There are many beautiful places and historical landmarks to see throughout Eastern Georgia. In this article we focused specifically on Shida Kartli spots. Here are several locations one can enjoy just a one hour drive away from Tbilisi and it’s easy to pair several destinations for a one or two day trip, whether it’s hiking and camping or just admiring ruins of ancient monumental buildings and religious remains.
Rkoni Monastery
Photo Source: Kaspi.gov.ge
Rkoni Monastery Complex
Rkoni Monastery Complex is located in Kaspi Municipality, on the ruins of Village Rkoni.
During the span of 12th and 13th centuries, Rkoni was an important trading spot on the military-strategic road connecting Shida Kartli, Javakheti and Trialeti. This led to development and intense development of the village.
The following centuries were difficult for this region, as enemies of different origin attacked and destroyed it. Eventually Rkoni Monastery Complex was reconstructed several times.
At the dawn of the 20th century, there was a functioning workshop-laboratory of weapons and explosives for supplying armed rebellion.
Nowadays, Rkoni Monastery Complex is preserved in several parts: the Church of Virgin Mary, the gate, the chapel, the refectory, the tower, the bell tower, the Baptist Church, Tamari Bridge and the monks’ residential buildings.
River Dzama Valley and its beauties
Dzama Valley is located in Kareli Municipality. River Dzama originates at the Northern slope of Trialeti ridge at 2140 meters above sea level and ends up in Mtkvari near Agara.
Dzama valley is outstanding by the beauty of nature and with the number of cultural monuments.
Bateti Lake
Photo Source: Wikimedia.org
One of the popular places in Dzama Valley is Bateti Lake. It is a perfect getaway for the one-day hiking activity with friends. There is a camping place near the lake as well. Visited in every season, the lake is hidden in a mixed forest, which makes it the most beautiful in autumn when everything around becomes colorful. Bateti lake is of landslide origin. Swimming is not recommended as it doesn’t have a wide shore and there are Red Book included rare breed Asian Tritons living in the water.
Kozifa Monastery Complex
Photo Source: Wikipedia.org
Just 17 km away from Bateti Lake, there is another historical Kozifa Monastery Complex. The complex includes five churches, a defensive wall, a crypt and other buildings. The temples are built densely and form a single complex. Nowadays, all temples have been restored and services are being held in all of them.
Kintsvisi Monastery
Photo Source: Wikimedia.org
Another well-known landmark of Dzama Valley is Kintsvisi Monastery. The main building of the complex was built around the 12th century. Kintsvisi is one of the most important examples of Georgian architecture. The wall paintings of Kintsvisi stand out for its high artistic value, which is of great importance for the history of the development of Georgian and medieval monumental painting.
Sarkineti Monastery
Photo Source: Madloba.info
Sarkineti Monastery is a church carved in the rock, named after Shio Mgvimeli. The carving process of the temple began in 2008 and was opened in 2011. Sarkineti is the first rock carved church since the 14th century. Being the embodiment of old traditions, the temple can be reached through a five-meter corridor. Two arched windows of the church are cut in the rock, and on the top of the rock, there is a bell tower. The interior of the building is entirely painted.
Mdzovreti Fortress
Photo source: Madloba.info
Mdzovreti Fortress is situated on the right bank of the river Dzama. The complex includes: a church, a bell-tower, a castle and several houses and agricultural places. It is a complicated monumental construction built over the rock, with three construction layers found in the fortress. In the eastern part of the fortress there is a church of Virgin Mary.
Amilakhvari Castle
Photo Source: Wikipedia.org
Amilakhvari Castle is an architectural monument located in Kvemo Chala village, Kaspi Municipality. The monument is a large complex, built in the 17th and 18th century. Originally, it consisted of three castles and belonged to a Georgian noble family of Amilakhvari. The complex suffered considerable destruction during the centuries, and currently only the main castle and the fragments of the other two remain.
There is an old sauna on the complex territory. The typical 18th century Eastern Georgian sauna has a complex interior, each room having a dome and windows in the vaults. The entrance leads to an octagonal room with niches. Separate entrances lead to the side rooms and the main bathing room with the pool. The bathing room dome is decorated in sgraffito technique.
Of course, there are many more places to see in this part of Georgia. It’s up to travelers’ interests whether they enjoy historical sightseeings like old fortresses or monasteries, or creations of natural origin like lakes, valleys and mountains. One thing we can add – Shida Kartli has it all.
