Khikhani Fortress (Region of Adjara)

Khikhani Fortress (Georgian: ხიხანის ციხე) – One of the ancient pearls of mountainous Adjara. Built in the XII-XIII centuries, it is located on the top of the Khikhani Mountain. The fortress was of strategic importance. It controlled trade routes passing through the territory of Adjara and was a refuge of Georgian nobility. The strategic location of the fortress was always used for military purposes. The fortress is impregnable and for many years served as an observation point and spiritual center for the inhabitants of mountainous Adjara. The area of the fortress is about a hectare, only a small part of which is leveled, and most of it is steep and precipitous. The castle has preserved ruins of many buildings, some of them partially and some completely leveled.

The fortress is built at an altitude of 2635 meters above sea level, on three sides of which are impassable rocks, and along the mountain ridge built a wall connected by four towers. All four towers have a strictly rectangular shape. The height of the walls, preserved to this day, about 7-8 meters. In the walls around the perimeter were made notches through which it was possible to watch the enemy and use, if necessary, as loopholes. During the archaeological excavations of the fortress five large traditional Georgian clay wine vessels “kvevri” were discovered. Later excavations uncovered another 43 vessels, which probably stored water. The fortress also contains the ruins of the temple of St. George, the patron saint of Georgia.

Village Zeda Tkhilvana (Georgian: სოფელი ზედა თხილვანა), Khulo Municipality (Georgian: ხულოს მუნიციპალიტეტი)