Vardzia: Vacation Apartments and Holiday Homes
Those looking to rent a vacation apartment in Vardzia can continue their accommodation search afterward. A total of 242 caves have been partially or completely preserved in Vardzia.
Culture and History
The Vardzia Historical–Architectural Museum-Reserve encompasses a cave complex with 13 levels, including the Church of the Dormition, defensive and irrigation structures, monks’ cells, an aqueduct, secret tunnels, a bell tower, and several churches. Most of the main construction took place between 1156 and 1203. The Church of the Dormition and its narthex contain murals depicting scenes from the life of Christ, as well as portraits of King Giorgi III and Queen Tamar.
The Vardzia-Khertvisi area contains Asomtavruli inscriptions dating from the 9th to the 18th century. Zeda Vardzia preserves an example of the two-nave church type from the 11th century. Atskvita is associated with underground shelters called Darnas, which are thought to date from the Late Bronze Age. Atskvita is also described as a place that preserves Georgian folklore and traditions.
The historic Tmogvi Fortress lies in the Mtkvari Valley and controlled access to Georgia from Asia during the Middle Ages. Khertvisi Fortress is described as a medieval fortress on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. Historically, Vardzia had 28 wine cellars housing 235 qvevris.
Landscape and Nature
The Vardzia-Khertvisi cultural heritage area stretches for 18 kilometers from Khertvisi to Vardzia in the upper Mtkvari Basin. Villages and agricultural land in the Vardzia-Khertvisi Gorge are arranged on terraces that follow the gorge’s topography.
Sparrows, ravens, and Egyptian vultures nest in the rocks of Vardzia. Blue rock thrushes and rock buntings can also be observed around Vardzia.
Routes and Getting There
Vardzia can be reached by bus or minibus on the Tbilisi–Aspindza–Vardzia route. An alternative route involves taking the train from Tbilisi to Akhaltsikhe and then continuing by minibus. The road from Khertvisi to Vardzia runs through the Mtkvari Valley.
The hike along the Khertvisi–Shalosheti Mountain–Atskvita route begins in the village of Khertvisi. The trail is 28 kilometers long; completing the entire route requires 2–3 days and an overnight stay in a tent. The route toward Atskvita passes through untouched wilderness.
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