Georgian Chronicles
Stories from Sakartvelo
Journey through the land where legends come alive. Discover insider stories about Georgia's ancient traditions, hidden gems, and transformative experiences.
Stories about History
History6 min readUplistsikhe or Vardzia: Which Cave Town to See?
Uplistsikhe is a pre-Christian rock-cut town 1.25–1.5 hours from Tbilisi; Vardzia is Queen Tamar's 12th-century cave monastery, 4–5 hours away and partly closed since the 27 May 2026 rockfall. How they differ, how long each takes, and who each suits.
History6 min readMtskheta: Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Guide
Mtskheta is about 20 km from Tbilisi and easy in half a day: Jvari Monastery above the meeting of the Aragvi and Mtkvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro. What each is, the dress code, how long to allow, and what to combine it with.
History6 min readDavid Gareja Monastery: How to Visit in 2026
In 2026 the Lavra monastery at David Gareja is open and free, but the Udabno caves and ridge walk on the Azerbaijani border are closed or unpredictable. How to get there, when to go, the dress code, heat and snakes, and combining it with Sighnaghi.
History4 min readVardzia Cave Monastery: Visiting After the 2026 Rockfall
Vardzia is a 12th-century cave monastery cut into a cliff in southern Georgia, 4–5 hours from Tbilisi. What it is, what is open since the rockfall of 27 May 2026, tickets and hours, and whether to go in a day or with a night nearby.