Narikala Fortress

History of the fortress

The fortress was founded in the 4th century, when Tbilisi was not yet the capital. In the 7th century the Arabs greatly expanded it — an emir ruled the city then, and the fortress became his citadel. After David the Builder returned Tbilisi to Georgia in 1122, the walls were strengthened again.

Most of what you see today is work of the 16th–17th centuries, when the Persians and the Turks took turns ruling the city. In 1827 the fortress was badly damaged — according to various sources, by an earthquake or a gunpowder store explosion — and part of the walls was dismantled. Since then Narikala has stood as a ruin that is gradually being reinforced. About the neighbourhoods below the fortress — on the page Old Tbilisi.

What to see in the fortress

• St Nicholas Church — the first church here dated from the 13th century and burned down; the current one was built in 1996–1997 and painted with frescoes of scenes from the Bible and Georgian history.
• Walls and towers — you can walk along them on the ridge; the best views are from the upper platforms above Abanotubani.
• Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda) — a 20-metre aluminium statue from 1958 by Elguja Amashukeli: in one hand a bowl of wine for friends, in the other a sword for enemies.
• Botanical Garden — lies right behind the fortress, in a gorge with a waterfall.

Best time to visit

In the morning, from 9:00 to 10:30, there are almost no tourists and the light is soft. An hour to an hour and a half before sunset the views are the most beautiful, but there are more people. The cable car runs roughly from 10:00 to 22:00 in winter and until midnight in summer.

How to get up

On foot — 15–20 minutes from Abanotubani by stairs and a path. By cable car — about two minutes from Rike Park, payment only by Metromoney card (card 2 ₾, ride ₾2.5). In winter the cable car runs until about 22:00, in summer until midnight. Details about routes, the cable car and the best time for photos — in our article about Narikala and the article about the cable car.

Tips and safety

• Comfortable shoes: the stones on the paths are slippery, especially after rain.
• The viewpoints are crowded at sunset — come 40–60 minutes before.
• In St Nicholas Church women need a headscarf and skirt, men long trousers.
• In the evening the walls are lit up — the fortress looks beautiful from the embankment and the Bridge of Peace.
• There are no cafés or kiosks at the top — bring water, especially in summer.