Day Trip: Uplistsikhe Cave Town

Uplistsikhe, which means “Lord’s Castle,” was founded at least in the Late Bronze Age around 1000 BCE, though written evidence suggests it may be older. A settlement on a branch off the Silk Road, the town was primarily inhabited by artisans and merchants and was a key stop along the trade route linking Byzantium with India and China. Before the country was fully Christianized (326 AD), some caves here were used to celebrate pagan rituals worshipping nature. Today, it is an impressive archaeological site, roughly fifty miles west of Tbilisi (an hour’s drive).

Note: this activity involves walking uphill and climbing steps, and the rock can sometimes be slippery. It is also quite windy throughout the year so be sure to bring layers.