Cave Monastery Vardzia Bashny.Net

In the southern part of Georgia is a unique monument of architecture of the Middle Ages, which is a monastic complex in tuff rock, along the Kura River. The total number of premises of the monastery more than 600 rooms.

The monastery Vardzia is located inside the mountain Erusheti, and once this has been equipped with running water, as well as the whole irrigation system. The complex includes not only the cells, but several churches, chapels, storage rooms, storage space for the treasury, library and other necessary facilities. The total height of the monastery is eight floors. The monastery was built in the late XII - early XIII century, when George the Third and his heiress Tamara. In addition to the religious orientation, the monastery also serves as protective. The monastery-fortress defended the valley from potential attacks of the Turks and Iranians. In wartime Here are my refuge royal family. On the "outside world," the monastery joined three underground exit.