Uplitsikhe

Uplistsikhe the town in rocks is situated east of Gori on the left bank of the river Mtkvari. It amazed the visitors the river Mtkvari. It amazes the visitors by its dimensions, its extraordinary beautiful position, its retined forms and the beauty of decors. the skill, knowledge, experience, physical and spiritual power of all those, who created this unique monument. The history of Uplistsikhe goes down into two centuries. According to archaeological findings of men here goes back to the first millennium B.C.

In the II-I milleniums one of the strongest community residing here, used the natural caves on their dwellings. In X-VI centuries B.C. Uplistsikhe is the residence of the strongest community and the strongest community and the fortress of the leader of the tribe (upali-leader) from where comes the name ‘Uplistsikhe “.

In VI-V centuries B.C. Uplistsikhe is one of the strongest political, cultural and economic center and the royal residence.

In III-I centuries ‘Uplistsikhe” is the typical Hellenistic town.

In I-III centuries A.D. “Uplistsikhe” is an important strategic and religious center.

    After the establishment of the Christianity as the state religion (the 30-ies of IV century) the town began to decline.

  It was badly damaged in XII century during Mongol invasions. And in IV century it finely fell.

     Different kinds of halls, rooms, and buildings made in different epochs to survive. A lot of archaeological buildings shed light on the history of Uplistsikhe, such as: ritual things, jewels, made of gold, silver, Iron, bones, stone, clay sculptures.

     By the findings the people of Uplistsikhe had close ties with the centers of Urartu, Iran, Armenia, Asia Minor and Greek-roman counties. The articles made here are of high artistic quality and Uplistsikhe is the center of handicrafts. (Findings are kept in the state art museum of Georgia)

     The complex comprises along building, the west church, and houses with big church and halls with one pillar and halls with caissons. A magnificent house with a high throne building situated at the head of the main street, a building difficult to reach, ordinary room pillared halls and four pillared halls. (The principal temple complex), the prince’s church, house at the edge of a rock, a platform on the bank of the street, a hall with the parallel complex etc.

     In XIX century Uplistsikhe was a deserted place covered with earth.

Only the tops of the tallest buildings were visible.

  In 1957 a restoration was made and in the recent years it has announced to be a reservation.

  In research work and excavation are being conducted. By the World Bank antic monuments are chosen to be fortified.

  Unfortunately some more important monuments were not included in the list because of financing.