Bebris tsikhe, Medieval fortress in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia.
Bebris Tsikhe is a medieval fortress in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of Georgia, built on two levels with a triangular citadel and corner towers. The walls are made of regularly cut stone blocks and survive in part, showing the layout of a typical Georgian military structure.
Originally known as Belti, the fortress was built to protect the areas around Mtskheta and Tbilisi from attacks coming from the north along the Greater Caucasus. Over time it was expanded and reinforced more than once, which is why the stonework shows traces of different construction phases.
The name Bebris Tsikhe means "Grandfather's Fortress" in Georgian, which gives the place a personal rather than purely military character. Visitors walking along the remaining walls can spot the differences between older and newer stonework, where repairs from different periods sit side by side.
A visit is more comfortable in dry weather, as the paths around the site and between the wall sections can be uneven. The higher parts of the fortress give open views over the surrounding valley and hills.
The southwestern tower was originally a multi-story structure with wooden floors and small openings placed at angles in the walls so defenders could watch a wide area without exposing themselves. This type of tower layout is found in only a few Georgian fortresses in such a readable state.
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