Things to do in Ananuri

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Ananuri Fortress Complex

Ananuri Fortress Complex is located on the banks of the Aragvi River, approx. 70 km north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and adjacent to the Zhinvali Reservoir. It is a nearly unavoidable stop when traveling north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi. Since the 13th century, this has been a castle and military fortress for the feudal lords of the Aragvi dynasty, with the existing walls and main structures mostly dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. It consists of two castles, upper and lower, and continuous walls. The lower castle with its round tower is now just ruins, while the side along the ridge, along with the square Sheupovari tower, is well-preserved. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and the mountains on the opposite bank. The scene featuring the walls, church domes, and the surrounding landscape makes this a popular location for travelers in Georgia.

Zhinvali Water Reservoir

Zhinvali Water Reservoir is an artificial lake in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, formed by a hydroelectric dam built on the Aragvi River during the Soviet era. The dam is over 100m high. Construction began in the 1970s and was completed in the 1980s. In addition to generating electricity, it also supplies drinking water to Tbilisi. The reservoir's water is a turquoise blue-green all year round, and its narrow, long surface winds through the mountains. On sunny days, the lake is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the shadows of the mountains and clouds. It is one of the classic stops on the way from Tbilisi north to Kazbegi and Gudauri via the Georgian Military Highway, and most day tours stop here for sightseeing after entering the mountains.

Ananuri

Lake Ananuri is located about 70 kilometers north of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, and is the only way from Tbilisi to the Kazbegi Mountains area in the north. A very famous scenic spot on the shore of Ananuri Lake belongs to the Ananuri Castle at the western end of the lake, which has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2007.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, approx. 20 km from the capital, Tbilisi, and is one of the largest surviving medieval church structures in Georgia. It is renowned for its magnificent stone architecture and exquisite carved decorations. The building features a traditional Georgian cross-dome layout, with a towering central dome and heavy stone walls that create a solemn appearance. The exterior walls are decorated with crosses, reliefs, arched windows, and symbolic stone carvings, showcasing the unique style of medieval Georgian architectural art. The interior of the cathedral preserves murals, religious icons, and historical relics, with some decorations reflecting artistic styles and religious traditions from different periods.

Zhinvali Dam

No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Jvari Monastery

Jvari Monastery stands on a rocky hilltop overlooking the ancient city of Mtskheta. At the foot of the mountain lies the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers. From the platform in front of the church, you can look down at the two rivers flowing together. When the water levels are right, their distinct colors are visible, and you can take in the rooftops of the ancient city and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on the opposite bank. Inside the church, beneath the dome, the stone pedestal that once held Saint Nino's Cross remains, now topped with a wooden cross. The lintel on the south facade features a relief of two angels holding up a cross, while the east wall displays statues of the nobles who funded the church's construction and ancient Georgian inscriptions, all of which are worth a closer look. It remains a pilgrimage site for the Georgian Orthodox Church to this day, and the views of the river confluence and the panoramic cityscape are best captured in the soft light of early morning or evening.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi stands on Elia Hill on the left bank of the Mtkvari River and is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church adopts the traditional Georgian cross-dome architectural style, with the central dome covered in gold leaf and a gilded cross standing at the top, reaching a total height of nearly 100 m including the underground section. Thanks to its massive size and commanding position, its golden dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tbilisi. The interior of the church is also worth a close look. In the northeast corner, there is a mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary; the southeast corner houses a display case with a cross and a handwritten Bible; and the northwest corner displays a model of the holy city of Jerusalem made of mica. The church also has several chapels underground, and the main murals were painted by contemporary Georgian artists in a traditional style. In addition to the main cathedral, the entire complex includes auxiliary facilities such as a separate bell tower, a monastery, and a seminary, which are quite impressive in scale. As the mother church of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the cathedral hosts Orthodox rituals and religious activities all year round. The interior murals and mosaic decorations create a solemn religious atmosphere, and from the cathedral's platform, you can overlook the city of Tbilisi and the scenery on both banks of the Kura River.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Chronicles of Georgia

Chronicles of Georgia stands on the top of Ghani Hill in the northern suburbs of Tbilisi, right next to the Tbilisi sea, and is a massive sculpture complex that sculptor Zurab Tsereteli began building in 1985. 16 bronze pillars, each approx. 35 m high, form an open array on the vast hilltop, looking like Stonehenge from a distance, and are therefore also known as the "Chronicles of Georgia". The pillars are covered with bronze reliefs from bottom to top: the lower sections depict biblical stories and the life of Christ, while the upper sections feature Georgian kings, queens, commanders, saints, and poets, interspersed with scenes of daily life such as grape harvests and festive feasts. Beside the pillar array stand the Grapevine Cross of Saint Nino and the Church of the Annunciation.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Georgia-Russia Friendship Monument

Georgia-Russia Friendship Monument stands on a high hill beside the Georgian Military Highway, between the Gudauri Ski Resort and the Jvari Pass, and is a popular stop on the way from Tbilisi to Kazbegi. The structure itself is a semi-circular stone and concrete building, but the real highlight is hidden inside the arch: a giant circular mosaic mural spreads along the inner curved wall, depicting historical scenes and figures of Georgia and Russia in vibrant colors, and featuring verses by the Georgian poet Rustaveli. It is a classic example of large-scale Soviet-era murals.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Gergeti Trinity Church

Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a hill at an altitude of over 2,000 m at the foot of Mt Kazbek in northern Georgia and is one of the iconic landmarks in the Caucasus region. The church was built in the 14th century and features a cross-dome architectural style. It is the only domed church in the entire Khevi region. The complex consists of the main church, a separate bell tower, and surrounding stone walls, with an exterior facade built of dark gray andesite, presenting a simple and solemn style. The church is located on a remote highland and historically served as a treasury and refuge for the ancient city of Mtskheta for a long time. During times of war, precious relics, including the Cross of Saint Nino, were transferred here for safekeeping. Today, only a few traces of original murals remain on the interior walls, but the rugged texture of the building itself blends perfectly with the surrounding steep mountains. Standing on the platform in front of the church, you can overlook the full view of the town of Stepantsminda and the valley. The snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Kazbek spread out behind it, and the scene of the church set against the snow-capped mountains has become an iconic view of Georgia.