Located along the Georgian Military Highway and one of the most popular sites in Georgia is the Ananuri Castle Complex. It dates from the 16th and 17th centuries and as travelling northwards from Tbilisi is located just beyond the distinctive azure blue Zhinvali Reservoir, adjacent to the highway. The complex is a fairytale ensemble of two churches and a watchtower packed densely inside massive crenellated defensive curtain walls. The complex consists of an upper and a lower fortress which were joined by curtain walls. The lower fortress, however, is mostly in ruins today. It was here at Ananuri the seat of the eristavis (Dukes) of Aragvi sat. They were a feudal dynasty which ruled the area from the 13th century. The dukes of Aragvi were very ruthless and known for attacking neighbouring clans. The complex was built to control the main road and as a safe haven for them. Of the two churches, one (Church of the Virgin) was built of brick in the first half of the 17th century and the other larger church (Church of the Assumption) was built in 1689 for the son of Duke Bardzem. The fortress was restored in the 18th century and in use until the very early 19th century. The site is on a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status [Text: August 2015].
References
'Mtskheta-Mtianeti', Georgian National Tourism Administration
UNESCO at http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5222/
Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus by Roger Rosen, Odyssey Publications
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