Fortress of Sikhchek (Region of Tao-Klarjeti)
Fortress of Sikhchek (Georg. სიხჩეკის ციხე). Georgian historical region – Tao-Klarjeti (Georg. ტაო-კლარჯეთი), near modern turkish village of Sikhchek, Province of Erzurum (Georg. კარნუ-ქალაქი), Turkey. It is built in a narrow river valley. On the right bank of the river SikhchekisTskali (Georg. სიხჩეკის წყალი), there is a high rocky mountain resembling a truncated cone. Since its original georgian name is unknown, the fortification is referred to as Sikhchek castle, after the name of the nearest village.
One side of the mountain is an impregnable vertical rock, the other side is relatively steep. The fortification was built on the terraces of this steep slope. On one of these terraces, not far from the top, a small square stone church was built. Next to the church, on the second terrace, stands a medium-sized round tower. At the very top, on a small platform, there is another tower. A wonderful panorama of the valley of Oltisi, opens from here.
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