Bebristsikhe Fortress (Region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti)
Bebristsikhe Fortress (Beltistsikhe) (Georgian: ბებრისციხე ( ბელტისციხე ))- Fortress is located on a remote high rocky massif on the right bank of the Aragvi River. Bebristsikhe means the Fortress of the Elder.
Once this castle blocked the entrance to Mtskheta from the Aragvi valley and protected the city of state importance from the invasions of nomadic tribes, which, according to archaeological materials, lasted from IV to XVIII century. At the place where the fortress is located, the gorge is very narrow, so it played a very important role in terms of defense. In plan, the historical monument resembles a triangle with towers at the tops.
In the structure of the citadel’s buildings, archaeologists have discovered layers that date back to the ancient era and feudal times. Numerous discoveries made during the archaeological excavations have shown that Bebristsikhe was an active fortress until the XVIII centuries. Nowadays, only ruins remain of all the buildings, including the remains of walls and other structures, as well as three dilapidated towers. The castle consists of two parts – the citadel and the lower courtyard. There is a tower in each corner of the citadel.
The largest is the southwestern three-storey tower, all three floors of which are damaged. The northern tower has all its floors preserved, while only the foundation remains of the eastern tower. The southwestern and northern towers have combat (probably arrow) openings
City of Mtskheta (Georgian: ქალაქი მცხეთა), Mtskheta Municipality (Georgian: მცხეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი)