Nokalakevi

Nokalakevi means the place where a city was, and the city was Archaeopolis, a stronghold of the kingdom of Lazica that was fortified heavily in the fifth and sixth centuries and figures in Byzantine accounts of the wars fought over this coast. The site runs up a hillside above the Tekhuri river with three lines of defence: walls and towers along the lower town, a middle circuit and a citadel on the ridge. Inside are churches, a bath house with hypocaust, cisterns and a tunnel cut down to the river to secure water during a siege. Excavation has been running for decades as a joint Georgian and British project, and a museum displays the finds.

What you actually see

• Three lines of walls and towers - the defences up the hillside.
• The tunnel to the river - the cut passage securing water in a siege.
• A bath house with hypocaust - the late antique heating system.
• The site museum - finds from decades of excavation.

When to go

April to October; summer excavation seasons bring the site to life. Half a day. The climb to the citadel is steep. Check museum opening before travelling.

Honest expectations

The climb to the upper circuits is steep and rough. Much of the site is walls at knee height and takes interpretation. The museum has limited hours. Signage is thin and mostly in Georgian.

Nearby

Senaki is south-east; Martvili lies north-east.