Skhvilo Castle, Medieval fortress in Shida Kartli region, Georgia

Skhvilo Castle is an elongated rectangular fortress measuring about 45 by 20 m, built along a ridge above the Rekhula ravine and the Tiriponi valley in Shida Kartli. Its walls rise 11 to 14 m and end in merlons, with a five-storey quadrangular watchtower holding the northern corner and a second tower reduced to wall height on the south. Inside stand a two-storey church, a water reservoir fed by an aqueduct, and remains of residential and household buildings.

The Amilakhvari (Zevdgenidze) family received Skhvilo in the 14th century and made it their first residence. They moved to Kvemo Chala in the 16th–17th centuries, after which the castle served only as a fortress. In the 1630s King Rostom attacked and defeated Iotam Amilakhvari here; in the 1640s it was a stronghold of Givi Amilakhvari against Iran. It remained with the family until the late 18th century.

The name Skhvilo comes from the village where the Amilakhvari family settled in the 14th century. The castle church was built twice: when the population grew, a second church was placed on top of the first because of lack of space. A large water reservoir stands by the western wall next to the church.

The only entrance was on the southwest side, reached by a wooden ladder that was attached temporarily, so the interior is entered today on foot through that narrow opening. The walls stand 11–14 m high and about 2 m thick, with a five-storey watchtower at the north corner. Restoration work began in early 2020, so some sections may be closed off.

The fortress features a sophisticated bastion system with two semicircular structures on the west side and four pillar-shaped bastions projecting from the eastern wall. This varied arrangement shows thoughtful defense planning that considered threats from different directions.