Cultural heritage and historical landmark of Georgia - Stone fortress with a century of history - the fortress of Gori. Historical information.

A stone fortress with a century-old history in the region of Shida Kartli is located on a rocky hill in the center of the city of Gori. According to the results of archaeological excavations and the materials found, it can be assumed that the first settlements appeared on this site in the IV-III centuries BC.

In written sources, the first mention of the Gori fortress dates back to the XIII century. This building had a special strategic position and played a key role in the history of Shida Kartli: owning it meant governing in this region.

In the XVII century, Tsar Rostom asked one of the missionary preachers living in the city of Gori, Christopher Castelli, to depict the fortress. This painting is of particular value, as it is the first painting depicting a Georgian fortress and which has survived to this day.

Judging by this image, it can be assumed that the main part of the Gori fortress that exists today was built during the reign of Tsar Rostom. Castelli's painting depicts four flags flying over this fortress, a camp located on a slope with horsemen equipped with spears, and a cluster of houses consisting of one or two floors.

In the old layers of the walls of the structure, treated stone was used, and the building itself is made of cobblestone. The western part of the fortress has its own name - “Tskhrakara". It has been preserved better than the others. There are also additional walls on the southern and eastern parts of the building.

The arched gates are located on the southern wall, and a little to the east of them are the ruins of small churches. Gori Fortress was specially equipped with a tunnel and a reservoir to maintain and replenish water supplies.