Dariali Gorge
The Gate of the Caucasus.
AkakiBalanchivadze — CC BY-SA 4.0 · shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates — CC BY 2.0 · Ben Men Lyun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ben Men Lyun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kober — CC BY-SA 3.0
A modern monastery in the narrow Dariali Gorge, which cuts through the Greater Caucasus between Georgia and Russia, built in the 2010s of pink stone in Georgian style beside the Upper Lars border crossing. Two towering rock walls enclose it, so it looks tiny against the mountains, one of the most striking sights on the Georgian Military Road. The complex has a large domed church and bell tower, arched galleries and monks' buildings, and its courtyard looks down on the roaring Terek river at the bottom of the gorge. The gorge itself appears in ancient geographers' writings as a north–south pass for thousands of years, known as the Gate of the Caucasus. Entry is free. Modest dress is expected, and women cover their hair. The monastery sits right beside the border post, so do not photograph border installations, do not go past the barrier unless you mean to cross, and carry your passport. It is about a quarter of an hour by car from Stepantsminda, so pair it with Gergeti church and Truso valley on a Kazbegi day.
The Gate of the Caucasus.
Under towering cliffs.
Roaring below.
Dariali Gorge on the Georgian Military Road, by the Upper Lars crossing, about 10 km north of Stepantsminda
Yes, it is open to visitors, but do not photograph border installations or pass the barrier, and carry your passport.