Ujarma Fortress

Ujarma is a storied fortress town situated just 40 kilometers from Tbilisi, along the scenic route to Telavi, which winds through the breathtakingly beautiful Gombori Pass. For many years, this ancient stronghold remained hidden from the eyes of travelers, quietly resting in the shadow of history. But in 2010, a new highway to Telavi was laid just beside the ruins of Ujarma, opening the gates of this silent sentinel to the world once more. Since then, Ujarma has become a must-see destination and a favored stopping point for those venturing into the wine-rich lands of Kakheti.

Perched atop a hill that commands sweeping views of the valley below, Ujarma is one of Georgia’s most significant monuments of medieval architecture, revered for both its strategic location and profound historical legacy. As early as the 3rd century CE, the fortress served as a royal residence for kings and crown princes. The site reached its zenith during the 5th and 6th centuries under the rule of the great King Vakhtang Gorgasali and his son Dachi. It was during this golden age that the citadel was constructed—complete with towering defensive walls, watchtowers, and a royal palace, along with a church that bore witness to the daily life of a thriving kingdom.

Ujarma became a key military outpost, standing firm against the tide of Arab and Persian invasions that swept across the region. So vital was its role in the kingdom’s defense that in the 12th century, the royal treasury was transferred here, solidifying Ujarma’s position as a guardian of both Georgia’s wealth and sovereignty. Yet, the tides of history proved relentless. The Mongol invasions, the fragmentation of the Georgian kingdom into feuding principalities, and the endless cycle of civil strife all took their toll. Gradually, the once-vibrant city fell into decline, slipping from prominence into obscurity, until it eventually faded into near abandonment.

Today, little remains of Ujarma’s former grandeur. The fortress exists now in fragments—scattered ruins of what were once proud stone walls and steadfast watchtowers. Yet one structure still endures: the Church of Saint Razhden, which continues to function as a place of worship to this day. And despite the ravages of time, Ujarma has not lost its ability to inspire. Many visitors regard the site as one of the finest natural lookouts in the region, offering stunning panoramic views over the Gombori mountain range and the serpentine course of the Iori River, which glimmers far below the hill upon which the fortress stands.

Though its stones may have crumbled, Ujarma remains a silent monument to Georgia’s royal past—a place where legends echo in the wind and where history still lives, not in the grandeur of palaces, but in the solitude of ruins that overlook a kingdom long gone.