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Atskuri Fortress Atskuri is a medieval fortress in South Georgia. For many centuries it was used to defend the strategic road from the south and to control much of the Kura Valley. Many decisive battles were fought here, the traces of which are still clearly visible on the walls of Atskuri Fortress. History of Atskuri Fortress The fortress of Atskuri was first mentioned in writing in the 11th century, but it is believed that the fortress was built in the 8th-9th centuries and restored and expanded in the 11th century. The ruins of the 10th-11th century cathedral of Atskuri are also close to the fortress. In later centuries, Atskuri was mentioned several times in Georgian chronicles. For example, in the 13th century, when Queen Tamara's grandson Davit Ulu organised an uprising against the Mongol invasion, the decisive battle took place at the Atskuri fortress. At the end of the same century, a strong earthquake in the region damaged the fortress and cathedral of Atskuri, but both were soon restored. It is interesting to know that the cathedral was one of the most important churches in Georgia, next to the Atskuri fortress, and also the largest sacred building in the country, even larger than the cathedral of Mtskheta. According to legend, Apostle Andrew the First-Called spent his first night in Georgia in Atskuri, where he left the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. This icon was later kept in the Atskuri Cathedral and is now in the Tbilisi Art Museum. Atskuri became the centre of attention again when the Kingdom of Georgia was divided into several principalities in the 15th century. The princes of the Meskhetian region, where the fortress and cathedral of Atskuri are located, wanted complete independence from the rest of Georgia, which required ecclesiastical independence. They tried to give the Bishop of Meskheti the same powers as the Patriarch of Georgia. The plan was partially successful, but soon, in the 16th century, the fortress of Atskuri and the entire region fell into the hands of the Ottomans and remained under Ottoman rule for a long time, until 1828. Major events at Atskuri Fortress from the 16th to the 19th centuries Because of its strategic location, the Ottomans continued to expand the complex and stationed a Turkish garrison there. In 1770, King Irakli II temporarily retook the fortress. He defeated the garrison stationed there and moved further south, where he skilfully routed more of the Ottoman army in the historic battle of the village of Aspindsa. However, when the promised reinforcements from a Russian contingent failed to arrive, the king was forced to retreat, leaving the fortress of Atskuri and the region of Meskheti under Ottoman control. It was not until 1828, after the annexation of Georgia by Russia, that Georgian and Russian troops succeeded in liberating Atskuri and the Meskheti region from the Ottomans. Soon after, in 1829, the Meskhetian region was also incorporated into Tsarist Russia, and Atskuri has not been used as a fortress since. Atskuri Fortress today After the last battle in 1828, the fortress was abandoned for a long time. Restoration work only began in 2013 and is due to be completed by the end of 2020. Location of the fortress The fortress is located in the village of Atskuri, on the right bank of the Kura River, on a natural elevation of rock and solid stone. It is difficult to enter the fortress as there are few openings. On following trip, you will visit Atskuri: |
