小コーカサスの峡谷・トップ10

Grey-brown, rounded rocks form many chains of hills and cliffs, canyons and ravines, constantly going up and down. The rock is a smooth, hard sand-gravel-marl; somewhat similar to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, but not as sandy, but with larger stones/pebbles in it; partly karstified. Some climbers tried their hand at the vertical walls (some of these walls were covered in ivy from top to bottom). A good starting point would actually be Tbisi; but the marshrutka sets off a kilometer earlier. In the interior of the area there are only small paths; all are unmarked, sometimes difficult to find under the bushes and grass, and the castle can therefore only be found by those in the know. Streams appear and disappear.

The geological formation is incredible. The path is next to the basalt wall, it will be safe until a rock falls on someone's head. Today, entry was 300 drams. The structure they built for pedestrians is good, I believe it is possible to travel the route with a wheelchair too. I entered from the side that comes from the valley, going down the street next to the entrance to the Temple of the Sun (separate entrance). There is another entrance for those coming by car, and this one has a slightly steep slope. I didn't like the number of cars passing among the pedestrians, it seems to me that it will turn into a place for mass tourism.

Excellent place with unique atmosphere of ancient times!

It is an abandoned castle on a high rock above the river. Very little is known about the ancient history of the Askana castle. Archaeologists found there layers of IV century. The Turks Askana Castlecaptured it in 1774, but soon the princes Gurieli with the help of Imeretian kings repulsed it back. At the beginning of the XIX century it belonged to the princes Asatiani and was captured by the Gurian princes until about 1820. About it in the book of Vasily Potto “Caucasian war” there is a big story. With abbreviations, it looks like this: “…This day memorable in the country, the struggle waged by Kaikhosro against two of the worst enemies of the order, two moravov: hasanskogo – David Asatiani and langusage of Taboadela of Gardonia. Folk tradition clothed the fall Askana legendary halo. In this legend are drawn in vivid terms, and the nature of Kaikhosro, and status in the then houris of morals. Built in a deep gorge, on a steep rock, the Askan castle on a favorable location more than other fortresses represented a reliable stronghold and a brothel for robbers. In it, after a wild youth, lived out his life old David Asatiani. He was surrounded by a crowd of his relatives, as willful and disobedient as himself, and all sorts of people rejected by the homeland, hiding here from the persecution of the law.

Short, steep climb from the road above the cemetery to the top of the rock outcrop known as Avanakar, where you'll find an assortment of historical relics and a great view along the gorge.

Here you have a few options for small snacks. Walnuts, figs, blackberries and grapes can be found along the way.

The monument is made up of huge symmetrical hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns (almost 50 meters high), which appear to be handcrafted due to their extraordinary symmetry. These wonderful rocks were formed under high pressure conditions due to the cooling and crystallization of volcanic lava. These stones suspended against gravity resemble an organ, which explains why it is also called the “Basalt Organ”. The soundtrack is provided by the river that flows through the gorge and fills the splendor of the stone with the sound of water. Source: https://www.tourismconnection.it/en/armenia-la-sinfonia-delle-pietre/#:~:text=The%20monument%20is%20made%20up,and%20crystallization%20of%20volcanic%20lava.

The monument is made up of huge symmetrical hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns (almost 50 meters high), which appear to be handcrafted due to their extraordinary symmetry. These wonderful rocks were formed under high pressure conditions due to the cooling and crystallization of volcanic lava. These stones suspended against gravity resemble an organ, which explains why it is also called the “Basalt Organ”. The soundtrack is provided by the river that flows through the gorge and fills the splendor of the stone with the sound of water. Source: https://www.tourismconnection.it/en/armenia-la-sinfonia-delle-pietre/#:~:text=The%20monument%20is%20made%20up,and%20crystallization%20of%20volcanic%20lava.