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Georgia

owever, Uplistsikhe reemerged as a principal Georgian stronghold during the Muslim conquest of Tbilisi in the 8th and 9th century. The Mongol raids in the 14th century marked the ultimate eclipse of the town; it was virtually abandoned, and only occasionally used as a temporary shelter in times of foreign intrusions.

At the summit of the complex is a Christian basilica built of stone and brick in the 9th-10th centuries.

The majority of the caves are devoid of any decorations, although some of the larger structures have coffered tunnel-vaulted ceilings, with the stone carved in imitation of logs. Some of the larger structures also have niches in the back or sides, which may have been used for ceremonial purposes.

Archaeological excavations have discovered numerous artifacts of different periods, including gold, silver and bronze jewellery, and samples of ceramics and sculptures. Many of these artifacts are in the safekeeping of the National Museum in Tbilisi.

The Uplistsikhe complex can tentatively be divided into three parts: south (lower), middle (central) and north (upper) covering an area of approximately 8 hectares. The middle part is the largest, contains a bulk of the Uplistsikhe rock-cut structures, and is connected to the southern part via a narrow rock-cut pass and a tunnel. Narrow alleys and sometimes staircases radiate from the central "street" to the different structures.

Large central hall for pagan rituals

Inside the Christian Basilica

Arrive in the city of Akhaltsikhe. This building would be one of the Peoples building like we have seen in other Georgian Towns.

It is a small city with a population of about 50,000 and the capital of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

The city has been around for at least 800 years . It was the regional administrative center for the Ottomans from the 6th century to the Russo-Turkish war.

For hundreds of years the city was majority Armenian. Now it is Georgian.

Definitely a store children love to visit. Look at all the bicycles, and tri cycles for the little ones too.

In the old part of the city one can see the great Rabati Castle, built by the Ottomans around a mosque, and St. Marine's Church

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