Ujarma Fortress
Ancient royal fortress on the Iori River beside the Gombori road, linked to King Vakhtang Gorgasali, with a citadel and church.
Ujarma FortressPhoto: პაატა შ, CC BY-SA 3.0Ujarma is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, on the right bank of the Iori River beside the Gombori road from Tbilisi to Telavi. It has two parts: the upper fortress, or citadel, on a rocky rise, and the lower town below it. Inside the citadel stand a residential building and a two-storey church whose upper floor dates from the 10th to 11th centuries. The walls once had nine evenly spaced towers, and from the top there are views over the Iori valley and the forested Gombori range.
The fortress is closely linked to King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the 5th-century king traditionally credited with founding Tbilisi, and it is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in Georgia's early history. The site is compact and quick to visit, and it breaks up the drive to Telavi over the Gombori Pass. Few travellers stop, so you may have it to yourself. There are no facilities on site, so bring water.
History
The chronicler Leonti Mroveli attributes the first fortress to King Aspacures I of Iberia in the 3rd to 4th centuries. Vakhtang Gorgasali enlarged it and made it his residence, and according to the chronicles he died here of his wounds; his son Dachi continued the building. Ujarma prospered as a fortress town from the 4th to 8th centuries and fell to Arab forces in 914. King George III restored the citadel in the 12th century and used it as a treasury.
What to see and do
- Walls and towers of the upper citadel
- Two-storey church inside the fortress
- Views over the Iori valley
- Links to King Vakhtang Gorgasali
How to visit
Getting there
Ujarma is on the Gombori road from Tbilisi to Telavi, roughly an hour's drive from Tbilisi; the fortress is about 4 km north of Ujarma village.
When to go
Spring and autumn. Plan 30–45 minutes here.
- Stop here on the way to Telavi via the Gombori Pass, together with Shuamta.
- The walls and paths are uneven; watch your footing and keep children close.
- Bring water; there are no shops or cafes at the site.
Ujarma Fortress: FAQ
Who built Ujarma Fortress?
Chronicles credit King Aspacures I with the first fortress in the 3rd to 4th centuries. King Vakhtang Gorgasali enlarged it in the 5th century and made it his residence.
Is Ujarma on the way to Telavi?
Yes, it lies on the Gombori road between Tbilisi and Telavi, so it makes an easy stop on that route.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Ujarma Fortress.
