Tsopi Fortress (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Tsopi Fortress (Georgian: წოფის ციხე ) – The fortress is built on the watershed ridge of the Shulavri (Georgian: შულავერი) and Debeda (Georgian: დებედა) rivers. People settled in this area during the early Paleolithic period, and in the early Iron Age there was already a fortified settlement here. A fragment of the cyclopean structure of the defensive wall of the fortress, built in a strategically important place, dates back to this period. Together with other fortresses, it controlled the road to Armenia. Judging by the layout and style of construction, the castle dates back to the 6th century. Rich archaeological material from the 6th-13th centuries was discovered on the territory of the castle. Based on archaeological materials from a later period, it has been established that the fortress ceased to function in the 13th century.
Built on a rocky mountain, the Tsopi fortress combines the upper citadel and the lower fortress. In the upper part, the ruins of the first floor of the citadel and fragments of the fortress wall, built of rectangular blocks of white limestone, have been preserved. For strength, semicircular towers were built into the walls. During the construction of the lower castle, the defensive capabilities of the area were used and a well-protected lower part was created. The protective wall of the lower castle was built only in easily accessible places, between inaccessible rocks and encloses a large area of ​​the southern slope of the ridge. On the terraces of the lower castle are the remains of an old settlement and a small hall church.
Sadakhlo village (Georgian: სოფელი სადახლო), Marneuli Municipality (Georgian: მარნეულის მუნიციპალიტეტი)