Nokalakevi, historically known as Archaeopolis—a name derived from Ancient Greek meaning “ancient city”—is both a modern-day village and a significant archaeological site located approximately 50 kilometers from Kutaisi, in western Georgia.
This remarkable site is most famous for its early Byzantine defensive structures, ingeniously built to utilize the natural geography of the region. Nestled within a sweeping bend of the Tekhuri River, the fortress was strategically positioned where the river cuts a deep gorge through the limestone terrain to the west. Towering cliffs and rugged hills rise to the north, rendering the citadel virtually impregnable from that side. Connecting the elevated ‘upper town’ with the ‘lower town’ below, a substantial wall once enclosed a thriving settlement where excavations have uncovered stone buildings dating from the 4th to 6th centuries AD.
According to historical records, the first fortress at Nokalakevi was constructed in the 3rd century AD. As the capital of ancient Lazika—an influential kingdom in what is now western Georgia—Nokalakevi held tremendous strategic significance. Its location and fortifications made it a crucial stronghold during the 6th-century conflicts between the Byzantine Empire and the Sasanian Empire, as both powers vied for control of the South Caucasus region.
The site has long intrigued historians and archaeologists alike. During excavations in the 1930s, scholarly debate emerged around the site’s true identity. Some researchers proposed that Nokalakevi could in fact be Aia, the fabled capital of ancient Colchis referenced in the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts—a claim that continues to spark interest and controversy in academic circles.
Today, Nokalakevi stands not just as an archaeological treasure, but as a deeply symbolic part of Georgia’s cultural heritage. Visitors to the site can explore a wealth of religious and historical landmarks within the ancient ruins. These include the remains of once-mighty fortifications, a rare and fascinating tunnel that leads directly to the Tekhuri River, and centuries-old church ruins that hint at the settlement’s vibrant past.
Nokalakevi offers a powerful sense of timelessness. As you wander its weathered stones and shaded pathways, you walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings, and priests—witnesses to centuries of ambition, faith, and resilience in a land where legend and history are forever intertwined.