City Guide
Carved into the rocky slopes above the Mtkvari River, Vardzia is one of Georgia’s most extraordinary historical monuments. The vast complex was developed mainly in the 12th century, during the reigns of King Giorgi III and his daughter, Queen Tamar, when Georgia experienced a remarkable period of political and cultural growth.
Vardzia once functioned as a fortified settlement and religious centre, with living quarters, churches, wine cellars, storage rooms and an intricate network of tunnels and stairways. The Church of the Dormition, decorated with medieval frescoes including a famous portrait of Queen Tamar, remains one of its most significant features.
Although earthquakes and invasions damaged the original complex, hundreds of caves and sections of its historic infrastructure survive. Walking through Vardzia offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval Georgian life, architecture and spirituality, all set against the dramatic landscape of the Mtkvari Gorge.
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