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Khertvisi Fortress When it comes to the most beautiful fortresses in Georgia, Khertvisi is certainly in the top three. Not only the monument itself, but also its location on the steep rock between the rivers makes Khertvisi an impressive fortress. The name In Georgian, "Ertvis" means "flowing together" and the name Khertvisi (meaning "confluence") was given to the fortress because of its location at the confluence of the Kura and Paravani rivers. History of Khertvisi Fortress The different parts of the fortress were built in different centuries. According to the 11th-century Georgian chronicler Leonti Mroweli, the first parts of the Khertvisi fortress were built as early as the 4th century BC, and the complex was expanded over time. In the 10th century Khertvisi became the centre of the Meskhetian region and in the same century a small basilica (2.7 x 4.3) was built in the fortress. The church was fully restored in 2010 and, despite its small size, is clearly visible from afar. In the 12th century, the Chertwizi fortress was expanded to the point that it was given the status of a town. Unfortunately, it was almost completely destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century. According to the inscription on the fortress, the tower and ramparts were built between 1354 and 1356. Over the centuries the fortress changed hands several times. The Vachnadzes, Shalikashvilis, Qamqamiszes and Chertwisarnis ruled here - these families controlled not only the fortress but also the whole region. In 1578, the fortress of Khertvisi fell into Ottoman hands and the Georgian princes Jakeli were installed as local rulers. Although Georgian, the princes had converted to Islam. In 1624, Grand Prince Giorgi Saakadze managed to take control of the fortress for a short time. There was another brief success in 1771, when the Georgian king Irakli II. Khertvisi, but he soon had to cede the fortress back to the Ottomans. It was not until 1828 that the Georgians were able to retake the fortress with the help of the Russian army, but the following year Khertvisi was annexed by Tsarist Russia along with the regions of southern Georgia. Interesting facts about Khertvisi 1) In 1770, after the Battle of Aspindsa, the Prince of Khertvisi Ibrahim Vachnadze surrendered his fortress without a fight to King Irakli II. 2) Not necessarily the best, but the most famous ruler of Khertvisi was the Islamised Georgian Selim Pasha (of the Jakeli family). He made it his life's work to weaken Georgia outside his principality and often supported the North Caucasian Dagestanis in raids into Georgia. Selim was also the largest human trafficker in Georgia in the 18th century. 3 In 1816, the ruler of the region, Mehmed Rashin Beg, was staying at the Khertvisi fortress when local women came to him to complain about the generally poor conditions in the region. He paid them little heed and simply threw them out. He was then mortally wounded by the people of the fort. 4. In 1819 the son of King Erekle II, Alexander, stayed in the fortress after taking part in an uprising against Tsarist Russia. As a result, the Prince of Khertvisi, Mehmed Vachnadze, demanded that Alexander be handed over to the Russians. But the host and prince of Khertvisi refused and did not hand over his guest. 5 Mehmed Vachnadze was the last Prince of Khertvisi until the fortress was captured in 1828. Khertvisi Fortress today The fortress was neglected for a long time until restoration work began in 2014 and, after four years of work, a large part of the complex has been faithfully restored. A museum has been opened on the grounds of the fortress and can be visited for the equivalent of 3 euros. In 2007, Khertvisi was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On following trip, you will visit Khertvisi |
