The house is cut into rock in the Samsari area. Chambers hewn out of the stone remain of the monastery, and there are no free standing buildings here.
Samsari gave its name to the volcanic range that runs across the Javakheti plateau and separates the Akhalkalaki basin from the eastern uplands. The Armenian church of Surb Astvatsatsin stands about a kilometre away. The rock here is soft and easily worked, which explains the cave houses in the area.
Do not climb on the masonry, as the walls hold worse than they look. The site remains part of the everyday life of the area, and that deserves respect.
Tips
- Combine the visit with neighbouring villages to save time.
- Bring a torch if it is dark inside.
- Wear shoes with a firm sole.
Getting there
- Ask locals for directions, since the short way is not always obvious.
- The last stretch runs along a dirt road that softens after rain.
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