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Surrounding Region - From Akhaltsikhe to Vardsia |
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From Akhaltsikhe to Vardsia
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From Akhaltsikhe to Vardsia
The second biggest city in the region is Akhaltsikhe. Next to shopping possibilities in the new part of the town, especially the museum in the old town Rabati is of interest. This museum can be found in the castle and provides information about archaeological and ethnographic history of the region.
The monastery of Sapara is situated 10km south of the town. Of the twelve churches St. Saba Cathedral is the biggest, dating back to the 13th and 14th century. The detailed ornaments and decorations, as well as the frescos, make this church a highlight of art.
The road from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia is spangled with historical sites. In the eastern direction the road winds for 60km to Vardzia, a medieval cave city, where halfway you come across Khertvesi Castle, one of the oldest fortifications in Georgia.
Continuing on the road beyond Khertvesi Castle you soon get a view of the tuff layers. In these rocks Queen Tamar had a cave system built; in its golden age there used to live over 50,000 people in the cave town of Vardzia.
Going in the western direction for approx. 12 km, across the river Kvabliani, the Zarzma Monastery arises on a green hill top. The monastery, dating back to the 14th century, is surrounded by the village of Zarzma. The architecture of the church is one of the last examples of medieval church building art.
Not far from the monastery, in a small valley higher up in the mountains, you can find the recently restorated Chule Monastery.
  
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