Skhvilo Castle, located in a picturesque area just 3 km from the castle in Kvemo-Chala and 1 km from the village of Pantiani, is an important monument of Georgian history. This ancient castle of the princes of Amilakhvari, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries, played a key role in local history until the mid-17th century.
Skhvilo is a compact castle in the shape of a rectangle with two square towers at the northern and southern ends. The uniqueness of the castle lies in its structure: the walls are decorated with semicircular buttresses, which indicates a possible reconstruction in the era of firearms. Another special feature is the rounded corners of the walls, created by special false towers.
The interior of the castle is cramped and densely built up, which makes it especially interesting to explore. Here are the remains of a small church and a unique fireplace in the form of a stone cabinet with niches, the only one of its kind in Georgia. Despite some restoration work during the Soviet era and the start of cleaning in 2019, the castle still requires restoration.
Skhvilo Castle is unique in that it can be seen from the Batumi highway, Samtavisi Cathedral and the castle in Kvemo-Chala. It is located on a high hill among meadows, offering incredible views of the surrounding area. Usually tourists visit it together with Chala Castle, starting their route from the village of Kvemo-Chala, from where you can drive an SUV to the castle itself.
This castle is also famous for cinema, appearing in Shengelaya and Gabriadze's 1973 film "Jackass".
A visit to Skhvilo Castle will allow you to feel the spirit of ancient Georgia, enjoy its cultural heritage and get acquainted with the unique architecture of this region.
