Chakvinji Fortress (Region of Samegrelo)
Chakvinji (Jikha) Fortress (Georgian: ჭაქვინჯის (ჯიხას) ციხე ) – It is an outstanding and the most important example of Georgian defensive architecture, combining building traditions of different epochs and differing in some cases in its construction solutions. The Chakvinji fortress has a long history. Archaeologists have studied the area and found that the Colchian tribes lived here as early as VIII-VII centuries BC. During the Hellenistic period, one of the branches of the Silk Road passed here and this place was important both economically and strategically. Specifically, it was here that the trade route along which Asian and European merchants passed through the North Caucasus passed. The majestic monument, built in the 4th century, occupies an area of 5000 square meters. meters. A large amount of stone was moved to the top of the high mountain ridge and some walls 2 meters wide are still 6 meters high.
The impregnable fortress of the kingdom of Egrisi (Georgian: ეგრისი). The strongest part of the kingdom of Egrisi – Lazika (Georgian: ლაზიკა), was always the first to meet the enemy coming from the sea. Egrisi fought against the Romans, Byzantines and Khazars. So neither the battle nor the work near this castle slowed down and that is why the Chakvinji Fortress was so large. All this time the fortress was functioning and Georgians firmly defended the fortress, which many people tried to capture. Some Georgian fortresses survived the last war of the not so distant past, a century ago, and Chakvinji Fortress is one of them. According to archaeological excavations conducted in the fortress, a church, chambers and other structures were found on the territory of the fortress. Chakvinji Fortress is included in the list of cultural monuments of national importance of Georgia.
Jikhashkari village (Georgian: სოფელი ჯიხაშკარი), Zugdidi Municipality (Georgian: ზუგდიდის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
