Bochorma fortress, Medieval fortress in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia
Bochorma fortress is a medieval fortification situated on a mountain ridge in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of eastern Georgia. The complex covers roughly 1.5 hectares and features high defensive walls with towers that overlook the Iori River valley.
The fortress was first documented in 914 during an invasion and subsequently changed hands among various Georgian rulers and periods of Arab control. This succession of owners reflects the site's strategic importance for regional defense.
The Saint George Church within the complex displays frescoes from the early 12th century showing biblical scenes and portraits of saints. These wall paintings reveal how believers experienced and understood faith through visual storytelling.
The ruins are located roughly 2 kilometers east of Bochorma village and can be reached through Tianeti Municipality in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. The site sits on a steep mountain ridge, so visitors should expect uneven ground and challenging terrain.
The site includes a twelve-sided church with six radiating apses, constructed from sandstone and originally covered with dressed stone slabs on both its interior and exterior walls. This unusual geometric design and elaborate stone cladding set it apart from other medieval structures in the region.
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