Gremi Architectural Complex (Region of Kakheti)
Gremi Architectural Complex (Georgian: გრემის არქიტექტორული ანსამბლი) or Gremi Castle (Georgian: გრემის ციხე) – Architectural complex in the Georgian historical region of Kakheti. It was once a large and prosperous settlement with churches, shopping areas and its own fortress. The history of Gremi as a city begins in the 15th century, when it became the capital of the Kakheti Kingdom (Georgian: კახეთის სამეფო). The city has maintained its status as the center of political, economic and cultural life in the region for two centuries. The rapid growth of the city was due to the fact that the Great Silk Road passed through it. The whole territory of the city was completely surrounded by a high stone wall with towers and loopholes. In the early XVII century, the army of the Persian Shah Abbas leveled the city to the ground. The fortification on the rock, which is now called Gremi Castle, survived.
The city was never revived from the ruins. The capital of Kakheti was moved to Telavi. In the eastern part of the citadel there is a cross-domed Archangel Church built of brick. The palace was built in a favorable place for defense and represents a peculiar synthesis of a royal palace and a defensive structure. Remains of an underground passage leading to the river have been preserved. The buildings outside the walls were also part of the city of Gremi. A large area was occupied by a commercial district, in the center of which was a closed market and a caravanserai. An Oriental-style bathhouse with hot and cold water supply and related rooms was discovered. The roof of the palace offers a beautiful view of the Alazan Valley (Georgian: ალაზნის ხეობა). Gremi is nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Gremi village (Georgian: სოფელი გრემი), Kvareli Municipality (Georgian: ყვარელის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
