Uplistsikhe Cave

Uplistsikhe, the cave town is situated 7 km southeast of Gori on the left bank of the River Mtkvari. The site still amazes the visitors by its dimensions, extraordinary position, refined forms and the beauty of landscape. You will find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theater there. You will be impressed by the skill, knowledge, experience and physical and spiritual power of all those, who created this unique monument.

The history of Uplistsikhe goes back to the 2nd-1st millenniums B.C. In antiquity, the city was one of the most important centers of Kartli and in the middle Ages it stood on an important trade route that linked Byzantium with India and China. In 10th-16th centuries B.C. one of the strongest communities, residing on this territory used the natural caves for dwellings, later Uplistsikhe became one of the strongest political, cultural, religious and economic centers and the royal residence.

After the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, in the 30s of 4th century, the town began to decline. During Mongol invasions in 12th century it was badly damaged and soon in the 13th century, the hordes of Genghis Khan’s son Khulagu finally destroyed it. The five thousand inhabitants of Uplistsikhe perished and life ended forever in the fortress.

Today various kinds of halls, rooms, and buildings made in different epochs still survive. Archaeological findings such as ritual things and jewels made of gold, silver, Iron, bones, stone and clay sculptures shed light to the history of the town. Archaeologists claim that the people of Uplistsikhe had close ties with the centers of Urartu, Asia Minor and Greek-Roman countries. The handicrafts made here are of high artistic quality, today kept in the State Art Museum of Georgia.