Fortress of Boselta (Shatberdi) (Region of Klarjeti)
Fortress of Bosleta (Shatberdi) (Georg. ბოსელთას (შატბერდის) ციხე, Tur. Boselta(Şatberdi) kalesi) – The medieval Georgian castle built in the 9th century in the historical region of Georgia – Klarjeti (Georg. კლარჯეთი), is one of the castles protecting Georgian monasteries in the pool of the Chorokhi River (Georg. ჭოროხი). Located today within the borders of Turkey, the fortress is located in the historic village of Boselta (Georg. ბოსელთა), now Okumushlar (Tur. Okumuşlar). Located at an altitude of 1160 meters, the fortress completely towers over the Monastery of Shatberdi (Georg. შატბერდი). Since its original name is unknown, the fortification is referred to as Boselta Castle or Bozelta, after the name of the nearest village. It is generally accepted that the castle was built with the support of the Klarjeti feudal lords – Kuropalati (Georg. კუროპალატი).
Fortress of Boselta is a rectangular building. The eastern and southern parts of the fortress underwent at least three periods of construction and restoration of the fortress walls, which have survived to this day in very good condition. The eastern part, built from very large blocks, probably belongs to the first phase of construction and must be dated to the end of the 8th century. Within the fortification walls, the remains of a single-nave chapel with a rectangular plan and additional space to the south have been preserved. Based on the work and research carried out, the existence of a unique building was revealed – a three-church basilica in the northeastern part of the Boselta castle. A three-church basilica is a rarity, and this style of church building was common in the 6th-7th centuries.
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