Narikala in Georgia

Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura river. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church.

The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., "Invidious Fort"). It was considerably expanded in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089-1125). The Mongols renamed it "Narin Qala" (i.e., "Little Fortress"). Most of extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished.

The city’s main citadel, which dates from the 4th Century AD. Rick: The Narikala Fortress sits above the Tbilisi botanical gardens, one can stroll the gardens and view the fortress quite well. Enter the fortress only with a guide, caution is urged. Look for two steel doors entering a hillside in the garden and have a look at the largest bomb shelter I have ever seen, built Soviet style. This is a tunnel which runs through the hill all the way to the center of the city again caution is urged. Tbilisi is a wonderful city for wine and food lovers, excellent resturants and very resonable. However, hard times always present some problems and unemployment is high.