Vardzia-Khertvisi Cave Town

This unique cave town and monastery is 800 years old and is carved within the rock of the mountain. The city was constructed so that it was out of sight from any invaders. Water cisterns, monks' cells, workshops, houses, and wine cellars are linked by tunnels and staircases. The houses have sleeping platforms hewn from the rock, stone tables, seats and niches for the oil lamps. At the centre of the cave system is The Church of the Assumption where coloured frescoes of the royal family can be seen.