Vardzia, Cave monastery in Samtskhe–Javakheti, Georgia.
The monastery complex extends along a cliff face for 500 meters, containing approximately 300 caves arranged across nineteen vertical levels.
Queen Tamar of Georgia commissioned the construction of Vardzia in 1185 as an underground sanctuary during the Mongol invasions of the region.
The Church of the Dormition contains detailed wall paintings from the 1180s, representing significant developments in medieval Georgian religious artistry.
Visitors can reach the site by taking a marshrutka from Tbilisi to Akhaltsikhe, followed by another local transport to Vardzia, requiring about five hours.
The monastery maintains an ancient irrigation system that still provides drinking water through tunnels carved into the mountain nearly 900 years ago.
Location: Samtskhe–Javakheti
Inception: 12 century
Founders: Tamar of Georgia
Elevation above the sea: 1,300 m
GPS coordinates: 41.38084,43.28376
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:42
Georgia offers diverse photography settings from ancient fortresses to natural landscapes. The country features medieval churches, monasteries carved into cliffs, and national parks. Photographers can document architecture in Tbilisi, mountains in Svaneti, and coastal scenes along the Black Sea. Historical sites include Roman fortresses, Orthodox cathedrals, and archaeological ruins.
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