Arrival at the "Fortress of the Lord"
In Georgia, there was one place I couldn’t miss—an ancient cave city hidden in the eastern part of the country. The drive from the historic city of Gori, Stalin's birthplace and theater of hostilities in the brief war of 2008, to Uplistsikhe was short, but full of excitement. The road led us to a landscape reminiscent of another era.
The First Impression
Arriving, as we faced the sight of the rock formations with the carved buildings, we were speechless. It looked like a ghost town, which traveled back in time from ancient times to the present day, just to admire it.
The History of the City
Uplistsikhe, meaning "Fortress of the Lord," dates back to the 2nd millennium BC, was a religious and political center of ancient Iberia and is considered to be the oldest human settlement in Georgia. It passed through a thousand waves in history, from prosperity, decline, attacks by opponents and reached today, which now closes in and around it the energy and atmosphere of so many years!
Wandering in the... Holes
The corridors and rooms, which are carved into the sandstone, form a labyrinth, which is not guarded by... the Minotaur, but dozens of tiny lizards "dressed" in the colors of the rock. They are naughty, however, and very discreet. As you... acrobat among the ruins, you can see in some places, decorative elements, such as carved columns and ceilings, which highlight the prosperity of the city in the distant past.
The Secret Tunnel
Among the most impressive structures, the secret tunnel leading to the river stood out. This exit was a lifeline for the inhabitants in times of siege. When you are at the highest point of the rock, the view of both the river and the attraction is sure to take your breath away. That's why you should remember that less than four hours will not be enough for this visit.
The City Temple
At the top of the settlement, there is the 9th-century basilica, an Orthodox Christian church, which continued to function even after the city was abandoned. The relationship of the locals with religion is well known, but apart from that, it is definitely worth being inside the temple, to admire its unique interior. Plus, from there, you'll have a perfect view of the river.
The Meeting Places
What certainly continues to impress are the large halls in the interior or semi-interior areas of the rocks. Most likely, these are assembly or command points. Also, the excavations that have been carried out over the years have brought to light several objects that were used in everyday life during the time when there was life in the city.
Destruction and Abandonment
The city suffered great damage from the Mongol raids in the 14th century. Despite the efforts of the residents to protect themselves, the minimal means they had on the one hand and the murderous fury of the Mongolian cards on the other, left them no room to react. What remained unaffected then, came the earthquake of 1920, which caused even more damage to the cave areas, to finish it.
Maintenance Efforts
Back in the 1950s, Uplistsikhe had already become a popular tourist destination, and in 2007 it was added to the UNESCO List and is now a protected monument. After all, the official authorities of the country take care of the maintenance of the cave city, since it brings in revenue from the large volume of visitors who arrive there at all times of the year and especially in the warm months.
A Window into the Past
Visiting Uplistsikhe was clearly a trip back in time for me. From the top, the image of the river Kyros and the surrounding mountains was magnificent, reminding us of the importance of this ancient settlement. Especially the interest in relation to landscape photography was special as you can see in the images.
