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Narikala Fortress Narikala Fortress, also known as Nariqala, is the most important part of Tbilisi's Old Town. The fortress is a centre of attraction for many locals and foreign tourists and although Narikala is not huge, it dominates the entire Old Town, especially at night when the fortress is illuminated with lights. The construction of the fortress on a rocky cliff above the river had a strategic background. The strategic and economic location of the fortress later accelerated the expansion of the village around the fortress and was a prerequisite for the founding of the town. Narikala had a well-developed water supply system and two secret tunnels leading to the Kura and Tsavkisis-Tskali rivers. The fortress was besieged, damaged and rebuilt several times, so that today we have a picture of the original fortress that has changed several times. History of Narikala Fortress Narikala was built in the IV century and enlarged in the V century under King Vakhtang, after Tbilisi had become the capital of eastern Georgia. In the VII century the fortress fell into Arab hands and was restored only in the XII century. It was recaptured in the XII century by King Davit the Builder. The fortress was badly damaged by the Mongols in the 13th century and completely destroyed by the Central Asian military leader Tamerlane in the XIV century. Narikala was soon rebuilt, largely by the Persians, who used the fortress as a garrison. It was not until 1747 that the Georgian king, Irakli II, managed to capture the fortress and station Georgian troops there. After the annexation of Georgia by Russia in 1801, the fortress lost its military role and became a historical landmark. After a strong earthquake in 1827, the fortress was damaged but soon repaired. The present image of the fortress dates largely from 1827. Name of the fort and its towers At various times, the fortress has had different names such as "Narikala", "Deda-Tsikhe", "Shuris-Tsikhe" and "Kala-Tsikhe". The current name is of Mongolian origin, dating back to the XIII century, and is composed of the 2 Mongolian words "Narin" (= small) and "Kala" (= fortress). As the Mongols travelled throughout the Caucasus, there are several fortresses of the same name in the region, for example the fortress in Darbend (Dagestan) is also called Narin-Kala. The fortress had several towers with special names such as "Tabriz" or "Tower of Istanbul". One of the towers - "Shahis-Tachti" - was used as an observatory in the Middle Ages. Location of Narikala fortress Narikala Fortress is located on the hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical garden. Complex of buildings The defensive wall Church dedicated to St Nicholas St Nicholas Church inside the fortress The church inside the fortress cannot be overlooked. It is dedicated to St Nicholas and stands on a foundation from the XIII century. In the 19th century, the church was used as a gunpowder magazine until a lightning strike in 1827 caused an explosion and fire, which completely destroyed the church. The present church was built in 1990-93 and frescoed in the following years. If you look closely, you can see that the Church of St Nicholas in the Narikala Fortress has the same architecture, height and size as the Metekhi Church on the other side of the Kura River. On following trip, you will visit Narikala Fortress |
