and since the XVI century it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, in the XIX century it came under the patronage of the Russian Empire, and then returned to the rightful owners - the Georgians. That’s why, in the architecture of  Rabat is mixed different countries and cultures. The fortress entered the XXI century in a very depressing state. That is why in 2011 it was decided to fully restore and bring to its original appearance. The name "Rabat" means a fortified place, most often a small area located near the citadel. Gradually, people began to call Rabat not only the specified part of the castle, but also the whole territory. The territory of the Rabat fortress on 7 hectares, which are divided into 2 parts: Lower (modern) and Upper (historical).

In the lower part are located: an information center with a cash register, wine terraces (vineyard) and a shop with related products, an alley of love, a hotel, several restaurants, a souvenir shop, a puppet theater, towers.

In the upper part of the Rabat fortress there is a mosque of Haji Ahmed Pasha with gilded domes, a small Christian church, the Samtskhe-Javakheti museum, directly the Jakeli castle itself, and the tomb of the pasha.

Of all the above, a temple built in the 16th century and successfully surviving the Turkish rule (at that time some kind of utility room was made of it) and a mosque built on the foundations of the Christian church have a wonderful past. performing the functions of an Orthodox church. Since then, huge stone monuments with crosses have remained inside.

Another highlight of the upper part of the fortress is the historical museum. Twilight reigns inside. The exposition is presented mainly in the form of household items and weapons.

And the most interesting landmark here is considered to be a tall tower with a Georgian flag on top. The entire citadel had previously served as a castle for the ancient family of Djakeli, who for the sake of their own safety had turned over to the side of the Turkish invaders in the 16th century. From the top, highest point of the tower, there are wonderful views not only of the territory of the Rabat fortress, but also of the surroundings

The ensemble of the monastery of Vardzia was created mainly in the XII - XIII century, during the reign of George III and his daughter, Queen Tamara. Located on the southwestern border of Georgia, the monastery-fortress blocked the gorge of the Mtkvari River (Kura) from the invasion of Iranians and Turks from the south. At that time, all the premises of the monastery were hidden by a rock; only three underground passages connected them to the surface, through which large groups of soldiers could appear completely unexpectedly for the enemy.

The cave complex of Vardzia consists of 13 floors, carved up to 600 rooms: churches, chapels, living cells, storerooms, baths, refectory, treasuries, libraries.

Popular etymology explains the origin of the name "Vardzia" by the following legend. 

Once, when Queen Tamara was still a little girl, she played with her uncle in the caves, then the still unfinished monastery. At one moment, the man lost sight of the child in the labyrinths of the caves, and then the young Tamara shouted: “I'm here, uncle!”  (In Georgian aq var dzia) George III ordered that his daughters words be called the name of the monastery.

Green Monastery, officially known as Chitakhevi St. George Monastery, is an IX century friary located in the village of the same name, in the Borjomi municipality. According to historians and archeologists, it was built by Christopher and Tevdore, students of St. Grigol Khandtstheli, a very influential figure in Georgian history. The monastery complex includes a basilica-type church and a bell tower, also built in IX century. It is built from roughly hewn stone, with little to no decoration. The bell 

tower has two floors, with a prayer room on the first and a richly ornamented pavilion on the second. The place earned its loving moniker from the locals. 

Highlights

Visiting cave town in Georgi, which is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Visiting Rabati castle complex mix of Asian styles in Akhaltsikhe.

Viewing Church, Mosque,Minaret and a Synagogue.

Visiting medieval Green Monastery

Places to visit:

Rabati Fortress

Vardzia Cave Town

Green Monastery

Entrance Fees/Extra activities:

Rabati entrance -7 GEL

Vardzia entrance -7 GEL

Ticket Includes: Guide, Private transportation, Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What’s Not Included: Entrance fees, Food and drinks.