Fortress of Manavi (Region of Kakheti)
Fortress of Manavi (Georg. მანავის ციხე) is built on a high mountain of strategic importance, at an altitude of 780 meters and completely controls the surrounding large territory. The fortress has been preserved in a badly damaged form and it is almost impossible to restore its original appearance. In terms of hill topography, the western part of the castle is the most protected side. The remaining three sides are fortified with walls with towers. The building layers of two different periods can be traced in its architecture. The old layer belongs to the period of strengthening the Kakhetian kingdom, X-XI centuries. The second layer includes fragments of the palace and residential buildings XVI-XVIII centuries. This period coincides with the founding of the residence of the Kakhetian kings in Manavi.
The analysis of the remaining remains shows that the fortress consisted of two parts: the citadel and the lower castle, located to the east of it. The lower part is almost twice the size of the citadel. Below the slope, a fragment of a wall about 100 meters long has been preserved. The main entrance to the defensive complex was located in the middle of the northern wall of the lower castle. Here stood a tower, under which there was an arched passage. The tower guarding the entrance is completely destroyed today. Stone tombstones are scattered throughout the territory of the fortress. In the course of cleaning up the territory of the castle, rich archaeological material from the developed and late Middle Ages was discovered. In 2006, Manavi fortress was awarded the category of an immovable cultural monument of national importance.
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