Discover Inner Kartli: History and Landscapes
Accommodation in Inner Kartli
Inner Kartli invites you to discover Georgian history and impressive landscapes in a variety of ways. Highlights include a fortress with a long history of settlement, a cathedral known for its frescoes, and the diverse monuments of the Dzama Valley. Waterfalls and a mountain with panoramic views add to the cultural discoveries. When planning your trip, you can decide whether historical sites, sacred art or nature experiences should take priority.
Eine der historischen Höhlen von Uplistsikhe in Innerkartlien.
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Fortress and Early History in Gori
Gori Fortress dates back to the 13th century. The history of the site goes back even further: evidence of human settlement dates to the 1st millennium BC. This place therefore brings together the medieval history of the fortress and a much older history of settlement. If you are interested in the region’s past, you can also visit the Museum of History and Ethnography in Gori, which preserves archaeological collections dating from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC. The fortress and museum offer different ways to explore the past: one tells the story of the fortress site, while the other preserves archaeological collections.
Georgian Monumental Art and Ancient Vineyards
Ateni Sioni Cathedral is a church dating from the 7th century. It is known for its 11th-century frescoes of the Mother of God and is also considered one of the finest examples of Georgian monumental art. This combination of architecture and frescoes makes it a notable destination for anyone interested in sacred art and history during their trip. Its setting is also part of its distinctive character: Ateni Sioni stands on a rocky promontory overlooking ancient terraced vineyards. Art history and landscape make for a shared reason to visit, without the view of the vineyards diminishing the significance of the frescoes.
Monasteries, Monuments and Nature in the Dzama Valley
The Dzama Valley is home to as many as 60 historic monuments. These include old and modern churches and monasteries, as well as fortresses, towers and natural attractions. The valley therefore offers a wide range of discoveries, from different types of buildings to distinctive landscapes. Kintsvisi Monastery stands on a rise in the valley of the Dzama River, near the village of Kintsvisi in the Shida Kartli region. A 25-metre-high waterfall is also found in the same valley, near Mount Abukhalo. Mount Shuano offers another perspective on the landscape: it is 2,350 metres high and provides panoramic views.
Waterfalls as a Nature Experience
Biisi Waterfall can be reached via a 2.5-kilometre walking trail through natural surroundings. In winter, Biisi Waterfall turns into a striking column of ice. Its winter appearance is quite different from the waterfall as a hiking destination, making the season a factor to consider when deciding which nature experiences to include in your trip.
Choosing the Right Focus for Your Trip
Shida Kartli can be reached from Tbilisi by car in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. This is an approximate travel time for the journey to Shida Kartli. Your preferred excursions may help you choose a holiday apartment: Gori offers a fortress and archaeological collections, Ateni Sioni Cathedral is known for its frescoes and Georgian monumental art, and the Dzama Valley offers monasteries, monuments and nature.
Places in the same category include Tsiplovana, Gori, Tergvisi and Khashuri. Other destinations at the same level: Lower Kartli, Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Adjara.
Go to the overview of destinations in the parent region: Georgia.
