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Geotour

Khuluti Fortress

Kvemo Kartli · History

Getting there
About 80 km (about 2 h) from Tbilisi to the village of Tandzia, the last stretch on rural roads, then about 4 km on foot or by 4x4 track
Best time
April–June, September–November
Recommended stay
Half a day

About Khuluti Fortress

Khuluti is a fortified residence of the Orbeliani lords on a cliff above the Khrami (Ktsia) river in Kvemo Kartli, close to Pitareti Monastery, about 80 km south-west of Tbilisi. Five stone towers set into the curtain wall still stand around an inner courtyard, and few visitors make it here. It suits travellers who like a walk with their history: the approach is a rural hike of about 4 km from the village of Tandzia, and the road in passes Pitareti Monastery.

Must-See Attractions

  • Five towers

    Towers of different heights are built into the curtain wall, with fireplaces and niches still visible inside.

  • Inner courtyard

    Remains of a two-storey residence, a small water reservoir and service buildings.

  • Tunnel

    A steep secret passage climbs up from the river valley into the fortress.

  • Cliff-edge views

    The walls look straight down into the Khrami gorge.

Nearby

  • Pitareti Monastery

    13th-century church of the Mother of God with carved facades, on the road to Khuluti.

  • Tetritskaro

    Small district town on the way back towards Tbilisi, about 1 h by road.

Location

View on map

Good to know

Getting there

About 80 km (about 2 h) from Tbilisi to the village of Tandzia, the last stretch on rural roads, then about 4 km on foot or by 4x4 track.

Best time

Late April to early June is green and mild, and September–November brings autumn colour on the Khrami slopes; midsummer is hot for the open walk, and tracks turn muddy after rain.

Recommended stay

Half a day

Facilities

There are no facilities, shop or water at the fortress; bring water and a picnic.

Walking

Paths are uneven and the towers have unprotected drops; keep children close.

Fees

Free.

History & culture

History

The fortress was built by the local lord Kaplan Orbeliani; most sources date it to the first half of the 17th century, some to the early 18th. It was both a home and a stronghold: each of the five towers had living rooms with fireplaces on the lower floors and fighting floors above. Eighteenth-century chronicles describe it as a reliable stronghold watching the Khrami valley. The walls, towers and the tunnel were cleaned and repaired in a conservation project in 2021–2023.

Nearby destinations

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