Perched high on a rocky hilltop in southern Georgia, overlooking the meeting of two rivers, is the rather impressive Khertvisi Fortress!
GENERAL INFO
📍 LOCATION: Khertvisi, Aspindza, Samtskhe-Javakheti
🇬🇪 COUNTRY: Georgia
📅 PERIOD: Ancient origins, with surviving structures mainly dating from the 10th-14th c.
🏗️ CONSTRUCTION: Stone walls, defensive towers and a citadel built on a rocky outcrop
⚔️ KNOWN FOR: Medieval history, Ottoman occupation, defensive towers and a secret passage to the river
🌊 SETTING: Rocky hilltop overlooking the meeting of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Paravani rivers
📏 DISTANCE FROM VARDZIA: Approximately 16 km
🚗 DISTANCE FROM AKHALTSIKHE: Approximately 50 km
⏰ TIME NEEDED: Approx. 30–60 minutes
🎟️ ENTRANCE: 10 GEL per adult
🕙 OPENING HOURS: 10:00 am–7:00 pm – confirm before visiting
⚠️ ACCESS NOTE: Steep, uneven stone paths and steps; limited accessibility
FORTRESS OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY ~ KING OF THE CASTLE!
WOW!! As you drive up you can see this fortress proudly sitting there on the left, its shouting out, watch out! IM in charge… yup… a striking figure in this Georgian landscape…
Bought the tickets to the castle (paid card) 10 lari and went in to explore, I was joined by my new friend from the tour and we took photos for each other which was nice
MY TIP:
If you don’t want to pay to go inside, don’t panic! Some of my favourite photos were actually taken OUTSIDE the fortress while walking up around the side. You get a much better sense of just how dramatically it sits above the landscape from down there
Much of the fortress dates back to medieval times they say between 10-14th c.
This gorgeous castle sits on this mountain looking all regal, it sits between the meeting point of the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers and has guarded this important route for so long, it looked after the routes passing through southern Georgia
So interesting how Khertvisi fortress was built directly onto a rocky outcrop, with steep cliffs providing natural protection
Its strategic position was important and it did get caught up in many conflicts that shaped Georgian history
e.g. in 13th c during the Mongol invasions, they caused massive destruction across Georgia and this fortress suffered a lot during that time
There are different styles built into this fortress, its obvious to see as you explore around, it went through reconstruction during the 14th c
Then along came the Ottomons! they captured Khertvisi for a while before it was passed onto the Russian empire in the 19th c.
A SECRET TUNNEL TO THE RIVER!
Yes! I love this… you see secret tunnels in mostly ALL fortresses and castles
And Khertvisi Fortress has its own secret passageway leading towards the river below!
During a siege, access to drinking water was absolutely essential, particularly when enemies surrounded a castle and cut off outside supplies.
The passageway is believed to have allowed defenders to reach water without leaving the protection of the fortress
DID ALEXANDER THE GREAT REALLY COME HERE?
A bit of a local legend! According to local legend, Khertvisi Fortress has connections with Alexander the Great, the famous Macedonian conqueror who lived during the 4th century BC.
Some stories suggest he passed through the region or even captured the fortress during his campaign
The relics of times gone by, they sit outside the small office complex at the entrance of the fortress
Hidden inside the enormous stone walls of Khertvisi Fortress is a tiny hall-type church thats carved directly into the natural rock
Just outside the chapel is one of the best views of the mountains from the fortress! PHOTO OP TIME!
You might have to line up to take your photo here…
And just outside the chapel hung this gorgeous carved bell, what a beautiful photo with the mountains in the background…
We had the time to walk over Khertvisi Pedestrian suspension bridge that spans the Mtkvari River and it was shaking all over the place and it was so much fun!
This river originates in North Eastern Turkey and flows for 1,515 km
Sad to say goodbye to this gem of a fortress! I really did want more time, I was one of the last to run down, but WOW, epitome of a regal fortress… love it here!
Southern Georgia has a fascinating and sometimes complicated past, having been influenced by different cultures, kingdoms and empires!
The wider Samtskhe-Javakheti region has long been home to Georgian and Armenian communities, while Ottoman and Russian rule also left their mark
OCT26
