Atskuri Fortress is located close to the road, on the bank of the Mtkvari river, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, 30 kilometers far from Borjomi.
GPS coordinates for Garmin/Navitel: N41.728447, E43.165793
Built in 10th century, the fortress had an important defensive purpose. Whole Borjomi Walley is visible from its top.
The fortress is easy to notice from the road, but it is not easy to get in. You will have to climb a little.
The Atskuri village is very old. Archeologists suppose that first people settled here in 1700 BC (Bronze Age). At the beginning of AD there was ancient city at this place. The city was even visited by Andrew the Apostle.
Visible part of the ruins was built in 14-18th centuries.
Evlia Celebi described the fortress in 17th century:
It is called “Alexander’s Deep”. According to “Seref-name” book, it was the first fortress built in Gurjistan (Georgia). It was constructed by Alexander the Great. And its size, its four-cornered form and granite stones prove it. This fortress is a vicegerency of Gurjistan near Akhaltsikhe. The fortress has gates on its south side. The ruler of the city has two hundred warriors. There is a mosque, a bath and a hostelry with fourty-fifty beds. There are lots of grape-yards and gardens. As this place is located on shavsheti territory, its people speak Georgian language.
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