Surami Fortress

Surami Fortress sits on a large rock in the center of Surami town, controlling the entrance to the Borjomi Gorge that separates eastern and western Georgia. The stone structure contains a church and rises in sections up the hillside, with walls that create distinct levels and enclosures.

The fortress served as a hereditary fief for the Eristavis dynasty of Kartli beginning in the 1170s, and later became a stronghold against Iranian forces. In the 1600s, Prince Giorgi Saakadze ordered major reconstruction work to reinforce the defenses.

The fortress holds a church with two connected rooms beneath one roof, its historical wall paintings showing the artistic traditions that mattered to people in this region. You can see how religious life and art were woven into this defensive stronghold.

The site remains open to visitors year-round, with clear paths leading from Surami town center to the fortress. Wear comfortable shoes as you climb uneven ground to reach different levels of the structure.

The walls show multiple building phases through different stone layers and construction techniques, telling a story of repeated destruction and repair across centuries. These overlapping construction layers visibly record how the fortress endured countless conflicts.