A WHOLE MEDIEVAL CITY CARVED INTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN!
Exploring a 12th c. Monastery, Medieval Frescoes & One of Georgia’s Most Awesome Historic Wonders!
GENERAL VARDZIA INFO
📍 LOCATION: Vardzia, Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti
🇬🇪 COUNTRY: Georgia
🏛️ TYPE: Medieval cave monastery and historic rock-cut settlement
📅 PERIOD: Mainly 12th c.
👑 ASSOCIATED WITH: King Giorgi III and Queen Tamar
🕳️ KNOWN FOR: Cave chambers, tunnels, medieval frescoes, wine cellars and mountain scenery
🏞️ SETTING: Erusheti mountain cliffs overlooking the Mtkvari (Kura) River
⏰ TIME NEEDED: Approx 1.5–2.5 hours
🎟️ ENTRANCE: Around 15 GEL per adult
🚐 SHUTTLE: May be available from the entrance area for an additional fee
🕙 OPENING HOURS: Seasonal – check before visiting
👟 WHAT TO BRING: Comfortable shoes, drinking water, sun protection and a small torch
⚠️ ACCESS NOTE: Some areas were closed following a rockfall in May 2026; check current access
🥾 DIFFICULTY: Moderate – steps, slopes, uneven surfaces and narrow passages
Expect uneven surfaces, stone steps, narrow passages, occasional low ceilings, tight spaces and exposed sections of pathway, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes – if you are visiting in summer, bring water
LOCATION
🗺️ GOOGLE MAPS: Vardzia Cave Monastery – Location
Located in Southern Georgia close to the Northern Armenian border
Area Info and view points – I suggest to stop on the other side of the caves and get a great photo from there, as you drive to the caves you already see it but stop somewhere and enjoy the view
HOW DID VARDZIA GET ITS NAME?
Heres a legend for ya!
Going off a popular Georgian story, a young Tamar was exploring the caves when she was seperated from her uncle
As he searched for her, she called out:
Ak var, dzia! = Im here uncle!
And the story goes that those words became the name VARDZIA
A CITY INSIDE A MOUNTAIN!
I love how this brought out my imagination when I first heard about these caves!
This will be my 2nd time here, and ill keep going back I love it so much here… so much to see, frescoes, a church inside, ancient passageways, secret tunnels and caves that used to be so much more!
As we drive up to the caves, I start noticing the cliffs and mountains start changing from what they were and look more rocky with exposed rocks
And then you see it! small little black dots, which your brain puts into context and you recognise they are little doorways and windows!
How do they make these types of opening and tunnels leading far into the side of this mountain… and how much more is there that we havent found!?
We bought our tickets from the booth at the foot of the caves and paid 2lari to catch the shuttle up (as it was a hot day) but I would suggest the walk up is better if you can handle it
THE MOUNTAINS, THE RIVER & THOSE AMAZING VIEWS!
The scenery around the caves is just beautiful!
Looking out over the MTKVARI River (Kura River) and the rugged hills and dramatic valley stretches out into the distance
As I looked down at the side of the mountain and at the caves, Im just left in awe how they would have built into these caves and also why they would have chosen this location
It seems obvious that the River provided water, the location had a good defensive advantages to it and the valley provided other resources
THE CHURCH OF THE DORMITION ~ HIDDEN TREASURES INSIDE THE ROCK!
And as youre walking around the caves complex, dont be surprised to see a monk wandering around totally ignoring you!
There are plenty of them as there is not only just caves here but a 12th c monastery complex! churches, store rooms, living quarters & wine cellars!
These Monks live here full time in one quarter of the caves with their own dormitories and private areas, but do wonder around telling tourists where not to go!
The arches signify the area where the Church is and you pass under these gorgeous arches and into the church
Inside the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Inside were medieval frescoes all over the walls and ceiling which were depicting religious scenes, saints and royal figures
These paintings includes a portrait of Queen Tamar and makes it one of the most surviving visual records of this famous Georgian ruler
The back of the church is rather interesting, this is the first time I went inside here and noticed it looked like there was a building inside with windows!
And as you go down the stairs you come to a tiny little 1 room chapel with the triangle roof and a space around it, interesting!
The 3 bells hanging from the archway outside of the church
And going off in another direction, there is a freshwater well which is still being used by the monks
This water was cleverly created by these builders for the community living in the caves high above the water supply and they created channels to provide this to the people
SECRET TUNNELS, HIDDEN ROOMS & MEDIEVAL ENGINEERING!
There were also wine cellars which contain clay vessels known as QVEVRI
Remains show that wine production and storage was part of life here with many wine cellars and clay pots
It was an important part of their culture and also of religious life!
The cave complex was designed with interconnected passageways, stairways and defensive features and allows people to move between different sections of the settlements
Its said that in 1283 there was a strong earthquake that damaged the mountainside and destroyed parts of the complex and exposed rooms which werent exposed before
We had caught the bus shuttle up and decided to walk down which was a great decision as we looked over and around the beautiful valley as we chatted about what we had experienced
VARDZIA IS SOMETHING SPECIAL!
Its a unique place this!
They have created an entire community living in these caves and the incredible engineering that I just cant understand to its full extent!
The scenery of the valley and the noise of the rushing river just adds to the charm and adventure of this place!
I love discovering places like this on my travels!
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