Uplistsikhe Cave City

Uplistsikhe is an ancient cave city carved into rock on the left bank of the Kura River, 12 kilometers from Gori. It once contained more than 700 caves and structures, of which about 150 survive. Its main 'street' is a long rock passage linking different quarters, while interior rooms contain stone imitations of beams, columns, and other architectural details. Founded in the late 2nd or early 1st millennium BCE, Uplistsikhe began as a pagan cult center and later became an important trade and administrative center of the Kingdom of Iberia. With the spread of Christianity, many temples were rededicated and a basilica was built on the summit. After Mongol invasions in the 13th century, the city gradually emptied. Large halls with arched ceilings, altars, wineries with stone presses, tunnels, and secret passages survive. It was declared a historical and cultural monument in the early 2000s and added to UNESCO's tentative list in 2007.

People once believed that Uplistsikhe contained underground prisons, before excavations clarified the purpose of the pits. Although they served other functions, the legend of secret imprisonment still captures visitors' imaginations and adds mystery to the city.