Rabati Castle-Khertvisi-Vardzia Full Day Tour

Rabati Castle is located in the town of Akhaltsikhe, on the bank of the river Potskhovi. The Arabic word “Rabat” is translated as a fortified place. The fortress was built on a high hill and is visible from any point of the city.

Rabati Castle was built in the XIII century and had seen many invasions and destructions. In the XIII century, the fortress was destroyed by the army of Tamerlane. The majestic fortress was in ruins. Then it was restored, but hundred years later it was again destroyed by Mongolian troops, then came the Ottoman army and the army of the Russian Empire. In times of all the invasions, the fortress was of great strategic importance.

Khertvisi Castle is one of the oldest fortifications in Georgia. Exactly when it was founded is unknown. Legend has it that Alexander the Great passed through here during his Eastern campaign and that, at that time, there was a city fortress at this site.

The oldest parts of the present castle date back to the 10th century, the most recent to the 19th century. It was repeatedly rebuilt during its existence. In the 10th and 11th century it was the center of the Meskheti area and in the 12th century, it became a town. In the 13th century, it was destroyed by the Mongols.

Vardzia was built after 10,000 Turkish troops marched into Georgia but were defeated by a bold Georgian army of just 2,000 men. There are only 750 rooms left now after an earthquake but in its heyday, it housed 50,000 people. The rooms include monk cells, a grand foyer, a treasury, cathedral, libraries, stables, bakeries, and bathing pools. Each dwelling consisted of three rooms, although it is said that Queen Tamar, Georgia’s first female sovereign, who completed the city after her uncle’s death, had 366 rooms so that if Vardzia were to be invaded by the Persians she would be able to lose the enemy in her quarters.