Square tower
Reservoir views.
DAVID HOLT from London, England — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Andrzej Wójtowicz from Poznań, Poland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Jeremy Teigen from USA — CC BY 2.0 · Paata (www.paata.ge) from Tbilisi Georgia — CC BY 2.0 · Carole Raddato — CC BY-SA 2.0 · franek2 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jonathan Cardy — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0
A fortress and church complex on the bank of the Aragvi river overlooking the turquoise waters of the Zhinvali reservoir, on the Georgian Military Road about seventy kilometres north of Tbilisi, roughly halfway to Kazbegi. It is one of the loveliest stops on that road and on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. The castle was the seat of the Dukes of Aragvi, a feudal family that ruled the area from the thirteenth century, and saw many battles, most famously in 1739 when a rival duchy's forces attacked, set it on fire and massacred the Aragvi clan. Legend says its name comes from a woman called Ana from the village of Nuri, who chose death rather than reveal the secret tunnel that brought water to the besieged. The fortifications are two castles joined by a crenellated wall: the upper one, with its great square tower called Sheupovari, is well preserved, while the lower one, with a round tower, is mostly ruined. Inside are two churches, the larger being the Church of the Mother of God built in 1689, with richly carved facades including a grapevine cross on the south wall. Entry is free and the churches are in use, so dress modestly. You can climb the great tower for a view over the reservoir, though its steps are narrow and steep. Most visitors stop here on the way between Tbilisi and Kazbegi.
Reservoir views.
The grapevine cross.
Turquoise water.
On the Aragvi river and Zhinvali reservoir, Georgian Military Road, about seventy kilometres north of Tbilisi
Yes; it sits right on the Georgian Military Road between Tbilisi and Kazbegi, and an hour covers the castle, the churches and the tower.