Ujarma - a museum-fortress in Kakheti ⚔️ Discover the secrets of the citadel, temples and palaces!

What will you learn from the article?

• 📜 History of Ujarma and the museum-reserve
• 🏰 Architectural and archaeological attractions
• 🏺 What to see in the museum
• 🚗 How to get there
• 🍴 Where to eat and stay nearby
• 📅 Best time to visit
• 💡 Useful tips for tourists
• 💬 Visitor comments
• ❓ Frequently asked questions

📜 History of Ujarma and the museum-reserve

Ujarma is not just a fortress. It is a living testimony to Georgian history, hidden among the hills of Kakheti. The fortress city was founded in the 3rd-4th centuries under King Asfagura. During the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgasali and his son Dachi, the fortress was expanded, fortified with powerful walls and towers, and a royal palace and churches were built. It was then that Ujarma became the second residence of the kings of Iberia.

⚔️ Arabs, Wars and Decline

In 914, the fortress survived a severe Arab invasion led by Abu-l-Qasim. The citadel was destroyed and lay in ruins for a long time. However, in the 12th century, during the reign of King George III, Ujarma was restored - the royal treasury was again located here.

Unfortunately, after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century and the weakening of the Georgian kingdom, the fortress gradually lost its significance. Over time, Ujarma became a small village, hiding a great history within itself.

🛡️ New life for ancient walls

In the 21st century, Ujarma experienced a rebirth:

• 📜 On November 7, 2006, the fortress received the status of a cultural heritage monument of national importance.
• 🏛️ In 2015, the Ujarma Museum-Reserve was established here.
• 🏛️ The institution became part of the National Agency for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Georgia.

Since then, the ancient walls have begun to breathe again - now they are protected by the state and open to everyone who wants to touch the history of Georgia.

⚠️ Advice for tourists: do not miss the opportunity to climb the stone steps of the fortress, examine the remains of the palace, towers and an ancient church. The landscapes around Ujarma are truly mesmerizing - especially at sunset.

🧭 Today, the Ujarma Museum-Reserve is included in the list of the best historical routes inKakheti - a great place for a day trip from Tbilisi.

🏰 Architecture, fortress and secrets of the dungeons

The Ujarma Fortress is divided into the Upper (citadel) and Lower parts – these were once the royal castle 👑 and the adjacent town 🏘️. Fragments of powerful defensive walls descending the hillside to the Iori River 🌊, with surviving battle towers 🛡️, have survived to this day. In the Middle Ages, there were nine defensive lines here, and cavalry was stationed on their second and third tiers to protect the fortress 🐎.

In the citadel, archaeologists discovered the foundations of a two-story palace – this is where the residence of King Vakhtang Gorgasali 🏛️ was located.

⛪ The Church of the Holy Cross (Jvarpat Iosani), located inside the fortress, deserves special attention. This is a two-level temple: the lower floor was built in the 5th–6th centuries, and the upper floor was added in the 10th–11th centuries. The thick walls are made of large stone blocks 🧱, and the interior is cool and dark, with light coming in from narrow windows 🕯️.

At the foot of the hill, by the river bank, there is another small church (of late origin) — according to legend, the ruins of the very first fortress built by King Asfagur 🧭 were located next to it.

🏺 Traces of life in the Middle Ages

In addition to the surviving buildings, archaeological traces of everyday life can be seen on the territory of the fortress. For example:

• 💧 Remains of a reservoir - a large stone tank for collecting rainwater
• ⚱️ Fragments of pottery
• 💍 Bronze and glass bracelets, rings, jewelry
• 🍞 Ruins of a bakery - an ancient workshop for baking bread

Walking around Ujarma, you are actually walking along the streets of a thousand-year-old city. Every stone here keeps its own history 📜 — and it seems that it is about to start talking...

🏺 What to see in the museum

The Ujarma Museum-Reserve is essentially an open-air museum 🌤️. The main "exhibits" here are the ruins of the ancient fortress itself, atmospheric and picturesque. 🏰 Walking along the winding paths among the ruins, you will see:

🔸 remains of powerful fortress walls 🧱
🔸 surviving towers with observation platforms 🔭
🔸 foundations of the royal palace 🏯
🔸 an ancient church 🕍 with ancient fragments of frescoes

📸 In clear weather, stunning views of the Iori River valley and the mountains of the Tsiv-Gombori Range open up from here 🏞️ - don't forget to take a camera or a smartphone with a good camera!

🧭 At the entrance to the territory, you will be greeted by information stands with a map of the fortress and historical information in several languages. Sometimes museum staff offer excursions - most often in Georgian, but sometimes in Russian 🇷🇺 or English 🇬🇧.

⛪ Services are held inside the church on major holidays. On ordinary days, it is open to visitors - look inside to feel the hidden atmosphere of centuries.

⚱️ What about archeology? Jewelry, ceramics, weapons — archeological finds made during excavations in Ujarma are carefully stored in museum collections. Some have been transferred to the Sagarejo Museum of Local History, where artifacts from the entire region are exhibited.

✨ Even if you don’t see all the artifacts in person, the walk through the fortress itself will leave a deep impression. Here, among the stones and ruins, history seems to resound in every step…

🚗 How to get there

Ujarma is conveniently located, about halfway betweenTbilisi andTelavi, on the picturesque Gombori Pass road. This is one of the most beautiful driving routes in Eastern Georgia.

🛣️ Distance from Tbilisi — about 40–50 km, travel time by car — about 1 hour.

🚘 The road is serpentine, but paved and safe. Along the way, there are breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains.

🅿️ At the foot of the fortress there is a sign and a small parking lot. From there — 5–10 minutes walk along the path up the mountain to the entrance to the fortress.

🚌 Public transport

🚐 From Tbilisi, minibuses to Telavi (via Gombori) depart from Isani bus station.

📍 Tell the driver that you need to stop at Ujarma - it is a popular point on the route.

🎟️ The cost is about 10-15 lari, the journey takes about 1.5 hours.

🕒 From Telavi, minibuses also go past Ujarma every 30 minutes.

⚠️ Please note: minibuses may not run late in the evening, so plan your return journey in advance.

🧭 Alternative options

🚖 You can get there by taxi (from 60-80 GEL one way).

🚌 Or book an individual transfer with a guide - such excursions often include Ujarma in the route.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For groups - rent a minibus or a car with a driver for a day - it is convenient and economical.

💡 Useful tips for tourists

👟 Shoes and clothing:
Wear comfortable, stable shoes for walking around Ujarma - the climbs can be steep and rocky.
In summer, a hat 🧢, sunscreen 🧴 and sunglasses 😎 will come in handy, and in winter - a warm jacket, hat and gloves 🧤, especially if you are climbing to the top of the hill.

🧳 What to bring:
Be sure to bring a bottle of water 💧, a light snack 🍎, some cash 💵 and a camera 📸 - the scenery here is magnificent.
Mobile network coverage can be spotty 📶, so it's best to save the necessary information on your phone or tablet in advance.

⚠️ Safety:
Be careful on the ruins - do not go near the edges of the walls, especially with children 🧒.
Do not climb the towers - there are not fences everywhere, stick to the paths and observation platforms.

🚻 Infrastructure:
There are no toilets on the territory 🚫, so think about it in advance.
Also, there are not bins everywhere, so it is better to take your trash with you ♻️.
There may be no guide, prepare in advance or use this article as a guide 📱.

🙏 Respect for the place:
Remember: Ujarma is part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Georgia 🇬🇪.
Do not leave graffiti on the walls, do not shout, do not disturb the peace of other travelers and locals.

💬 Now the floor is yours

Have you been to Ujarma? What impressions did this place leave on you? Perhaps you have your own tips or interesting facts that you would like to share 🙌. We will be glad if you tell us about your experience in the comments! If you are just planning a trip and you still have questions, feel free to ask them below. Your reviews and questions help other travelers better plan their adventure. Let's discuss and share our love for amazing Georgia together! 💖