Vardzia is a very popular historic site in Georgia. Cave Cities are generally popular and Vardzia seconds its popularity only to Uplistsikhe. But Uplistsikhe largely benefits from the fact that it is closer to the capital. Everyone admits that Vardzia (located near Aspindza) is much more unique and original. In addition to the monastery, Vardzia Gorge also has several cave complexes, forts, temples and so on.

Vardzia is a product of the Georgian Golden Age Era. The building of the city is credited to Queen Tamara, but the first caves were created during the reign of her father George III (1156 - 1184). These few caves were carved on the site of the modern Church of the Assumption, by the source, and from the eastern part of the temple porch something like the altar niche is still seen. Archaeologists believe this niche to be a part of the very first, later rebuilt temple. Assumption Church and Bell Tower are the most recognizable visual objects. All the rest is a lot of caves and several tunnels. Some caves have their conditional names, which are written on the plates.

 

Important addition!

To those our guests and tourists, who wish to fully feel this cave city, we recommend to leave out to previous destinations, those who wish to see it all, are better not changing the route.