Sights of Georgia in Kakheti, a fortress with two names Chailuri or Niakhura.
The Chailuri or Niakhura Fortress is one of the most interesting sights of Georgia. The first name of the fortress castle of Niahura comes from the name of the river on the bank of which it is located. The second - the Turkish-Persian has a connection with one of the battles
The sights of Georgia are inexhaustible, but some of them are worth paying special attention to. The Chailuri fortress has 2 names, and the second name is Niakhura. Each of them has its own history.
Location: Kakheti region, Sagarejo Municipality. A good reference point is the intersection of the Kakheti highway, since it is here, on the left bank of the Chailuri River, that the fortress, which is sometimes called the castle, rises. Coming here you realize that this is 100% true, there is always something to see in Georgia.
As you have already understood, one of the names of the fortress came from the name of the river and the village that is located on its shore. But what does this incomprehensible word mean. In fact, these are not 1, but 2 words of Turkish-Persian origin. It translates as follows: tea is water, luri is a ravine, that is, water from a ravine.
This phrase eventually turned into one of the most common phrases in Georgia: "drink Chailuri water", which stands for "get lost" or "abyss". History has given such a sad meaning to a seemingly ordinary phrase.
During the period of frequent attacks by Dagestan feudal lords, people, in order to free prisoners and take their cattle from the invaders, went after the enemy into the gorge. If it was not possible to overtake the enemy, the prisoners were no longer destined to ever return home, and the pursuers informed about this with the phrase "failed to drink the water of Chailuri".
The fortress owes its second name to the war of 1800. During that period, Heraclius II died. This made it possible for Omar Khan to gather an army and go against the inhabitants of Kakheti. Alexander Iraklievich, who was against the Russian government in Georgia, also spoke in support of Khan.
After 2 months, the enemy reached the very valley of Iori. All this time, George XII tried to resolve the issue through negotiations and conclude a peace treaty. Only the opponent, who was confident in his abilities, was not interested in it. There was no other way out for Grigory: he had to gather people.
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The Georgians, and with them the Russians, quickly responded and formed their own army to resist. On November 7, a confrontation took place in Niakhura, which lasted only 3 hours, and ended with the victory of George XII. This memorable event gave the second name of the fortress.
But not only the name is of interest. Judging by the architecture, the fortress was built in the Middle Ages, around the 16th century. As for most structures of that period, the main task was defense. But for this place it was especially important, because behind the fortress there was an entrance to the Iori Valley, and from there the way to Tbilisi opened.
This fact is an explanation of why there were so many battles here. By the way, this place is significant for Georgians for another reason. Not far from the fortress in 1801, the last battle for the newly independent Georgia took place. All this did not pass by, and in the 20th century the fortress was seriously damaged, as a result of which the prison located here had to be rebuilt.
From the point of view of architecture, the fortification has the shape of an asymmetrical five-pointed star. Each of the peaks is a tower with loopholes. Loopholes are located around the perimeter. For the convenience of fighting, the wall is crowned with teeth.
Going inside, you notice that there was clearly some kind of quadrangular building inside, the fate of which is unknown. The building, which has experienced so much in its life, and still stands proudly above others, deserves to be included in the list of "the most beautiful places in Georgia".
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