Hewn into the mountain slopes of southern Georgia is the ancient cave city of Varzia. The sprawling fortress, once ruled by a powerful female monarch, still offers a fascinating look into the past for modern visitors.
From 3,000-year-old Uplistikhe to the 6th century David Gareja Monastery and the long-forgotten dwellings of Samshvilde, all of Georgia's cave sites are awe-inspiring.Scattered across the slopes of Erusheti, looming over a lush valley scored by the Mtkvari river, Vardzia is Georgia's most remarkable cave city.
At the helm of it all was Tamar the Great, a legendary monarch so fierce and powerful she earned the title of king -- Tamar Mepe. Over her near 30-year reign -- twice married and a woman no less -- Georgia thrived politically and territorially, her rule stretching across the Greater Caucasus and plunging south between modern day Ganja and Erzurum.Literature and art flourished like never before, giving way to some of Georgia's greatest figures.
Even further into the mountain are the labyrinth of untouched tunnels -- some more than 600-feet long -- connecting it all together in an ancient web.Even the time-worn dining hall with its stone sculpted benches and hearth for baking prevail. Visitors will want to go on a hunt for the Tears of Queen Tamar, a natural spring hidden deep within the tunnels where you'll find a pool seemingly filled with water pouring -- or crying -- from the rocks above it.The surroundings have quite a lot on offer too. Opposite Vardzia is the Vardzia Cavetown Viewpoint. As the name suggests, it's an excellent stop off to take it all in from afar.
En route back to Tbilisi, you'll come to a forked road marked by Khertvisi Fortress -- a medieval castle outstretched atop a rocky outcrop. A turn right will take you towards Armenia and deeper into Samtskhe-Javakheti.Vardzia is situated in Samtskhe-Javakheti, a region in southern Georgia flanked by Turkey and Armenia with a vibrant tapestry of culture, landscape and cuisine.
The region is shaped as much by its culinary traditions as it is cultural landmarks. Thanks to the influence of several cultures over the centuries, Samtskhe-Javakheti offers a whole gamut of delicious food.
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