Georgia 🇬🇪 Vardzia city of caves. 14 July 2026

Vardzia is a spectacular cave monastery complex and historic rock-cut city in southern Georgia, constructed during the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Georgia in the 12th and 13th centuries.

It is carved into the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. It stands as a monumental symbol of Georgian resilience, engineering genius, and spiritual devotion.

In King Tamar's Era, after Giorgi III passed away, his daughter, the only woman to ever be named King, continued the project. She ordered the fortress to be transformed into a vast monastic, cultural, and spiritual center. The central Church of the Dormition was consecrated in 1186.

At its peak, Vardzia contained over 6,000 rooms spread across 13 tiers. The city included living quarters, chapels, wine cellars, libraries, and an advanced, functional water system.

On our way to the church complex

We had lunch eggplant and walnut wrap for me and pork and potatoes for Michael and we shared mushrooms.

We ordered our food at the above restaurant and carried on to the caves.

Leaving for Rabati Castle and then the long drive home.