Ananuri, Military fortress and monastery in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia.

Ananuri is a fortress and monastery complex in Mtskheta-Mtianeti comprising two defensive structures, three churches, a bell tower, and fortification walls overlooking the Aragvi River and Zhinvali Reservoir. The layout shows how military and religious functions were combined within a single walled compound.

The Aragvi Eristavis dynasty established this fortress as their power base starting in the 13th century. A massive attack in 1739 brought their rule to a catastrophic end and left permanent marks on the complex.

The name Ananuri comes from a legend: a woman named Ana from Nuri was tortured by besiegers to reveal the secret tunnel to the water but refused and died, so the fortress took her name. The Church of the Virgin holds the graves of Aragvi dukes and a stone baldaquin built by the widow of Duke Edishera, who died in 1674.

The site sits about 74 kilometers north of Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road and welcomes visitors during daylight hours with no entry fee. Well-worn paths guide you through the complex, and the open layout makes it easy to explore at your own pace.

The name Ananuri comes from a legend: during a siege, a woman named Ana from Nuri was captured and tortured to reveal the location of the secret tunnel to the water, but she refused and died. The fortress was named after her. The tunnel itself kept the besieged supplied until the defenders were forced to surrender in 1739.