Kveshi Fortress (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Kveshi Fortress (Georgian: ქვეშის ციხე) – The construction of the castle dates back to the period of the developed Middle Ages, however, according to historical sources, its existence can be assumed from an earlier period. The fortress is built on a rock and its plan follows the terrain. From its location, it controlled the roads in the direction from Samshvilde (Georgian: სამშვილდე) to Javakheti (Georgian: ჯავახეთი). Until the end of the 18th century, it served as one of the main outposts for containing enemy forces penetrating this region from the south. An important trade route passed through here for centuries.
Over the centuries, the castle was owned by various noble families. Traces of various buildings have been preserved in the courtyard of the castle, which indicates that the place was used not only for defense, but also for living. There are many traces of antiquity on the territory of the fortress. The most ancient of them are stone steles from the 7th-8th centuries, decorated in some places with carved ornaments. In plan, the castle resembles an irregular rectangle. You can enter the castle through a narrow and long tunnel carved into the rock. The wall was rebuilt several times. Mostly, the walls of the late Middle Ages have been preserved, as evidenced by the slaughterhouses placed in them. The fortress is special in that it was a kind of meeting center for Western and Eastern cultures.
Village of Kveshi (Georgian: სოფელი ქვეში), Municipality of Bolnisi (Georgian: ბოლნისის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
