Petra fortress in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia.

In the eastern part of Georgia, above the small village of Likani, on a high cliff, the Petre Fortress, the former “Kverbilis Tsikhe” Fortress, proudly rises. This medieval architectural gem, owned by the feudal Avalishvili family, stands on the right bank of the Mtkvari River, protecting the river bridge and road leading from Likani to the historical villages of Papa and Nua, now part of the Borjomi districts.

In the 16th century, after the conquest of Tori by Ottoman soldiers, the Petre Fortress became the center of the Ottoman administration. Consisting of a citadel and an associated lower courtyard, it has undergone restorations and changes over time. The ruins of various structures decorate the space between the wall and the courtyard, and inside the fortress traces of ancient residential halls, granaries and qvevri are visible. Embrasures and parapets in the fortress wall give it impressiveness and character.

However, this is not just an architectural heritage. In the 11th-12th centuries, adjacent to the Petre Fortress, there was the settlement of Kverbila with a church and cemetery, which makes this historical complex even more unique.

Visiting the Petre Fortress, you will plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, where the stone walls tell you a story of power, protection and change. This place attracts not only history buffs, but also all those who are looking for amazing architectural masterpieces that have come to life under the rays of the Georgian sun.