The Cave-town Uplistsekhi
“The Lord’s Fortress”
Uplistsekhi which translates as “The Lord’s Fortress” is located 10 km east of Gori City and one of the most famous historical sites to visit in Georgia. It is an ancient rock-hewn town that archaeologists consider as one of the sites of earliest and oldest urban settlement of Georgian ancestors and has witnessed the important key histories.
Located in one of the high rocky places, it lies at the bank of Mtkvari River. Its location made me remember a lesson in my history class, which says that the first civilizations have always started at the banks near the biggest rivers. The ancestors always chose a spot with a good water resource which essential for survival. So maybe for the same reason, they chose the caves as their town.
History
The site contains various structure that can be traced back to the Archaeological Era from Early Iron Ages (Bronze or Stone Age) to Late Middle Ages. It has a unique combination of a various rock-cut style that resembles the Anatolia and Iran culture as well as Pagan And Christian architecture. With a history as being the heartland, a major political and religious center of ancient Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) in the early 4th century, to being a stronghold of Muslim Conquest in the 8th and 9th century.
It gradually lost its importance and position and has been abandoned in the 14th century during the Mongol raid and invasion. After then, it has only become a temporary shelter during foreign intrusions.
The Cave Town
The 8-hectares Cave-town is comprised of three parts, southern, middle and Upper. We had to use stairs in going up and there was also a tunnel that we used to go down. It has a great architecture with rooms that serve different purposes. Some rooms are devoid of any decoration while the others have some carved spaces and structures. Some include a Water reservoir, tables, chairs, and spaces used as fireplace and cooking places.
In the upper part lies a Christian Basilica built of stone and brick during 9th-10th centuries that we were able to explore. It has the same ambiance of the previous churches we’ve visited. Pictures and paintings of saints hang on its walls and some devotees were praying when we entered. There is a souvenir shop in its entrance and has some religious collectibles.
Being a historical-architectural Museum reserve, it has been included in the list of inclusion of the UNESCO World Heritage and also subject to conservation programs since its vulnerable areas are under substantial threats of being destroyed by future earthquakes.
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