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Located in the Caucasus Mountains between Europe and Asia, the country of Georgia is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination for tourists seeking history, culture, and natural beauty. Over the centuries, both Georgians and foreign occupiers have built formidable castles and fortresses to project their power and defend themselves from rivals. Read on to find out more about six of these destinations that you should not miss if you are traveling to Georgia!1. Narikala FortressRuins of the Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe walls of the Narikala Fortress tower over the south bank of the Kura (Mtkvari) River in Georgias capital, Tbilisi. The first fortifications on the site date to the 4th century CE when Georgia was under Persian rule. Over the course of Georgias turbulent history, the fortress has been controlled by Arabs, Mongols, Ottomans, and Georgians. The name Narikala, or Little Fortress, was coined during the period of Mongol rule. Most of the existing structure dates from the 16th-17th centuries.An explosion (or earthquake) in 1827 left the fortress in ruins, leaving only the outer walls intact. In recent years, parts of the lower walls have been renovated according to the plan of the medieval castle. The Church of St. Nicholas within the walls was first built during the 13th century and substantially rebuilt in the 1990s after a devastating fire.Panorama of Tbilisi from Narikala Hill, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenWhile there is little more to see within the walls of the fortress, visitors are treated to a spectacular panorama of Tbilisi from Narikala Hill. From this vantage point, it is possible to see another set of fortifications on the opposite bank of the river in the Avlabari district. During the 18th century, a palace was built on top of the walls for Queen Darejan, the wife of King Erekle II. The distinctive balcony of Queen Darejans Palace offers an attractive vista of Narikala Fortress and the Old Town.Visitors to Tbilisi can reach Narikala Fortress via a cable car from Rike Park on the northeastern bank of the Mtkvari. The fortress is also accessible via a steep but picturesque walk from the Old Town. The upper station of the cable car is a short walk from the Mother of Georgia statue, which stands proudly on Narikala Hill.Erected in 1958 to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the citys official foundation, the 20-meter tall statue is depicted with a bowl of wine in her left hand and a sword in her right, indicating that she is prepared to meet both friend and foe. Another nearby attraction is the National Botanical Gardens, located in the valley behind the fortress.2. Ananuri FortressAnanuri Fortress, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe imposing Ananuri Fortress is one of the most significant landmarks on the Georgian Military Highway, which runs from Tbilisi across the Russian border to the city of Vladikavkaz in the northern Caucasus. One of Georgias best-preserved medieval fortifications, the fortress overlooks the Zhinvali Reservoir on the Aragvi River.The walls of the fortress were built in the 13th century. A popular legend tells of the fortress garrison being resupplied from the river via a secret tunnel while being besieged by a Mongol army. A woman named Ana from the village of Nuri was captured by the Mongols and questioned about the tunnel. She refused to give away its location and was tortured and killed, thus giving the fortress its name.Ananuri served as the main military stronghold for the dukes of Aragvi from the 14th century until the 18th century. The fortress witnessed a series of battles in the 18th century, and in 1739, Ananuri was attacked by the rival duchy of Ksani. After a courageous last stand, the Aragvian warriors were defeated, and the ruling family was executed. In 1743, the new regime was overthrown in a peasant uprising, and by 1747, the Aragvian lands were annexed by King Teimuraz II of Kartli-Kakheti, the ruler of much of eastern Georgia.View of the snow-capped churches at Ananuri Fortress from the stone tower, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenWithin the walls of the complex are two 17th-century churches. The larger one, the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, was built in 1689 and features distinctive inscriptions in Georgian script on the walls. The frescoes within the church were partially restored following a fire in the 18th century.The large square tower on the western side of the fortress complex is accessible to visitors via precarious walk along the walls. The tower, which was the site of the last stand of the Aragvians in 1739, offers a unique perspective on the two churches below. The present author came close to suffering the fate of the Aragvian garrison while treading the narrow, icy path along the walls during a particularly cold spell in early March 2025.3. Akhaltsikhe CastleAkhaltsikhe Castle, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenAkhaltsikhe Castle, also known as Rabati Castle, is located in the region of SamtskheJavakheti in southern Georgia. When the castle was first built in the 9th century CE, it was called Lomsia, or Lion. The castles builder, Prince Guaram of Tao-Klarjeti, was the son of King Ashot I, the founder of the Bagrationi dynasty that would rule part or all of Georgia until the 19th century.The castle was expanded during the Georgian Golden Age in the 12th century and acquired the name of Akhaltsikhe, or New Castle. The castle consisted of three sections: a trading quarter, a palatial quarter, and the citadel on the western side. The military commanders Shalva and Ivane Akhaltsikheli, who distinguished themselves during the reign of King Tamar in the early 13th century, hailed from the ruling ducal family in the city.By the mid-13th century, the Georgian Jaqeli family took over control of Akhaltsikhe and the surrounding Samtskhe region. In 1578, the fortress was captured by the Ottoman Empire. The Jaqelis converted to Islam and continued to rule over Samtskhe for the next two-and-a-half centuries. During this period, a mosque and a madrassah were built within the walls of the compound.The mosque at Akhaltsikhe Castle. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenWhen Russia annexed Georgia at the turn of the 19th century, Akhaltsikhe remained under Ottoman rule. A Russian siege in 1810 proved unsuccessful, but the fortress was captured by Field Marshal Ivan Paskevichs Russian army in August 1828 during the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. The Russian garrison successfully defended itself against an Ottoman attack the following April.The castle was abandoned as a military stronghold in the 19th century. It remained in ruins until 2011, when a controversial redevelopment project saw the reconstruction of the ramparts, the citadel, and a 9th-century church. Other buildings, such as the mosque and madrassah, were restored, and the former Jaqeli palace now hosts the SamtskheJavakheti History Museum.Following its restoration, Akhaltsikhe Castle has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in southern Georgia. It is just over an hours drive from the cave city of Vardzia, another medieval site of great historical significance in Georgian history.4. Walls of SighnaghiWalls of Sighnaghi with the Greater Caucasus in the background, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe town of Sighnaghi is one of the most popular destinations in the region of Kakheti in eastern Georgia, best known for its wine. Located on a steep hill overlooking the Alazani Valley with the imposing Greater Caucasus range in the distance, Sighnaghi is known for the ring of defensive walls that encircle the town. The walls were built during the reign of King Erekle II, who was king of Kakheti from 1744 until his death in 1798.After Sighnaghis annexation by the Russian Empire, the town became an important strategic location due to its proximity to Dagestan at a time when Russian armies were struggling to pacify the Caucasus. The town was home to a large Armenian population during the 19th century, and it was not until the early 20th century that Georgians became the ethnic majority.The town became an important agricultural center during the Soviet era, and after the fall of the Soviet Union, it has reinvented itself as a tourist destination. The combination of wine, history, and landscape has contributed to Sighnaghis reputation as the City of Love, and since the early 2000s, many Georgian couples have chosen to get married in Sighnaghi.Panoramic view of Sighnaghi, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenAside from walking along the city walls and admiring the extraordinary views of the surrounding areaan endeavor best undertaken when the narrow pathway is not covered in icetourists in Sighnaghi can visit the Sighnaghi Local History Museum, one of the best museums in the country. A particular highlight are canvases by Niko Pirosmani, the famous Georgian artist born in the Kakhetian town of Mirzaani in 1862.Visitors to Sighnaghi can make a detour to the ancient Bodbe St. Nino Convent, a short distance to the south of the town. The convent is one of the earliest Christian institutions in Georgia and is the burial place of St. Nino, the female saint who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century CE.5. Gremi Archangels ComplexGremi Archangels Complex, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenAnother site of major historical significance in Kakheti is the Gremi Archangels Complex. Gremi was the first capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti, founded in 1466 as a breakaway kingdom by King Giorgi VIII after being overthrown as king of Georgia. The division of Georgia was formalized in 1490.Throughout its history, Kakheti has been a wealthy region due to its established agricultural industry and location on eastern trade routes. Gremi reached its heyday during the long and prosperous reign of King Levan I of Kakheti (1518-1574) in the 16th century. Levan was responsible for the construction of the Church of the Archangels next to the royal palace and was buried there following his death.While Levan successfully appealed to Russia to counterbalance Persian influence in his kingdom, his successors struggled to resist Persian encroachments at the turn of the 17th century when Russia was destabilized by the Time of Troubles.The young King Teimuraz I struggled to negotiate with Shah Abbas I of Safavid Persia, and in 1614, his mother, Queen Ketevan, surrendered herself to the Persian court as a hostage in an attempt to secure peace. Her mission failed, and the Persians invaded Kakheti between 1614 and 1616, sacking Gremi in the process. The flourishing city became a shadow of its former self. Ketevan remained in captivity and was executed brutally in 1624 after refusing to renounce her faith, making her one of Georgias most famous martyrs.Portrait of Queen Ketevan the Martyr inside the Gremi Archangels Complex, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenGremi never recovered after its sacking in 1616, and in the mid-17th century, the seat of power was officially moved to Telavi, which had previously been the most important political center in Kakheti. The fortified Archangels Complex was the only part of the city to remain largely intact after the sacking, and the royal palace next to the church was modified into a bell tower.Visitors to the Gremi Archangels Complex can find out more about its history by visiting a small but well-curated museum at the bottom of the hill for a small fee. Inside the complex, the Archangels Church remains a functioning church, while the palace/belltower hosts a small exhibition of paintings depicting the kings of Kakheti.6. Gonio-Apsaros FortressEntrance to Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, Batumi, Georgia, photograph by Surprizi, 2015. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe fortress of Gonio is located ten miles south of Batumi in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, a short distance from the Turkish border. Known as Apsaros in antiquity, the site was first occupied by the Romans in the 1st century CE as part of a defensive line of garrisons in the Black Sea region. The fort was initially a timber structure reminiscent of a temporary military camp before being built in stone.During the 2nd century CE, the fort was home to a substantial garrison of five cohorts, or around 2,500 men. However, by the 4th century CE, it appears to have been abandoned or declined significantly as the main Roman military presence in western Georgia shifted further north to a site near the present-day village of Tsikhisdziri, where Emperor Justinian built the Petra Fortress in 535. Archaeological evidence indicates that Apsaros experienced a revival in the 6th century, and the walls display signs of Byzantine and Ottoman repair work.The walls of the rectangular fortress are five meters tall and run for 900 meters around the perimeter. The fortress originally had 22 towers, of which 18 survive today. The ruins of a bath, mosque, and sewerage and water systems can be found inside the fortress. Remnants of military barracks have also been identified, though most of the Roman buildings inside the walls appear to have been made of wood.According to the 4th-century Christian theologian Sophronius, the Apostle Matthias (who replaced Judas Iscariot) was crucified and buried at Gonio-Apsaros. A gravestone within the fortress walls claims to mark the site of the apostles resting place.

A member of the Bagrationi Dynasty that ruled Georgia for a thousand years, King Tamar the Greats reign (1184-1213) marked the zenith of Georgias Golden Age. The first female monarch in Georgian history, Tamar skillfully overcame opposition among her nobles to consolidate her power. She then launched a series of victorious military campaigns that consolidated Georgias dominance of the Caucasus. The renown of Tamars cosmopolitan court at Tbilisi spread far and wide, and she continues to be remembered by Georgians as an ideal ruler.Tamar the Great: A Golden InheritanceKing David IV of Georgia (David the Builder). Copy of a fresco from Gelati Monastery. National Historical Museum, Tbilisi, Georgia. Source: Jimmy ChenGeorgias Golden Age was inaugurated in the late 11th century by King David IV, also known as David the Builder, for his efforts in reuniting the country. When David succeeded to the throne in 1089, his power was limited to Western Georgia. The rest of historical Georgia, including the ancient capitals of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, were under the control of Muslim vassals of the Seljuk Turks.After consolidating power internally in the 1090s, David took advantage of the Muslim powers preoccupation with defending the Holy Land during the First Crusade to reunite most of Georgia by 1105. Several fortresses remained under Seljuk control, and it was only after defeating the Seljuks at the Battle of Didgori in 1121 that David was able to regain Tbilisi and transfer his capital there.Victory at Didgori allowed the Georgians to dominate the southern Caucasus for a century, and David was also recognized as King of Armenia. The conquest of the emirate of Shirvan in present-day Azerbaijan brought Persian influences to the Georgian court.Upon his death in 1125, David was succeeded by his eldest son, Demetre. Demetre spent much of his reign struggling to defend his realm from various Muslim threats on the southern frontier, including the loss of Armenia. In 1155, Demetre was dethroned by his son David V, who was poisoned within a few months. While David left behind a young son, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Giorgi III.During the 1160s and 1170s, King Giorgi launched several military campaigns which restored Armenia to Georgian rule. In 1177, Giorgi put down a rebellion by his commander Ivane Orbeli, who sought to place David Vs son Demna on the throne. The brutal punishment inflicted on Demna claimed his life.A Female KingTamar and her father King Giorgi III. 19th century reproduction of 12th century wall painting from Betania Monastery in Tbilisi. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAfter putting down the Orbeli rebellion, King Giorgi took steps to secure the succession for his progeny. While Giorgi had no sons, he had two daughters with his wife, Queen Burdukhan. In 1178, Giorgi arranged to crown his eldest daughter Tamar as his co-ruler.The 18-year-old Tamar was recognized as mepe, the title held by previous (male) kings of Georgia. While Tamar is often called a queen in other languages, the Georgian word dedopali is used for a queen consort. Although Tamar is occasionally referred to as dedopali in the historical record, she is more frequently known as mepe or king, making her one of the few female kings in world history.Tamars coronation at the ancient cave citadel of Uplistsikhe as her fathers co-ruler was intended to affirm her status as Giorgi IIIs heir. When Giorgi died in 1184, the Georgian nobility insisted on a second coronation for Tamar at the Gelati Monastery in Kutaisi.While Tamar acquiesced to noble demands for the dismissal of low-born ministers appointed by her father, she resisted efforts to establish a permanent noble council with the sole right to appoint ministers and enact laws. She arrested the rebel leader Qutlu Arslan but released him in a show of magnanimity. Over time, she would gain political confidence and govern her realm with the support of a circle of loyal ministers.An Ill-Fated MarriageCeremonial Dress of King Tamar. Soviet-era reproduction based on wall paintings in the collection of the Art Palace, Tbilisi, photograph by Jimmy Chen. Source: Jimmy ChenAlthough Tamar herself was reluctant to do so, her council insisted that she should marry the Rus prince Yury Bogolyubsky. Yurys father, Andrey Bogolyubsky, sacked Kyiv and dominated the Rus principalities from the city of Vladimir on the Klyazma River to the east of Moscow. After his fathers assassination in 1175, Yury became a fugitive and formed an alliance with the Kipchaks (Polovtsians) in the Northern Caucasus to restore his throne.In 1185, Yury married Tamar and was given the title of mepe, though Tamar held the higher title of mepeta mepe (king of kings). Known as Giorgi Rusi (George of Rus) in Georgia, Yury led victorious expeditions in Armenia and Shirvan. Tamar usually accompanied her armies as they set off on campaign but stopped at the last church on Georgian soil. Despite Yurys military prowess, Tamar was not enamored with him and found him a drunkard and a brute. She received permission to divorce him in 1187.While Yury was exiled to Constantinople laden with gold and jewels, in 1189 Tamar married David Soslan, an Ossetian prince closely related to the Bagrationi dynasty. In 1191, rebel lords from southern Georgia unexpectedly installed Yury on the throne in Kutaisi. After recovering from the initial shock, Tamar mobilized loyal armies to defeat the rebels. In her magnanimity, she spared her ex-husband and sent him back to Constantinople. Yury made another attempt to reclaim the throne with the support of Azeri lords in 1193 but was quickly defeated.Military ConquestsTamar and her second husband David Soslan. Wall painting from the Bogoyavlenskiy Alanskiy Convent in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russian Federation. Source: dzen.ruWith the troublesome Yury out of the way, Tamar and David could look towards expansion and acquiring new glory. In 1192, the couple welcomed the birth of a son named Giorgi with a victory over Abu Bakr, Atabeg of Azerbaijan, which once again made Shirvan a Georgian vassal. David Soslan followed with an impressive win over Abu Bakr at Shamkor in 1195. This enabled the Georgians to occupy the important cultural center of Ganja. Though Abu Bakr soon retook Ganja, Georgian forces captured the trading town of Nakhichevan in 1197, expanding Tamars influence into northern Persia.In the meantime, the talented Georgian general Ivan Mkhargrdzeli (whose brother Zakaria was Tamars chancellor) led successful campaigns to regain a host of Armenian cities from their Muslim rulers. These victories set Georgia on a collision course with Rukn ad-Din, an ambitious warrior who had recently overthrown his brother to become Sultan of Rum (the Seljuk state in central Turkey).After retaking Erzurum from Georgia in 1201, Rukn ad-Din assembled a large army and dispatched an envoy to Tbilisi with what he believed was a gracious diplomatic offer to spare Tamars subjects if they surrendered to him. If Tamar were to convert to Islam, he would happily make her his wife; if she refused, she would be his concubine.Zakaria Mkhargrdzeli responded to the insolent message by knocking the envoy to the floor with a single punch. In her reply, Tamar informed Rukn ad-Din that the Georgian army was already at his gates. The two armies met at Basiani near Erzurum in around 1202. The Georgians surprised the enemy as Zakaria Mkhargrdzeli threw his vanguard against the enemy center. As Rukn ad-Din organized a counterattack, Georgian flanking units inflicted the decisive blow and put the enemy to flight.The Kingdom of Georgia at its greatest extent during the reign of King Tamar, c. 1210, map by Ercwlff. Source: Wikimedia CommonsVictory at the Battle of Basiani enabled Georgia to take control of the Turkish fortresses of Erzurum and Kars by 1206. In 1204, Tamar saw another opportunity to strengthen her kingdoms prospects after the Sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. Tamar had close family links to the Comnenus dynasty, which had occupied the imperial throne for a century until being overthrown in 1185.Tamar took advantage of the disintegration of the Byzantine Empire by sending Georgian troops to occupy a large strip of land on the southern coast of the Black Sea. She also installed her nephew Alexius Comnenus as ruler of the so-called Empire of Trebizond. This new entity served as a useful buffer to protect Georgias western flank.While Tamars husband, David Soslan, died in 1207, Georgian armies continued to enjoy military success under the generalship of the brothers Zakaria and Ivane Mkhargrdzeli and Tamars son Giorgi Lasha (George the Resplendent). Between 1208 and 1210, Georgian armies launched a punitive raid into northern Iran, plundering the cities of Tabriz and Qazvin in the process. The outbreak of rebellion in the mountainous regions of northeastern Georgia in 1211 was soon suppressed by Ivane Mkhardgrdzeli, who succeeded his late brother as Tamars commander-in-chief.Tamar of Georgias Cultural AchievementsShota Rustaveli presents his poem Knight in the Panther Skin to King Tamar of Georgia. Painting by Mihly Zichy, 1880s. From the collection of the Telavi History Museum, Georgia. Source: Jimmy ChenIn addition to glorious feats of arms on the battlefield, Tamars reign is regarded as the height of Georgian culture. A century earlier, David the Builder had established the Gelati Academy near Kutaisi and the Ikalto Academy near Telavi in the eastern region of Kakheti. The poet Shota Rustaveli may have studied at both institutions. Rustavelis epic poem The Knight in the Panther Skin, dating to around 1200, continues to be celebrated not only as Georgias national epic but also as a literary creation of international significance.Inspired by Persian literary tradition, Rustavelis epic is a celebration of courtly love. The tale begins at the court of Rostevan, King of Arabia, who, in the absence of a son, names his daughter Tinatin as his co-ruler. Rostevans commander-in-chief, Avtandil, is secretly in love with Tinatin. During a hunting expedition, Rostevan and Avtandil encounter a mysterious knight in a panther skin who kills the slaves whom Rostevan sends after him.Rostevan and Tinatin send Avtandil on a three-year quest to track down the elusive knight and bring him to the Arabian court. A few months short of the deadline, Avtandil finds the knight in a cave accompanied by his faithful servant-girl, Asmat. Avtandil learns that the knight is Tariel, the commander-in-chief of the Indian armies. Tariel is stricken with grief due to his lack of success in finding and rescuing his beloved Nestan-Darejan, the daughter of King Parsadan of India.Shota Rustaveli Monument at the end of Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenWhile Tariel refuses to accompany Avtandil to Arabia, the latter promises to return to the cave after delivering his report to Rostevan and Tinatin. With Tinatins private encouragement, Avtandil defies Rostevan and makes his way back to Tariels cave, offering to seek Nestan-Darejan on his friends behalf.With assistance from several parties, Avtandil eventually learns that Nestan-Darejan has been taken captive by the demonic Kadjis. Avtandil, Tariel, and their friend King Nuradin-Pridon of Mulgazanzar assemble their armies to defeat the Kadjis and liberate Nestan-Darejan. The whole party returns to Arabia, where King Rostevan forgives Avtandil and presides over his wedding to Tinatin. They then travel to India to celebrate the union of Tariel and Nestan-Darejan, and the tale ends with a celebration of brotherhood between Avtandil, Tariel, and Pridon.Rustavelis Arabia and India are poetic versions of the Georgian kingdom, while the characters of Tinatin and Nestan-Darejan are evidently inspired by Tamar herself. Likewise, Avtandil, Tariel, and Pridon bring to mind not only Tamars husband, David Soslan, but other heroic military commanders who served Tamar with great distinction.In addition to Rustaveli, other Georgian poets who celebrated Tamar in verse include Ioane Shavteli and Chakhrukhadze, who wrote a collection of poems entitled Tamariani in her honor.Death and Legacy of Tamar of GeorgiaGelati Monastery in the snow, photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenTamar spent her final years afflicted by a long illness, possibly cancer, and died in Tbilisi in January 1213. She is believed to have been buried at Gelati Monastery, though her tomb has never been found. Another theory suggests that her body was taken to the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem, founded by a Georgian monk in the 11th century. The pious Tamar was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church shortly after her death.Tamars reign is regarded as the height of Georgias Golden Age. Building on the exploits of her great-grandfather David the Builder and her father Giorgi III, she left behind a realm that was the dominant power in the Caucasus, protected by vassal states on all sides, including a rump Byzantine state. Neighboring Muslim rulers cowered in fear before the might of Georgian armies, while the Pope and Crusader states in the Levant appealed to the court in Tbilisi for assistance.For all the international prestige and renown acquired by Tamar and her court, this glorious period in Georgian history was to come to an abrupt and unexpected end within a decade of her demise. While her son and successor, Giorgi IV, was a capable military leader, his armies were no match for Jebe and Subutais Mongol cavalry, who unexpectedly arrived on the scene in 1220-1221 to wreak havoc on the Caucasus and the principalities of Rus.The shock of the Mongol invasion marked a definitive end to Georgias Golden Age. After being seriously wounded in battle against the Mongols in 1221, Giorgi died in 1223 and was succeeded as mepe (king) by his sister Rusudan. Further depredations by Sultan Jalal al-Din of Khwarazm and a renewed Mongol offensive in 1236 brought subjugation and fragmentation.