m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: Uplistsikhe

On the third day of our camping trip in this magnificent, nearly deserted UNESCO-protected site, we were visited by a group of local boys. They warmly invited us to go swimming and join them for a light breakfast. We gladly accepted and spent a pleasant morning getting to know them before we had to leave for Svaneti.The boys were very friendly and curious about us and our travels. Though we came from vastly different backgrounds, we were able to find common ground and make a human connection through simple kindnesses like sharing a meal.

The structure commonly referred to as the 'Theatre' in Uplistsikhe is believed to have been a temple rather than a theatre. It is recognisable for its triangular roof and columns, which are now crude concrete replacements of the original structure. The Theatre is considered too small for a major theatrical performance and is thought to have been used for ritualistic plays, possibly related to religious mystery plays, which were never intended for a large audience. Experts believe that it could date back to the 1st or 2nd century AD and was likely a place of religious significance, adding to the mystical and historical atmosphere of Uplistsikhe.

Geologically, Uplistsikhe is situated on an impressive rocky plateau carved out of a tuff stone formation. Tuff is a type of volcanic rock formed from consolidated volcanic ash and other pyroclastic materials. The plateau consists of various rock-cut structures interconnected by narrow streets, tunnels, and staircases, forming a labyrinth-like complex. These structures include dwellings, public buildings, a theater, a palace, and even a Christian basilica, indicating the influence of different civilizations that inhabited Uplistsikhe over the centuries.

The area beneath the Prince Church in Uplistsikhe is known as the 'Long Temple' and is another set of cave halls worth a quick glance. The Prince Church is easily recognizable for its brick facade and doesn't quite fit in with its surroundings. The Long Temple is believed to have been a pagan temple, like many other structures in Uplistsikhe. The exact use of the Long Temple is unknown, but it is thought to have been a place of religious significance.

You’ve noticed a building that does not quite fit in with its surroundings. The Prince Church is an ancient structure that dates back to the 9th or 10th centuries and is located in Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. It is one of the few structures that survived the Mongol invasion, despite the Mongols killing thousands of monks. The reason why the Mongols spared the church is unclear, but it is possible that they used it as their base of operations during the invasion. Uplistsikhe was a pagan holy place before Georgia's conversion to Christianity, and there would have been a prominent temple on the site. It is noteworthy that many churches throughout the Caucasus region were built over the ruins of demolished temples. The decline of Uplistsikhe began in the 12th century after Mongol invasions, although it was still functioning for the next few centuries.

Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia was a significant urban settlement, with various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages. The town was a cult temple city and a large pagan centre prior to the introduction of Christianity in Georgia in the 4th century. It was dedicated to the sun goddess and served as a religious center by 1000 BC.

Uplistsikhe cave complex has been on the tentative list for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage program since 2007

Uplistsikhe, which translates to "the lord's fortress," is an ancient rock-hewn town located in eastern Georgia, about 10 kilometers east of the town of Gori, Shida Kartli. The town is built on the high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River and contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages. Uplistsikhe is notable for its unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. The town is identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Strategically located in the heartland of the ancient kingdom of Kartli (or Iberia as it was known to the Classical authors), it emerged as a major political and religious center of the country. With the Christianisation of Kartli early in the 4th century, Uplistsikhe seems to have declined in its importance and lost its position to the new centers of Christian culture – Mtskheta and, later Tbilisi. However, it continued to develop as a town, and the first Christian basilica was constructed in the 6th century. In the 19th century, Uplistsikhe was lost under layers of dirt and sand but was later revived through the efforts of many experts in its excavation, cleaning, strengthening, restoration, and studying. Today, it is listed among the historical monuments protected by UNESCO.