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What to see in Georgia? Attractions and their photos

If you decide what to see in Georgia, remember that this country is one of the monasteries of Orthodoxy. The mountain landscape and some isolation from the rest of European civilization created here all the conditions for the appearance of amazing architectural ensembles.

Vardzia

Including the monastery complex of Vardzia (or Vardzia), which is located directly in the caves. All this for certain reminds the first Christian communities, hiding in the mountains of Cappadocia and other Asian provinces of the Roman Empire.

Vardzia is about 600 different buildings, including religious ones (chapels, churches, cells), as well as economic (refectory rooms, baths). Here flows the Mtkvari River, over which are all these amazing buildings. The whole complex is stretched for about a kilometer. Its height is commensurate with the size of a house of eight floors.

The central building of Vardzia is a temple where you can still see images of Georgian rulers of the Middle Ages - George III and Tamara. When the monastery was founded in the XII century, he also performed the functions of the fortress. The bastion protected the country from its southern neighbors - Muslims and nomads. It could accommodate a garrison the size of 50 thousand people.

Mtskheta

Tours to Georgia often include the first ancient capital of this state. This is Mtskheta. Here, in the IV century, Christianity was officially accepted - much earlier than many European countries. The status of the capital here lasted until the V century, when it was moved to Tbilisi.

These places are imbued with biblical history. Fifty kilometers from here is Mount Ararat. It is there, as it is believed, Noah's Ark moored after the Great Flood.

Despite the fact that the city is actively emerging modern architecture, the old historical areas remain under reliable protection, including through the efforts of UNESCO. Two kilometers from here are the remnants of Armazi, an ancient settlement founded before our era. This was the holy place of the Iberian pagans until the Roman general Pompey arrived here (in 65 BC).

This is enough to understand what to see in Georgia. However, in Mtskheta you can also find the Samtavro Monastery. It was founded in the IV century by King Mirian III - the first Christian ruler of the country.

Svetitskhoveli

There, in Mtskheta, there is a temple, which for millennia was the main religious construction of all Georgia. Due to its high value, Svetitskhoveli was listed as a World Heritage Site. Travel to Georgia will be incomplete without visiting this place.

Translated into Russian, the name can mean "life-giving pillar". This is the largest historical building, preserved in Georgia since the Middle Ages.

Originally on this site was a wooden church, built in the IV century. It was the burial place of the Robe of Christ, the revered relic. Unfortunately, nothing left of this building.

Later, a basilica appeared here, the foundation of which was discovered in the 70s of the 20th century by the efforts of Soviet archaeologists. Finally, in the 11th century, the damaged basilica was replaced with the Svetitskhoveli temple.

A trip to Georgia will give an opportunity to enjoy the preserved unique architecture of this structure. The history of the construction of the temple was the basis of the novel by Konstantin Gamsakhurdia, written in 1939. His book "The Hand of the Great Master", first published in Georgian, was successfully adopted in the USSR and marked by Stalin.

Uplistsikhe

Not far from Gori is another great monument of local exoticism. These are the remains of the town Uplistsikhe, located in a huge cave complex. The uniqueness of this ensemble is that it is several thousand years old, and for all this time there lived several different cultures, each of which preserved something from itself. It turned out a whole kaleidoscope, capturing the life of local people for many centuries.

If you do not know what to see in Georgia, then immediately take tickets to Gori to get to Uplistsikhe. The city blossomed many times, it was again left by the inhabitants and rebuilt anew. Large halls, mysterious tunnels, other buildings - all this is literally carved into a rocky rock.

Somewhere on the border of the second and first millennium BC there were the first religious buildings of pagans. Not far from here on the hills there was also a settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. However, an unknown cataclysm forced the inhabitants to leave it and go down into the caves.

The city did not belong to any state and lived apart from its neighbors. However, there is evidence that at that time Uplistsikhe even traded with the distant Midia.

The growth of the city was particularly noticeable at the beginning of our era, when money was coming from the trade routes between East and Europe. Before the coming of Christianity here worshiped the gods of the Earth, the Sun and other elements. During the existence of the Georgian kingdom Uplistsikhe reached its heyday. However, the Mongol invasion in the 13th century put an end to his greatness. And although later it was re-occupied several times, it still could not reach its former heights. The caves were finally abandoned in the XIX century. Anyway, no city in Georgia will make such an impression as these magnificent ruins.

Cathedral of Alaverdi

Kakheti is the easternmost region of Georgia. He, like the west of the country, is rich in sights. So here too, there is something to see in Georgia.

For example, in the XI century the Alaverdi temple was built here. The building has preserved original paintings from the XV century. Unfortunately, more ancient evidence of the time perished, as the temple was often destroyed by invaders.

It is dedicated to St. George and for a long time was the highest temple of the country. The complex is surrounded by a stone wall, within which there are many buildings. It is a bell tower, refectory halls, and also a small palace. Here the Kakhetian kings were buried. Their graves can still be found in the courtyard of the temple. They are still of interest for archaeological research. Tours to Georgia often include this point of the route.

Borjomi

So called the resort, the national park and the world-famous brand of medicinal water. Travel to Georgia can not do without these amazing places.

Mineral water is extracted in the gorge, which for a long time was a popular holiday destination. Including the king's guests came here. The dynasty of the Romanovs had its own residence here, which has survived to this day.

Moderate temperature, which persists in both summer and winter, has a positive effect on health. This is really a great place to relieve stress and gain strength for a long time. The stone baths found here and related to the past centuries indicate that the beneficial properties of the local water were known in the distant past.

Ananuri

The landscape of Georgia is full of gorges, which have always been important transport routes. In the Middle Ages, they were guarded as the apple of their eye, since often this was the only way that the enemy could come. Therefore, fortresses were built in the gorges, which were very difficult to take because of massive fortifications and advantages in position.

One such fortification was Ananuri. The fortress is only 70 kilometers from the capital of Tbilisi, so it is easy to get to. Like other cities in Georgia, a well-fortified castle was an important position for Russian troops when the country joined Russia in the 19th century. Authentic towers and temples make a strong impression even on those who are already familiar with the local color.

Gelati Monastery

This is the main monastery of medieval Georgia, which, moreover, was the residence of the supreme dignitaries of the local Church from the 16th to the 19th century. In the 1990s, it was recognized as a World Heritage site, which means additional protection from UNESCO.

There are unique mosaics here, which Georgia no longer has. Reviews about this place are always the brightest and brightest. Architectural ensemble began to build in the XII century and continued for several centuries.

Gudauri

In conclusion, we will digress from historical excursions and will be transferred to snow-covered resorts. Mountain-skiing Georgia is developing not so long, but already now it often becomes the sole purpose of tourists visiting this country.

One of the most popular resorts is called Gudauri. There is everything for active and bright holidays. The Caucasus Mountains are a unique nature and clean air that will cheer anyone up.

Especially popular here virgin fields and descent on them. It's a great freeride track. For beginners in the resort, a training slope with a length of 600 meters is open. To quickly climb to the very top of the complex, you can use the cable cars, which are several. So a trip to Georgia guarantees not only an interesting and useful voyage, but also a lot of extreme sensations.

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