Vanis Kvabebi Cave Monastery

Vanis Kvabebi, meaning "caves in the Van area," is a cave monastery in Georgia, located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, just 2 km from Tmogvi. It was likely founded in the 8th century, and a defensive wall was built in 1204. The complex includes several levels of tunnels and two churches. In the 12th century, the more famous Vardzia monastery was founded nearby. Throughout the Middle Ages, the monastery repeatedly became a site of battles: in 1553, it was attacked by Atabeg Kaihosro Jakeli, and in 1576, by a Georgian detachment.