Narikala Fortress

source: tbilisi.ivan.ru

One of the symbols of Tbilisi, suggesting it brilliant defensive past and the city’s prime attraction is Narikala Fortress. Narikala means the “Impregnable” in Georgian. It represents an ancient defensive structure that dominates the city. It stands on the mount Mtatsminda and offers a wonderful views over the city of Tbilisi. Narikala - is one of the most ancient monuments of Georgian architecture, it was built as far back as the 4^th century AD. Originally, the fortress was called Shuris Tsikhe, which meant the “Hostile Fortress”. However, following the Mongo -Tatars invasion the fortress got it present name of Narin - Kala, the denomination derived from the Turkic worlds Naryn, that is “ small “and Kala -“fortress”. Historical data reveals that Narikala, which was located at the intersection of the Great Silk Road, was the most fortified among the defensive structures of Tbilisi. However, in 1827 it was destroyed on a strong earthquake, and from that moment the citadel had not been entirely restored.