Vardzia Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve

Vardzia is an open air museum in Aspindza Municipality, Georgia, dedicated to the preservation of history and architecture. It was founded in 1938 and since 2008 has been part of the National Agency for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Georgia. This historical museum offers visitors a variety of monuments, including burial mounds, remains of ancient cities, rock settlements, medieval fortresses and various caves. One of the main attractions is the unique complex, carved into the rock between 1184 and 1186. This complex includes hundreds of halls, the main cathedral with stunning frescoes of King George III and Queen Tamar. Visitors are also invited to see the cave village of Ananuri with a fresco of the king of Georgia Lashi-George, as well as other interesting places such as Vardzia Monastery (XII century), Tmogvi fortress (IX-X centuries), Vani Caves (VIII-XVI centuries) and Tsunda Church (XII-XIII centuries). The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except Mondays. Ticket prices: 5 GEL for adults, 1 GEL for schoolchildren and students, excursions cost 25 GEL, and minibus services cost 1 GEL. Admission is free for children under 6 years of age, employees of Georgian and foreign museums (with identification), ICOM members with an identity card, as well as for people with disabilities upon presentation of documents and refugees.