PHOTOGRAPHY:

Ujarma

by Paata Vardanashvili

Uploaded on May 28, 2007 by Paata Vardanashvili

City-fortress Ujarma is situated on the right bank of the river Iori, in 45 km to the east of Tbilisi.

Three main periods of construction are defined. In the second half of the V century, famous Vakhtang Gorgasal “erected numerous buildings in Ujarma” and moved his residence there. After Vakhtang’s death, his heir Dachi was ruling Kakheti for some period from here. In the X century Ujarma was destroyed by Arabian forces of Abul Kassim. In the XIII century, the fortress was restored by King George III, where he arranged treasury.

City-fortress consists of two parts: citadel, located on the plateau of the rocky hill and city on the slope.

City was surrounded by the powerful protective wall with nine quadrangular towers. The towers are three-storeyed, covered by tiled roof with loop-holes. City gates were in the first tower.A royal palace – two-storeyed building with a vault - was located in the eastern part of citadel. Premises were illuminated by big and broad windows and they had hanging balconies.In the middle part of the citadel was ancient church “Jvar-Patiosani” (Church of the Fair Cross). There were dwelling outhouses opposite the church and big reservoirs to keep water.

The whole main system of protection was established in the epoch of Vakhtang Gorgasal. Ujarma is referred to the best samples of fortification constructions of the ancient Georgia.

In the second period (XII century) the destroyed walls were restored and new fortifications and dwelling places were constructed.The third period (XVII – XVIII) was represented restoration of destroyed parts of citadel’s walls.