Georgian Cave Towns

Uplistikhe Cave Town dates back to the 6th century BC and comprises an entire town carved into a mountainside with streets, temples, palaces and residential buildings.

Established in the 12th century by King Giorgi III and developed by his daughter Queen Tamar, the Varzdia Cave Town was built as a stronghold against the Turkish. This extraordinary site once numbered some 3,000 caves though it was heavily damaged by a 15th century earthquake. Today, 550 caves have been discovered, serving as meeting halls, churches and wine cellars and connected by stairways and tunnels.