number of visitors too. 

Mgvimevi Orthodox Monastery is located in the western part of Georgia, in the valley Kvirila, near the village of Mgvimevi. In the monastery is a narrow and fairly long staircase, passing that, you can get into the tunnel. The monastery complex consists of many buildings. The main temple is named after the Savior. The facade of the main temple is decorated with crosses and engravings. Painted frescos from the 13th century are still visible on the northern wall of the temple, while paintings on the southern side date back to the 16th century. The front door is a unique masterpiece of wood carving.

It is a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal plants. According to the legend the monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian lords, who refused to accept Islam. In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with the hallows of the lords canonized by Georgian Church. 

On the left side of the river Ksani, there is a fortress on the plains.  This was the residence of the last period of Mukhran-Batoni. In a 1756 year inscription on the castle, as the Head of the House Konstantine Mukran-Batoni reports, this place was destroyed by the enemy and the people had scattered around. Then he built a wall here, gathered the people and let them settle there. During the invasion the wall was a shelter for inhabitants of not only the village of Mukhrani, but of the neighboring villages too.

There is a one-nave church inside Mukhrani prison. In the yard next to the second wall there are two more churches. This was the living place of the Mukhran-Batoni family and the second was used during invasions.

Mutso is a small village in Georgia. One of the former strongholds of the historic Georgian province of Khevsureti (now part of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region), it is located on a rocky mountain (1880 m) on the right bank of the Andakistskali river.

Nekresi is situated in Kakheti Region and represents a complex of religious constructions and one of the most important cultural centers of Georgia. Monastery built on a hill in the forest consists of several different structural constructions which were built in different periods (IV-IX centuries).

Small basilica-type chapel built in the IV century is the oldest one, in V-VII main temple was erected – church of the Mother of God, basilica which has several important inscriptions and sixteenth century wall paintings. In IX century a domed church was built. Except for that there are different constructions too – Bishop’s Palace and others. In the second half of the VI century Abibos (one of the famous 13 Assyrian Fathers) became the leader of Nekresi Eparchy.

Ninotsminda Nunnery is situated in Sagarejo. The village is called so too. The main construction of Ninotsminda Nunnery should have been built in the 50-70s of VI century – church of St. Nino. Next to the church there is a bell-tower of XVI century which protected the population from the enemies often. The place was surrounded by a huge wall which was equipped with towers and the local inhabitants used it as a shelter during warfare. There was a rich book stack at the nunnery that is confirmed by the manuscripts preserved till today. Scholars and poets lived here. At the end of XX century, due to the blessing of the Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, monastery life was restored in Ninotsminda, repairing works were conducted. At the present moment a nunnery is operating on the territory.

Nokalakevi is an archaeological site consisting of the remains of IV-VIth century A.D fortress in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia. Occupies some 20 ha.

It is located on a strategic position in a loop of the Tekhura River, Nokalakevi was one of the key fortresses guarding Lazika (modern Samegrelo).

Though the fortifications and structures visible today mainly date from the IV-VIth centuries A.D., there is evidence of several earlier phases of occupation before the VIIIth century BC (late Bronze/early Iron Age). Ongoing excavations are carried out by the ‘Anglo-Georgian Expedition to Nokalakevi’ and provide archaeological training for both international and Georgian archaeology students.

Orbelians’ Palace Complex is a historical-archeological monument in Kaspi Municipality. It has a complex structure, which includes: the fortress, palace, wine cellar and other agricultural buildings.

The palace is situated in the northern part of the complex with huge wooden balconies. Interior is very interesting, windows are arched. The palace is covered with tile roof.

Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in Village Ortubani in Kareli Region, Mdzovreti castle.  Its construction is directly connected with the movement of Tsitsishvili’s feudal center from Samtsevrisi. Monastery was built in XVII-XVIII centuries. It consists of a church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a seven-story bell-tower. If we look through the history, status of a town is reduced to “small town” from XVIII century and in XIX century Tsitsishvilis leave the place and the town ends existence. On the ruins a new village Ortubani was founded. Nowadays, village that is empty is strengthened by the prayers of the nuns.

Petra, historic fortress-town, is situated in western Georgia – Ajara, village Tsikhisdziri. Due to a favorable military-strategic and commercial-economic situation, at this oldest settlement place of Lazis, a town was founded by the Emperor of Byzantium - Justinian in the VI century. Town territory was crossed by a narrow coastline road which connected western Georgia with the provinces of Byzantium, Persia and Armenia. In the middle ages it was called Kajeti Fortress. It had a certain commercial importance in the XIX century too. Ruins of Petra Fortress are still preserved till today and represent an impressive sight after viewing of which tourists are left full of unforgettable impressions

Poti Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox church in downtown Poti. The cathedral is an imitation of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, and it was built in 1906-1907. It is built in Neo-Byzantine style. The capacity of the church is 2,000 people. The ornaments and decorations are modeled after the medieval Christian cathedrals in the Trabzon mountains. The Poti Cathedral has three iconostases and among the main decoration of the iconostasis are the icons of St. Nino, St. Andrew the First Called, and the St. David the Builder.

Rkoni Bridge – historical bridge on the territory of the present-day Kaspi Municipality. It is situated on the territory of Rkoni Monastery Complex, on the River Thadzami. On the bridge there was a road which connected Shida Kartli to Trialeti. Bridge was built in XII-XIII centuries. It is a single-span bridge (12.5 meters), of an arced form (height of the arc from the surface of the river – 7.6 meters, width – 2.2 meters). It was built with fractured stones on firm lime solution. Lower part of the arc is built with comparatively long stones than the upper one. Piers of the bridge are based on natural rocky foundation. From the constructive viewpoint, middle part is quite higher than the edges. Bridge has been preserved in its original face and is one of the best examples of bridges of feudal period of Georgia.

The ancient Rkoni Monastery Complex (VII; XIII-XIV centuries) is situated in 100 km from Tbilisi in the beautiful Tedzami gorge. It‘s the best sightseeing of  Shida Kartli. The place is rich with different kinds of architecture built at the initiative of Queen Tamar. The fortresses, arch-stone bridge on the river Tedza, church carved in rock to save treasure - all these you can see when you travel to this beautiful place.

Rukhi fortress was built by Levan Dadiani in 1647. It was an important fortification of Samegrelo. The fortress consisted of a citadel and lower court. The citadel is in the north with towers at both ends. The fortress is surrounded by a wall with height of 10-12 meters. 

The French traveler Jean Chardin tells about one battle of the Rhuki fortress - in 1672 he was eyewitness to the invasion of by the Ottomans and described the battles in detail. 

In 1769 near the Rukhi fortress one of the episodes of Russian-Turkish war took place. In 1770, the combined forces of Georgians and Russians liberated the fortress from the Ottomans.

In the Vth century Samshvilde was such a significant city that it was ruled by the heirs to the throne of Kartli, among them by the father of Vakhtang Gorgasali, who resided in Samshvilde together with his wife Sagdukht before accession to the throne. Sagdukht built  Samshvilde Sioni church dedicated to the Dormition of Mother of God. The church was significantly altered in the VIIIth century. Today there are remained just the ruins of the Samshvilde Sioni church. 

Till the XVIIIth century Samshvilde fortress city played an important role in the history of the Kartli Kingdom, and then in the history of the Unified Georgia. 

An eleventh-century Samtavisi domed Cathedral is located in the Village Samtavisi, Kaspi Region. Samtavisi is an episcopal temple. It was built on the place where in VI century St. Assyrian Father Isidore Samtavneli built the first church.

Complex is surrounded with a wall inside of which, except for the temple, there are ruins of the Bishop’s House and a Bell-tower. Inscription on the eastern façade of the cathedral names the constructor of the cathedral and the first Bishop Ilarion Kanchaeli. Cathedral was restored in XV and XIX centuries. Mural art has been completely preserved only in alter. Samtavisi is rich with ornamentation, decorative compositions. Samtavisi is deemed to be the beginning of a new age of Georgian architecture which developed in the church architecture of XII-XIII centuries.

Samtavro St. Nino’s Monastery was built on the place called ‘Zemo Ecclesia’ (Upper Church). It was located in the capital city of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom Iberia Mtskheta in 30s of the 4th century. The first Christian royal couple - King Mirian and Qween Nana are buried here. Since the 480s Samtavro became an Episcopal see. Since the beginning of 19th century it has become a convent.The present Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church was built in the 1030-1040s in the town Mtskheta. The preserved mural paintings in the altar conch and in the dome are dated to the mid-17th century. The archeological excavations revealed the remains of a large church that had been standing here before 11th century.Eastwards of the Church there is a small early medieval church of St. Nino. Its mural paintings are dated to 19th century. On the North of the Church there is a three storied bell tower of 15-16th centuries. A cylindrical tower of 18th century is preserved in the wall of the monastery that was restored in 19th century.Samtavro convent, together with other historical monuments of Mtskheta has been inscribed upon the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage since 1994.

Sapara Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery in the Akhaltsikhe District of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia.It has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century Sapara became a possession of the Jakeli family, whose leader, Sargis Jakeli, was adept at staying on good terms with the Mongols, which enabled Samtskhe to enjoy a peace unusual for the time. When he grew old, Sargis took monastic orders and changed his name to Saba. His son Beka built the largest of the 12 churches here, St Saba‘s Church, named after the saint whose name his father had adopted, one of the most architecturally important churches of its time. The 14th-century frescoes inside are of high quality.From the end of the 16th century until the beginning of the 17th century the Sapara Monastery became empty due to the expansion of Turkish policy into Samtskhe and during this process the monastery‘s icons and other treasures were taken to more protected areas of Georgia.

Shemoqmedi monastery is located in Guria, 7-8 km from Ozurgeti city, on the left bank of the Bzhuzhi river. There are two churches in the monastery: Ghvtaeba (Deity) Transfiguration church (basilicas) and the domed church of the Icon of the Transfiguration - "Zarzma".

Shemoqmedi Transfiguration Church was built in the Middle Ages. Initially, it was a single-nave building, and then caused to the longitudinal walls and added the South and North boats.

Shorapani Fortress, Antique and Middle Ages Castle in western Georgia, situated at the place where Kvirila joins Dzirula. Fortress was built at the beginning of the III century BC by King of Kartli - Farnavaz I. It is located at 100 meters above sea level. At Shorapani Fortress there is a tunnel characteristic to other fortresses of this period that has not been preserved well. Whole territory of Shorapani once was surrounded by a fortified wall that is confirmed by fragments of walls and pieces of mildly fired bricks discovered at these places. Shorapani was a place having a commercial importance and connected western and eastern countries. Archeological materials discovered within the vicinity of the fortress are kept at Zestaponi Local Museum.

It is located on the slopes of the Kaspi borough. The historical sources first mention Skhvilo in the 10th century. The complex consists of many constructions of different purpose: the wall, church, tower, residential and operational buildings. The walls are higher than 10 meters at places and they are 2m thick. The church was invaded many times and it suffered serious damage in the 17th century.

If you blink, you‘ll miss this tiny settlement, located about 5 km from Stepantsminda. The home of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church is here, and there is a small church in the courtyard of the residence. Sno also has a large statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, and a tower fortification from the XVI century. - See more at: http://georgia.travel/en/kazbegi#sthash.QQzlkdz5.dpuf

The exact date when the Surami Fortress was built remains obscure. Its earliest structures possibly date to the 12th century, but it has been reconstructed several times since then. A local legend associated with the fortress was brought into classical Georgian literature by the writer Daniel Chonkadze (1830–1860) and further famed by the filmmaker Sergei Parajanov in his award-winning feature film The Legend Of Surami Fortress in 1985.

Telavi is an administrative and economic center of Kakheti Region. It was developed into a town in VIII-X centuries, as the capital of Rans and Kakhetians’ Kingdom. Telavi was the capital of Kakheti Kingdom from the 60s of XVII century. From the great constructions of Telavi of that epoch, the following are still preserved: “Batonis Tsikhe”, “Vakhvakhishvilebis Tsikhe”, “Korbichashvilebis Tsikhe” and “Dzveli Galavani”.

Royal residence of Kakhetian kings situated in the center of Telavi – “Batonis Tsikhe” covers 3 hectares of area. It consists of: fortified wall, royal palace (opened in the 60s and at the present moment represents Telavi Museum), Bath (only bath room and boiler-room are preserved today) and two churches (royal church of Erekle II which is a defensive construction too and has gun ports under the roof).

The convent of Akhali Shuamta, 11km from Telavi, was founded in the XVIth century by the Kakhetian Queen Tinatin. The church has a cruciform design with a high cupola and large crosses inscribed on its extremities. The fine XVIth-century frescoes portray Tinatin, her husband King Levan II and their son Alexander, as well as biblical scenes. Three churches of Dzveli Shuamta formed part of a monastery founded in the Vth century. Nearest to the road is a three-naved V-VIth-century basilica and the next two are dated to VIIth century.

Gremi is XVIth-century architectural monument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti, Georgia. The complex is what has survived from the once flourishing town of Gremi and is located east of the present-day village of the same name in the Kvareli district, 175 kilometers east of Tbilisi. Gremi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries, it functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road and royal residence.

"The town occupied the area of approximately 40 hectares and  was composed of three principal parts – the Archangels’ Church complex, the royal residence and the commercial neighborhood. Since 2007, the monuments of Gremi have been proposed for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Green Monastery, the same St. George Cathedral was built in Chitahevi by apprenticesof St. Grigol Khandzteli, Christopher and Theodore in about the IX century.  Built on the rightbank of the River Kura, the monastery complex includes a single-nave church of roughlycrushed stone and a bell tower of XV-XVI century. The exact date of construction of the church is unknown as are the names of priests wholived there, but the church resembles the construction style of the IX century.  Monks' cellswere located around the church; some of which have survived to this day. In the XVI century,during the Shah - Tamaz invasions, the monastery was captured by the enemy and dozensof monks were wounded, tortured and killed. The riverbed flowing in the monastery is full of rocks of reddish color, which were called the"bloody stones." Pilgrims believe that the blood of monks killed in XVI century remained onthese stones. It is said that these stones with traces of redness have abnormal healingpower – in winter and summer the "blood" of the stones is visible and if the faithful do notpray, the blood is "erased." In the 1980’s of the XX century restoration works were carried out, and in 2002 there themonastery was restored.

The Monastery of  St. Nino  at Bodbe ( Georgian : ბოდბის წმინდა ნინოს მონასტერი, bodbists’minda Ninos monasteri) is a  Georgian Orthodox   monastic  complex and the seat of the  Bishops ofBodbe  located 2 km from the town of  Sighnaghi ,  Kakheti ,  Georgia . Originally built in the 9th century,it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century. The monastery now functions asa  nunnery  and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with  St. Nino ,the 4th-century female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are shrined there.According to Georgian tradition, St. Nino, having witnessed the conversion of Georgians tothe  Christian  faith, withdrew to the Bodbe gorge, in Kakheti, where she died c. 338-340. At thebehest of King  Mirian III  ( r.  284-361), a small monastery was built at the place where Nino wasburied. The monastery gained particular prominence in the late Middle Ages. It was particularlyfavored by the  kings of Kakheti  who made choice of the monastery as the place of their coronation.Pillaged by the troops of  Shah   Abbas I of Persia  in 1615, the Bodbe monastery was restored byKing  Teimuraz I of Kakheti  (r. 1605-1648). With the revival of monastic life in Bodbe, a theologicalschool was opened. The monastery also operated one of the largest depositories of religious booksin Georgia and was home to several religious writers and scribes.In 1924, the  Soviet  government closed down the monastery and converted it into a hospital. In 1991,after the dissolution of the Soviet Union , the Bodbe monastery was resumed as a convent. Therestoration works were carried out between 1990 and 2000 and resumed in 2003.

The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral located in the historic town of Mtskheta, Georgia, to the northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. A masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is currently the second largest church building in Georgia, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral.Known as the burial site of Christ‘s mantle, Svetitskhoveli has long been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region. The present structure was completed in 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsukisdze, although the site itself dates back to the early fourth century.Svetitskhoveli is considered an endangered cultural landmark; it has survived a variety of adversities, and many of its priceless frescoes have been lost and whitewashed.

The village of Timotesubani has preserved a monument of Georgian architecture – a large monastic complex (XI-XVIII cc.), the main construction of which is the Church of the Dormition (line XII-XIII cc.). The constructions was ordered by the Georgian nobleman Shalva of Akhaltsikhe (saint martyr). The height is 28 meters. The north windows are bricked up and painted. Later, on the west side were added brick gates.

The Church is one of the most significant monuments of Georgian culture, because of its unique murals was included in the Global Fund of cultural heritage rescue. The painting is made no later than the 20ies of the XIII century and refers to the great monuments of the reign of Queen Tamar. Also there is preserved the hall type XIth century church. On the upper northern terrace stands a small, single-nave Basilica of St. Barbara. 

Tsaishi cathedral is situated near Zugdidi. The preliminary look of the cathedral was destroyed by the earthquake in 1614. The oldest building, Palaty interior is very impressive with gothic elements. It must have been built in X century. Part of the Cathedral has been restored after the earthquake. 

The Tsalenjikha Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Savior is a medieval Georgian Orthodox cathedral at the town of Tsalenjikha, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Georgia.

The cathedral is administered by the Zugdidi and Tsaishi Eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is best known for a unique cycle of murals which exemplifies the direct import of Byzantine Palaeologan style in Georgia.

Tsilkani is a forgotten farming village northwest of Mtskheta. Its church, one of the oldest in Georgia, was founded in the 4th century by an early Bagrationi of Mukhrani (Oak-Woods) the name of this valley and another now unimportant village nearby. The area has been occupied since prehistoric times.

Tsromi cathedral is an early medieval church in the village of Khashuri municipality Tsromi. It was built in 626-635 by the ruler of Kartli Stephanos II.

In IV century Tsromi had a huge importance, where the chronicler says, in 457, in August, was tortured and killed Razhden, who was a christian. May 8, 1940 earthquake damaged the church and a very important part of the dome was collapsed. Nevertheless the original plan and the overall composition remained unchanged.

Since 1949, restoration works began. The dome of the base was lifted to follow the trial wooden dome.

Tsughrughasheni Church is situated in Kvemo Kartli, on the right bank of the wide gorge of the River Foladauri, in two kilometers from Bolnisi Sioni but it is smaller and the lower portion of the dome is quite higher too. Building from the outside, from the east to the west it is surrounded by a lengthened rectangle. Its space is created by 4 arms of the cross, only the eastern arm of which is completed with an arc. Colored stones were used with special care during the construction. Monument is lavishly decorated with ornaments.

Tsunda Church is a church in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. Tsunda Church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, dates back to the 12th-13th centuries. In this vicinity, there are natural hot water springs and beautiful terraced gardens.

Ubisa is a small village and a medieval monastic complex in Georgia, particularly in the region Imereti. The monastic complex of Ubisa comprises a 9th-century St. George’s Monastery founded by St. Gregory of Khandzta, a 4-floor tower (AD 1141), fragments of a XII century defensive wall and several other buildings and structures. The monastery houses a unique cycle of murals from the late 14th century made by Damiane apparently influenced by art from the Byzantine Palaiologan period(1261-1453). The monastery is also known for its honey made by the monks.

Established by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the Vth century, Ujarma Fortress was the second capital of Georgia until the VIIIth century. King Vakhtang Gorgasali is believed  have died there after he was wounded in battle against the Persians. The fortress consisted of two parts: the Upper Fortress (the Citadel)  and the Lower City. A royal palace, consisting of a two-storey building, was located in the eastern part of the Citadel. 

"The fortress was originally surrounded by powerful protective walls with nine towers. Parts of the walls remain, together with several ruined towers.

In the middle part of the citadel is the two-storey Jvari Patiosani Church (Church of the Fair Cross).

Because of its ruined state the Fortress might be overlooked when planning a visit itinerary, but its historical importance and its beautiful views over the Iori valley make a visit worthwhile, especially as it is on the way to Telavi.

Uplistsikhe is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10 kilometers east of the town of Gori, Shida Kartli.

Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. 

The monastery is a VI-VIIth-century three-nave basilica which was rebuilt twice in the Xth and XVIIth centuries. Quite a simple and large church, it is based on twelve strong pillars for three naves. There are many inscriptions on the walls of the monastery which are thought to be the examples of the 6th-7th-century Georgian alphabet.Near the village is an VIIIth-IXth-century domed church, Ruisi Cathedral of Divinity, which serves as a center of the Urbnisi-Ruisi eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Vachnadziani Kvelatsminda Monastery is located in 5 kilometers from the village Vachnadziani in Gurjaani Municipality. This church belongs to the number of very important monuments. It can be freely said that it is the example of a transient period of the Georgian architecture. In VII-VIII centuries here stood a three-church basilica. At the end of VIII century and at the beginning of IX century domed church of Kvelatsminda was erected. Vachnadziani Monastery is one of the most important monuments in Gurjaani Municipality and the most important of all is that it has already been marked on the tourist map of Kakheti region.

Systematic archaeological studies carried out in the Vani environs since 1947 revealed the remnants of an ancient rich city of Colchis. Four distinct stages of uninterrupted occupation have been identified. Here we can see remains of wooden structures, sacrificial altars cut in the rocky ground, and rich burials, remains of stone structures, defensive walls, the so-called small gate, sanctuaries and cultic buildings, and the remains of a foundry for casting bronze statues. It is assumed that in the IIIrd to Ist centuries BC. Vani was a templar city.

 “White Giorgi” is one of the local names for a Christian saint – Giorgi in Georgia, especially in north-eastern regions of the country. Popularization of the cult induced recognition of White Giorgi as a national symbol of the country. It was a part of the Georgian coat of arms in 1918-1921 and 1991-2004.

White George Church is situated in 2 kilometers to the south of Akhmeta Municipality, on a high hill. Complex consists of a church, bell-tower, wall and auxiliary constructions. Church and wall were built in X-XIII centuries, bell-tower – in XVI century and the auxiliary constructions – XIX-XX centuries.

Church belongs to a domed, free-style cross type. Interior of the church is fully painted.

Zarzma represents major monument of Georgian architecture. The first church was built by amonk, Serapion Zarzmeli, who originally was from Klarjeti. Later Serapion’s heirs built ahuge church in the same place, to which the local feudal lord Giorgi Chorchaneli donatedvillages and estates. Today's church and bell tower were built in the early XIV century,during the rule of Samtskhe Lord Becka Jakeli. At the entrance of the temple is a stone ofthe tenth century, which was removed from a pre-existing building.  The real decoration of the church with lots of ornamentation is the southern gate. Alsosignificant are the wall paintings - along with traditional subjects, there are preservedportraits of historical figures. Zarzma bell tower is one of the largest in Georgia. In 1577, thenew owners of Zarzma, the Khurtsidze family added the arch to the first floor of the belfryand turned it into John the Evangelist Church. At the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries, after theTurkish invasion, Zarzma monastery emptied and the treasures of Zarzma were moved toGuria, in the village Shemokmedi, in a specially built church, which also was given the nameZarzma. Today, these treasures are kept in the Tbilisi State Art Museum of Georgia.

Zedazeni Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery, located on the Zedazeni mountain the hills of Saguramo, northeast to Mtskheta and to the east side of the Aragvi River.

The monastery was founded by Saint John, one of the Holy Assyrian Fathers of Georgia whose mission was to strengthen Christianity in the region.

Zugdidi Church in Zugdidi Municipality was built with the funding from Emperor Alexander I.

Virgin Mary Blakhernae icon with their belts were also returned to this place. This icon has been very important for Dadiani as it is said Constantinopol has been rescued from destroying owing to this icon.

The feast day of the church is on July 2 (new style, July 15).