Foto: The Rock City of Vardzia (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Georgia - The cave city of Vardzia is a rock monastery on the slopes of the Erusheli River. It was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185 as protection against the Mongols and consisted of over six thousand apartments across thirteen levels. The only access to the complex was through a few well-hidden entrances. An earthquake in 1283 destroyed about two-thirds of the city, exposing the caves from the outside. Even today, a few monks still reside in the rock dwellings. We are driven up in a minibus. Stone steps carved from the rock lead to the former residences. Some areas have steel stairs added for easier access. We follow the route through various caves. The views of the surroundings are stunning. Midway through the complex, we arrive at the Orthodox church. The church features remarkable frescoes. A stern-looking monk manages the church and the small candle shop. Behind the church, a tunnel carved from the rock leads to a water reservoir, fed by mountain streams. The monks draw their drinking water here with a pump. A yellowed, barely legible note requests that no coins be thrown into the water, which is for the clergy’s use. From the church, Nino leads part of the group through the “tunnel,” a passage carved into the rock with steps hewn from the stone. Sometimes the passage is only 1.2 meters high. Carefully, I climb up and down the often worn steps. Nino always warns to place both feet on a step before taking the next. Sometimes the steps are narrow and high, sometimes uneven. Everyone safely reaches the church again. From here, we descend to the parking area, following stone stairs, tunnels, and passing the wine cellars. By quarter past three, I am back at the parking lot.
Freedom Square in Tbilisi
Georgia - Today is Independence Day in Georgia. For the 25th time, it is celebrated that Georgia became independent from Russia. On the famous Rustaveli Avenue, many stalls and stages are set up. There is entertainment everywhere. We order a sandwich at one of ...
The Ancient Capital Mtskheta
Georgia - We drive to the old capital, Mtskheta. Before visiting the cathedral in the town, we drive to the church on the hill opposite Mtskheta. This church sits on the other bank of the river. The Jvari Church contains a large wooden cross, symbolizing the wooden ...
The Bodbe Monastery
Georgia - After about a two-hour drive, we reach Bodbe Monastery, one of Georgia’s most important religious sites. This active convent is particularly known as the burial place of Saint Nino, who played a crucial role in converting Georgia to Christianity in ...
The Modern Resort Town of Batumi
Georgia - The weather clears, and the sun even breaks through. On the boulevard, most of the beach tents are being dismantled and cleared away—the season is over. Behind the boulevard stand tall apartment blocks and skyscrapers of unusual shapes, giving the skyline ...
The monastery of David Gareja
Georgia - We drive out of Sagarejo, heading for the David Gareja monastery. The monastery is carved into the rocks and lies exactly in the mountainous area on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. We had heard the road there would be bad. Expecting the worst, ...
The mountain road to Ushguli
Georgia - From Mestia we continue driving to Ushguli. Mestia is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Ushguli at 2,200 meters. This makes Ushguli the highest continuously inhabited mountain village in Europe. We do wonder if this is not higher in the Alps. The ...
The Stalin Museum in Gori
Georgia - We drive on to Gori, a city world-famous as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. He was born here in 1878 in a modest wooden house, still standing next to the museum later built in his honor. Visiting a museum dedicated to a man responsible for the oppression ...
Tsminda Sameba Church Kazbegi
Georgia - Just after two o’clock we approach Stepantsminda. Along the roadside are numerous trucks, kilometers long. The trucks have been waiting here for the border crossing with Russia. Further along the route, there is no place to park. The police let a few ...