Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

Region · 🇬🇪 Georgia

Population 155,282

Area 6,389 km²

Time zone Asia/Tbilisi

Official website samtskhe-javakheti.gov.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti Region – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Bernard Gagnon / cc-by-4.0

Samtskhe–Javakheti Essentials

Samtskhe–Javakheti is defined by its dramatic topography and strategic historical importance. The region features the 12th-century cave monastery of Vardzia and the nearby Vanis Kvabebi, both carved into volcanic cliffs. Medieval defensive architecture is represented by the multi-cultural Rabati Fortress, the precipitous Tmogvi ruins, and Khertvisi, one of Georgia's oldest fortifications. The landscape shifts from the arid Mtkvari valley to the forested Borjomi-Kharagauli mountains, home to the world-renowned Borjomi mineral springs, the Romanov summer residence, and the year-round Bakuriani alpine resort.

10 places

Unknown / Public domain

Historic Fortresses & Ruins

Samtskhe–Javakheti’s landscape is defined by its strategic border position, resulting in a dense concentration of medieval fortifications. This collection features the 12th-century Vardzia cave complex, the multi-layered Rabati Fortress in Akhaltsikhe, and the imposing Khertvisi Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers. The list also includes the remote Golden Fortress (Oqros Tsikhe) and the dramatic cliffside ruins of Tmogvi, offering a comprehensive look at the region’s defensive architecture, from rock-cut tunnels to Ottoman-era bastions.

6 places