• AliceAlainEast to ArmeniaTraveler
    Georgian church on the edge of the high plateau
    The gorge of yesterday continues into GeorgiaAlain on a vantage pointDescending a narrow track into the gorgeThe cave city on the opposite sideMultistory city with earthquake-induced balconiesA slim cyclist admires the Bell towerGorge downstream Varzia. On the left the fortification, which descends to a stairway in the river.Khertvisi castle further down the gorge.

    Georgia’s Cave city

    May 27, 2024 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    From our night on the high Georgian plateau, we have a very short ride to the crest of a deep gorge. Here the tarmac road becomes a narrow steep hair-pinned dirt track with stupendous views. We descend slowly, revelling in the views of the gorge and of Vardzia, the cave city which faces us across the valley.
    Once down (it’s a long way down) we are amongst tourists!. Something we have been away from for several weeks. The 13-storey cave city was built by King Giorgi III in the 12th Century. It suffered an earthquake in 1283 in which the front side of the caves fell off. They now have railings and make for rather fine balconies with wonderful views. The caves are most impressive and at the same time have many similarities to the caves of Cappadocia.

    Below Vardzia, the beautiful gorge continues to wind its way through cliffs and below high castles.    Read more