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Georgia

Samtskhe-Javakheti

Vardzia Cave Monastery

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Places to see

Caves

Georgia

Samtskhe-Javakheti

Vardzia Cave Monastery

Recommended by 25 hikers out of 26

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Location: Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

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Best Hiking Routes to Vardzia Cave Monastery

5.0

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1. Vardzia Cave Monastery loop from Vardzia

1.85km

00:36

80m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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5.0

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2. Vardzia Cave Monastery – Vardzia Cave Monastery loop from Vardzia

6.01km

01:47

170m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Olaf

August 1, 2022

This impressive cave town was carved into a 500m high rock face in the 12th century. The builders drove deep caves into the rock, which were connected by tunnels, stairs, galleries and terraces - a total of 3000 apartments in 7 floors. The city is said to have offered shelter to 50,000 people.

The main attraction is the monastery church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a magnificent columned hall and unique frescoes.

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Anne

September 2, 2022

Definitely visit, it's worth it! Bring enough time with you, you should plan 2 hours. In summer, be sure to bring water, a hat and sunscreen, as you're constantly walking in the sun. Make sure you wear good shoes, flip-flops are not recommended.

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Andi

October 3, 2023

The cave city of Vardzia (Vardzia) is located in the south of Georgia (Kartli) and was carved by hand from the tuff of Erusheti Mountain in 1185. It is the largest cave city in Georgia and is one of the absolute Georgia highlights that you should have seen.

What King Giorgi III had already planned, his daughter Queen Tamara completed. There may have been a hermitage here before, but it was the two builders who brought Vardzia to fame. Within 48 years, the cave city was built 500 m above the Mtkvari (Kura) River. Around 6,000 rooms are spread over 13 floors, which offered 50,000 people protection against the Turkish threat and the Persians, which is why it was also a fortress city. Only later did the complex function as a monastery with a teaching function and a small group of monks still live in Vardzia. A jewel of the complex is the monastery church of the Assumption of Mary, which shows valuable colored frescoes by the two builders.

Source: georgien.de/staedte-kultur/wardsia-hoehlenstadt-von-koenigin-tamara

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Details

Informations

Distance 520 m

Downhill 40 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 21 September

10°C

2°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 2.0 km/h

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Location: Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

Vardzia Cave Monastery

1. Vardzia Cave Monastery loop from Vardzia

2. Vardzia Cave Monastery – Vardzia Cave Monastery loop from Vardzia

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