Annanuri Fortress

Annanuri is both an old fortress and monastery situated on the right bank of the river Aragvi. The fortress dates back to the early feudal age; it served as an advanced defense post, blocking the road coming from the Daryal Gorge. Annanuri belonged to the powerful appanage princes and these princes were descended from the oldest families of Georgia. In the lower fortress sits a a tower dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. Not far from it, there is a little church from the 16th and 17th centuries, named "Mkurnali” (healing). In the first half of the 17th century the upper fortress was erected that consisted of four round towers. One of the main sights is big cupola shaped cathedral, founded by Kaikhosro Bagsarashvili, in 1689.