Highland Georgian music

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Arali

In Adigeni district only two Meskh villages are left, Arali and Ude. They both are catholic villages. Because of turk invasion and occupation of region, in XVI century, and active islamisation, many Meskhs turned to catholicism. That's why in south Georgia there are several catholic villages.
Here is one of them:

Catholic church

Orthodox church is being building in village.

Spring...

horseshoe for luck

Another horseshoe

Photos made in April 2009

Old Catholic church near Arali

Arali - village in Adigeni district. Arali is one of catholic Mesketian villages in Samtskhe - Javakheti. There are several churches. This photos are made in one built in XVII century.

At night I think it was more impressive.
Photos made in April 2009

Bolajuri

Bolajuri is village in Adigeni district, region Samtskhe-Javakheti. It isn't touristic destination at all. But I think in any village can be found something interesting. Bolajuri's history is very similar to many villages stories in that region. Before 1944 here lived so called turk-meskhetians. After they where deported to middle Asia, here were settled Imeretians. Old little houses where turned down and typical west Georgian houses where erected here.
The only really interesting place here is "Golden castle" erected in XIII on rock near village. This castle is saved very well. Here are more photos of Golden castle.
Beside castle here is church and graveyard. There is always something interesting in old graveyards.

Road from Abastumani to Bolajuri.

footprints of ancient pagan religion.

Remains of church

Kind of memorial WWII.

Several landscapes:

Another church remains:

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All photos except Golden Castle are made by me in April 2009

Khornabuji castle

 


Khornabuji Castle also known as Tamara's castle, In Dedoplistskaro district was built on edge of Gombori range on rocks masive aproximatly at end of I millenium BC. It controls enterences to Alazani and Ivri valleys. Near caste there is site of ancient settelment, which was described by known greek historical Strabon.
In V century, during times of Vakhtang Gorgasali, Khornabuji was one of the bigest cities in Kakheti region.
In XIII centuri Qween Tamara rebuilded castle and city of Khornabuji was playing very important role in that district.
City was ruined and became decert in XVII century, when Shah Abas ravaged Kakheti and ruined many of it's cities and resetteles more than 100 000 local people to Iran.
Last time castle was rebuilded by king Erekle II, but city life never was renewed.
Near Caste id located town Signagi, which is one of the most visited by tourists towns in Kakheti and Town Dedoplistskaro. From Dedoplistskaro to Khornabuji leads rtouristical trail, which it 4 km lenth.
Castle today is located on territory of Vashlonvani National Park.
From top of castle is very good view on almost all Alazani and Ivri valleys and Caucasus range.
Visit of Khornabuji can be combined with vine tours in south Kakheti region and with Signagi trip.

Photo made in January 2009



March 2009

November 2009

View from Khornabuji to Alazani valley and Caucasus

Chapala fortress

Chapala fortress is located in Kvemo Kartli district, near town Bolnisi. In this district there are plenty of such fortresses built between XII - XVIII centuries, Capala itself was built in XV-XVI century and has typical architecture for that period of time.