Ujarma Fortress
Ujarma Fortress
4.5
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4.5
40 reviews
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12
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7
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Dirk W
Alexandra Headland, Australia10,147 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Apparently Ujar is in the list of 9 oldest castles in the world. That alone, for me, is reason enough to stop and climb the goat-track up. The view from the top, overlooking River Lori and Gombori Pass, is grand and explains why the strategic fort was built here. Most of the fortress is in ruins, except for a small church. The most picturesque structure is a massive tower, which makes a splendid backdrop for the Georgian Flag.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cora_v
Kyiv26,146 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
I was surprised to see Ujarma fortress listed under Tbilisi attractions, because it’s actually situated in about 45km from Tbilisi, on the hill by Tbilisi-Telavi highway running towards Gombori Pass.
Ujarma has a beneficial sitting atop of the hill above the Iori River valley. The views over the valley and the countryside were probably less scenic in winter, when we were there, still lovely.
Most guidebooks had barely mentioned a few words about this historically important place, so I had to do a post factum research.
The chronicles describe an early settlement in Ujarma dating III century. In the second half of the V century it was significantly strengthened by Iberian (Kartli) king Vakhtang I “Gorgasali” (“Wolf’s Head”) who moved his royal residence here. In IV-VI centuries and up till about X, when it was ruined by the Arabs, Ujarma was one of the most important cities and fortresses of Georgia, and the strongest fortified city of the East-Georgian state of Kartli. It was exactly here that King Vakhtang I was transferred to and soon died from the wounds received in a fight with an invading Sassanid army in VI century (and was later interred at the Svetitskoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta).
The fortified city of Ujarma consisted of two parts: the Upper Fortress (the Citadel) and the Lower City. As we were sadly short of time, I have only glanced at what was left within the Citadel. The Upper Fortress was restored in XII century by King George III who used it as a treasury.
The ruins of the Gorgasal’s royal palace and of the small Jvari Patiosani Church (of the Fair Cross) and also of few defensive towers can still be found there. Not much is left from the Lower City, descending the slope down to the river. One of the towers was obviously the one known as the “Water Tower” for its access to the Iori River, the then main source of water supply to the city.
Unless you are keen in ancient Georgia history, this is hardly one of those attractions that you will go specifically for. The whole place is in devastated condition, and you need a good historian to enlighten you about its remarkable past.
But considering that this is the significant, if not the best, monument of the medieval Georgian fortified architecture, Ujarma is surely worth a stopover on your way to Telavi. Entrance is free.
P.S. Ujarma is also known for it was exactly here that Saint Nino has established one of the three crosses to mark the arrival of Christianity to Georgia (the other two were established in Mtskheta and on Mount Thoti).
Ujarma has a beneficial sitting atop of the hill above the Iori River valley. The views over the valley and the countryside were probably less scenic in winter, when we were there, still lovely.
Most guidebooks had barely mentioned a few words about this historically important place, so I had to do a post factum research.
The chronicles describe an early settlement in Ujarma dating III century. In the second half of the V century it was significantly strengthened by Iberian (Kartli) king Vakhtang I “Gorgasali” (“Wolf’s Head”) who moved his royal residence here. In IV-VI centuries and up till about X, when it was ruined by the Arabs, Ujarma was one of the most important cities and fortresses of Georgia, and the strongest fortified city of the East-Georgian state of Kartli. It was exactly here that King Vakhtang I was transferred to and soon died from the wounds received in a fight with an invading Sassanid army in VI century (and was later interred at the Svetitskoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta).
The fortified city of Ujarma consisted of two parts: the Upper Fortress (the Citadel) and the Lower City. As we were sadly short of time, I have only glanced at what was left within the Citadel. The Upper Fortress was restored in XII century by King George III who used it as a treasury.
The ruins of the Gorgasal’s royal palace and of the small Jvari Patiosani Church (of the Fair Cross) and also of few defensive towers can still be found there. Not much is left from the Lower City, descending the slope down to the river. One of the towers was obviously the one known as the “Water Tower” for its access to the Iori River, the then main source of water supply to the city.
Unless you are keen in ancient Georgia history, this is hardly one of those attractions that you will go specifically for. The whole place is in devastated condition, and you need a good historian to enlighten you about its remarkable past.
But considering that this is the significant, if not the best, monument of the medieval Georgian fortified architecture, Ujarma is surely worth a stopover on your way to Telavi. Entrance is free.
P.S. Ujarma is also known for it was exactly here that Saint Nino has established one of the three crosses to mark the arrival of Christianity to Georgia (the other two were established in Mtskheta and on Mount Thoti).
Written 23 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
General_Ron
Tbilisi40 contributions
Feb 2012 • Business
Ujarmas Tsikhe was built by King Gorgasal (who founded Tbilisi) in the 6th century. It is on the "new road" between Tbilisi and Telavi, about 1 hour from each of those cities. Pull into the parking area and climb the hill to the fortress. If you like history and beautiful scenery, you will not be disappointed. The fortress sits on a cliff maybe 600-700 meters high - breathtaking! There is not much infrastructure at the site and only one sign erected by a Georgian Templar group call Tadzrelebi.
Written 18 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdeleinParis
Paris, France97 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
It looks great from below, but its not such an interesting place to visit unless you have a fascination for partially reconstructed fortresses. Nice, but not essential viewing.
Written 29 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
XxxKetusha
Moscow, Russia121 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
It's near main road. Nature and forest with hills around the Fortress are really picturesque.We enjoyed our short stop, better to read some information about place in advance. We were traveling by car to Telavi, so we were pleased to explore old castle and little church on our way.
Written 4 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomasGal
Bratislava, Slovakia20 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
Since it is near main road, the fortress is easy accessible by car. Fortress is slightly overgrown with trees and has a excellent view on nearby valley. The information table is in georgean, russian and english language.
There is a chapel in one of the fortress rooms with pictures and religious symbols.
In generally, an excellent place to visit.
There is a chapel in one of the fortress rooms with pictures and religious symbols.
In generally, an excellent place to visit.
Written 21 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MALKYPOO
Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia215 contributions
Amazing fortress in the middle of nowhere in a rich and beautiful rural setting amidst rolling hills.
Written 7 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbg74
Saint Paul, MN1,096 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
This is the ruins of a major historical Georgian castle. I enjoyed exploring it and if you like ruined fortifications and Georgian history it is worth a stop. It is easy to visit on your way to Kakheti to drink some wine. If you don't care for ruined fortifications, you can safely skip it.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gorgin
Georgia14 contributions
Oct 2019
It used to be the second largest city in Eastern Georgian after Mtskheta well before Tbilisi was found. Seemingly not much is known about the castle apart from the facts that in early VI century king Gorgasali died of wounds sustained in battle with Persians here and the Arab invaders destroyed it four centuries later.
Yet, one can get an impression about a size of the castle once proudly overlooking the Iori gorge. A lower part, which consists of stone-made high walls is inaccessible from the main castle. To see the latter you'd need to go up on the hill, and a trail goes down towards the former.
Those fond of the nature will find this place really impressive, although the huge Bochorma castle situated deep inside this region in about 25 km from Ujarma en route to Sioni left me simply speechless. But it's not for everyone: wearing proper shoes is strongly advised, besides, it takes about an hour to walk up there.
Yet, one can get an impression about a size of the castle once proudly overlooking the Iori gorge. A lower part, which consists of stone-made high walls is inaccessible from the main castle. To see the latter you'd need to go up on the hill, and a trail goes down towards the former.
Those fond of the nature will find this place really impressive, although the huge Bochorma castle situated deep inside this region in about 25 km from Ujarma en route to Sioni left me simply speechless. But it's not for everyone: wearing proper shoes is strongly advised, besides, it takes about an hour to walk up there.
Written 2 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophiko
Tbilisi, Georgia30 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Very beautiful forest and the river, and the ruins of the living palace of Erekle the second. The last king of Georgia. You look at the palace and understand how modest were Georgian kings. The place is very near to Tbilisi. easy to visit
Written 6 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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