Odzrkhe, Fortified town ruins near Abastumani, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

Odzrkhe is a ruined fortified town on a rocky ridge above the right bank of the Otskhistskli river near Abastumani. Its walls, about 50 m long and 15 m wide, are built of rough-hewn stone and include two multi-storey towers; masonry shows repairs from different periods.

Odzrkhe was founded, by Georgian tradition, by the legendary Kartlosid hero Odzrakhos, and served from the reign of Parnavaz (first half of the 3rd century BC) as residence of the eristavi of Samtskhe and Adjara. After King Vakhtang Gorgasali's death in the 5th century it became the royal family's winter residence. By the 1230s it had lost its former importance; in 1191 rebellious nobles burned it, and in the 16th century the Ottomans took it, making it a nahiye centre of the Akhaltsikhe livi before it was abandoned.

Odzrkhe gave its name to Samtskhe, the historic province the Georgians also called Meskheti, and medieval tradition names the mythic Kartlosid hero Odzrakhos as its founder. The site kept a royal role: after King Vakhtang Gorgasali died in the 5th century it served as the royal family's winter residence. In 1191 nobles rebelling against Queen Tamar burned the town.

Sturdy footwear is essential because the ground is uneven and made of ancient stone. The terrain makes for a challenging walk, so allow time to move slowly and come prepared with water.

Odzrkhe was long identified with the old name of Samtskhe or Meskheti, so the fortress gave its name to a whole province. The site guarded the road through the Odzrkhe and Kurtskhalistskali gorges, and below the Odzrkhistskali river lie several settlement mounds, one called Zaden-gora.