🇬🇪 Atskuri Fortress | Georgia

Atskuri Fortress is a feudal bastion in the heart of Georgia. The fortress is a remote yet noteworthy landmark located on the banks of the Mtkvari River near the village of Atskuri, just 30 kilometers from Borjomi.
Atskuri Fortress was first mentioned in historical annals in the mid-11th century. It long held military and strategic significance as the southern protector of the Borjomi Gorge, for if Atskuri fell into the hands of the enemy, all of south Georgia would become vulnerable to invasions.
The Ottomans gained fortress control in the latter half of the 16th century. In 1770 the joint Russian-Georgian army tried and failed to free it from their grasp, and it was only in 1829, under the Treaty of Adrianople, that it was liberated from Ottoman rule.
The masterminds behind Atskuri Fortress intentionally constructed it on high and hard-to-reach rocky terrain such that the stronghold could only be entered through a narrow tunnel carved into the rock. The citadel was built in a complex fashion. The internal quarters were so tricky to access that even if the enemy successfully sieged the tunnel, the fortress could not be quickly subdued.
Atskuri was renovated multiple times after its original construction. Today, various layers attributed to different historical periods can be observed at the site, restoring the structure’s authentic look difficult. On November 7, 2006, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili declared Atskuri Fortress an Immovable Cultural Monument of National Significance to Georgia. On August 19, 2009, the fortress collapsed, and although restoration work was carried out in 2013, Atskuri sadly remains on the brink of ruin.
Today, while Atskuri Fortress is easily visible from a distance, reaching the site is challenging and involves climbing up a steep surface. While only the ruins of this magnificent site have been preserved, it is an excellent destination for tourists wishing to get off the beaten path in Georgia. Along with the fortress, the nearby historical village it proudly guards is a site of interest for many travelers who prefer exploring non-touristic destinations in Georgia.
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