List of fortifications in Georgia (country)

There are over 100 castles and forts in Georgia, which were constructed between the years 800 and 1700 by various provincial kings. The castles and forts have long been abandoned, but most are still standing, and some are preserved by the United Nations.[1][2]

View from the tower at Ananuri
Rabati, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia

The earliest castle in Georgia was the Ananuri castle, which was built in the period from 1200–1249. The Ananuri castle consisted of two castles with a big curtain wall surrounding them. It was the seat of the dukes of the Duchy of Aragvi, which was one of multiple feudal dynasties during the period.[3]

The last castle to be built in Georgia was the Rabati Castle, which was built between 1250 and 1299. The original town was built from 700–800, with the castle being built in the 1260s. From the 1260s to the 1340s, the castle and the surrounding town were the capital cities of the province of Samtskhe-Saatabago, which was ruled by the House of Jaqeli.[4]

The forts of Georgia lie in varying states of ruin. The oldest was built in the 9th century, while some were built as late as the 17th century. While many still stand, most have been heavily damaged by various causes.[5]

Citadel Tbilisi

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Tbilisi

Castles

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Castles in Georgia
Castle nameLocationTime builtNotesReference
AnanuriOn the Aragvi river, 72 km (45 mi) from Tbilisi1200–1249[6]
Rabati CastleAt the town of Akhaltsikhe, Georgia1250–1300Originally called Lomisa Castle before the Ottoman conquest.[7][8]

Forts and fortresses

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Forts and fortresses in Georgia
Fort nameLocationTime builtNotesReference
Atskuri Fortress30 km (19 mi) from Borjomi900–999[9]
BakhtrioniKakheti region, left bank of the Alazani river1650s[5]
BirtvisiTetritsqaro Municipality1038[10]
Gagi Fortressnear the town of Marneuliunknown
Gori FortressOverlooking the city of Gori1200–1299[11]
GremiKakheti region, 175 km (109 mi) from Tbilisi1600–1699[12]
KeseloTusheti region, overlooking the village of Omalo1230s
Khertvisi FortressMeskheti region1354
MutsoKhevsureti region, right bank of the Andakistskali riverunknown
NarikalaTbilisi300–399
Agarani FortressNear Kojori, Tbilisialso known as Kojori Fortress, Azeuli Fortress or Kor Ogli Fortress
Redoubt Kali10 miles north of Poti1807[13]
Surami FortressSurami1170s
TmogviLeft bank of the Kura river800–899[14]

References

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Citations

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Bibliography

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Web sources

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  • "Atskuri". Historical Monuments of Georgia. 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.