Fortress of Khertvisi and Tsunda

Khertvisi is a medieval fortress on the border of Samtskhe and Javakheti, it stands on the strategically important venue, at the confluence of rivers Paravani and Mtkvari, on the high rocky mountain. Its name is related to the geographic location of the fortress. Khertvisi fortress comes across in historical sources from XI century. In 1578-1829 Khertvisi fortress was the seat of Ottoman garrison and administrative center. There are traces of a lot of renovations (Georgian, Russian, Ottoman) conducted at the fortress. Khertvisi fortress is noted with big space and a number of utility rooms. It has an unaccessible citadel, court church. The fortress was supplied with water through a tunnel constructed from south-west.

Tsunda was the old political and religious center of Javakheti. Nowadays this place is called the village of Nakalakevi (old city). It is located on the right bank of river Mtkvari. As the historical sources report, the city was founded by Etnarkh Javakhos. The founder of the Kingdom of Kartli, king Parnavaz (IV-III cc. BC) turned Tsunda into a center of the Principality. It was placed on the important trade and military routes. Church of Tsunda was erected on the small rock and it is a hall church constructed in XII-XIII centuries with quadrangular stone. The church is richly ornamented. On the western gate there is an inscription in Asomtavruli. An anteroom with ornamented columns is attached to the south. The architectural idea of the church was implemented originally. One can enter the internal courtyard encircled by the fence only through the church.