Dzalisi Archaeological Site (Region of Mtskheta – Mtianeti)
Dzalisi Settlement (Georgian: ძალისის ნაქალაქარი) – One of the important archaeological monuments of antiquity, the Mound is located in the historical village of Dzalisi. In terms of its historical and stylistic significance Dzalisi could be compared to ancient cities such as Pompeii or Herculaneum. According to archaeological research, around the 3rd century B.C., there was a city on an area of 70 hectares, which played an important role in the life of the Kingdom of Iberia. The first mention of Dzalisi was found in the writings of Claudius Ptolemy. It is not known for what reasons, but in the IV century AD the city fell into disrepair. There are foundations of ancient buildings, fragments of mosaics and ceramics, which will be of interest to lovers of history, archaeology and antiquity in general.
Excavations revealed the ruins of four palace complexes, streets paved with rectangular ceramic slabs, a sewage collector, a water supply system made of ceramic pipes, a pipe network made of lead pipes, an acropolis, and thermae II II century thermae with warm floors and military barracks. An interesting mosaic was discovered in one of Dzalisi’s buildings, which dates back to approx. II century A.D. It depicts a feast led by Ariadne and Dionysus. Images of gods and other characters from Greek mythology can be found on many of Dzalisi’s mosaics. There are even ruins of the temple of Dionysus. Since this god was the patron saint of wine making, feasting, wine vessels and grapevines can be seen in many of the plots.
Dzalisi village (Georgian: სოფელი ძალისი), Mtskheta Municipality (Georgian: მცხეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი)