Samtsevrisi Fortress (Region of Shida Kartli)
Samtsevrisi Fortress Complex (Georgian: სამწევრისის ციხე ) – The fortress is located on a mountain hill in the Mtkvari River (Georgian: მტკვარი) basin, near the village of Samtsevrisi. The strategically important fortress controlled the valleys of the Dzama (Georgian: ძამა) and Mtkvari Rivers. The complex with an impressive area, surrounded by a high wall, could accommodate the population of the entire valley. It was intended for a long siege, as indicated by many large residential buildings and an abundance of utility buildings. The first building of the complex, a tower of an original form, dates back to the early feudal period. Later construction took on a large-scale character. The grandeur of the once colossal castle can be felt in the ruins of the feudal palace. Over time, everything was destroyed in such a way that it is impossible to fully determine the original appearance.
In the last period of its existence, the fortification complex was divided into two parts. The northern side is almost level with the ground, the southern is comparatively better. Later, a church, residential and outbuildings, and a cellar with jugs were built on the territory of the complex. The surviving massive wall of the three-story palace was part of a large fence. In the western part of the castle, four-meter walls with windows and combat elements have been preserved. Little is known about the history of this large-scale complex. The ruins of the buildings are multi-layered and indicate several stages of construction carried out over a long period of time. It is known that at the beginning of the late feudal period, the residence of the Fanaskerteli-Tsitsishvili family (Georgian: ფანასკერტელი-ციციშვილი) was located here.
Samtsevrisi village (Georgian სოფელი სამწევრისი), Kareli Municipality (Georgian ქარელის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
