Samshvilde

Samshvilde was one of the oldest cities in Georgia, occupying a narrow promontory between the gorges of the Khrami and Chivchavi rivers, defended on two sides by cliffs and on the third by walls, and it was a regional capital before being repeatedly sacked and finally abandoned. What is left is spread along the spur: stretches of wall and gate, cisterns, cave chambers cut into the rock, a bath, and the ruined Sioni church, built between 759 and 777 and carrying an inscription recording its construction. Excavation has been under way in recent years. There is no ticket office and no supervision, and the walk out along the promontory is exposed.

History

An expedition of 1968-1970 found two layers of the early Bronze Age Kura-Araxes culture here, from the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, with a settlement, a burial ground and a round cult building. The Georgian chronicles call the place Orbi, founded by the mythic Kartlos and taken by Alexander the Great, and from the 3rd century BC it was the seat of a duke of Kartli; King Archil, c. 411-435, gave it to his son Mihrdat, whose wife Sagdukht is credited with building the Sioni church, and in the 7th century Anania Shirakatsi listed it with Tbilisi and Mtskheta as one of the three main towns of the country. Contested for centuries between Georgian, Armenian and Muslim rulers, it was taken around 888 by Smbat I of Armenia, became the capital of the Armenian kings of Tashir-Dzoraget at the end of the 10th century and was joined to the Kingdom of Georgia in 1064; its name means "place of the bow" (Wikipedia, Samshvilde).

What to look for

• A city on a cliff promontory - defended by two gorges and a wall.
• The Sioni church ruin - built 759 to 777 with a dated inscription.
• Cave chambers and cisterns - cut into the rock along the spur.
• Ongoing excavation - the site under active investigation.

When to go

April to October; the promontory is hot and exposed in summer and muddy in winter. Half a day. Bring water; there is nothing on site.

Good to know

There are no facilities, no signage and unfenced cliff edges. The track in needs clearance and the last stretch is walked. Excavation areas may be fenced. Nothing is explained on the ground.

Nearby

Tetritskaro and Birtvisi lie north.

Key facts