The church of the Dormition of the Virgin stands in Vardzia. The feast of the Dormition is called midzineba in Georgian, and churches dedicated to it are not rare in Samtskhe.
Vardzia is known above all for the cave monastery town cut into the sheer slope above the Kura. The village lies in Aspindza Municipality, in a narrow part of the valley where the slopes are dry and stony. Khertvisi fortress and the road to Akhalkalaki are not far away.
Enter quietly if the door is open, and do not disturb those at prayer. 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.
- There is no need to touch candles or icons.
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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