Kolagiri fortress
The Kolagiri fortress (Georgian: ქოლაგირის ციხე), is a building of the feudal age (late 18th century) at the Kvemo Kartli region, in the municipality of Bolnisi, east of Georgia.
History[]
The fortress was built by the wife of King Heraclius II, Darejan of the Dadiani family in 1788-1798. It was the last of its kind in feudal Georgia.
Kolagiri fortress served as an outpost for Tbilisi and was a hiding place for the surrounding population during the raids.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the fortress lost its defensive value and was used for some time as a prison. At present, a monastery inhabits the fortress.
Description[]
This complex was one of the last carried out by the Kolagiri resident family of these types built in Kartli-Kakheti. It is built in 1788-1798 by Queen Darejan. In 1801 Darejan wrote to herself: "Build a great fortress and the castle wall." There is a preliminary project that has been built by this fortress. The plan of the prison is square, the area is occupied with 2000 m². It was built of stone and the bricks were used to decorate the towers and entrances. The 6 m high wall is thicker on the first floor and towards the top it is tuned.
The towers have four floors, in which the first three maintained warehouses for weapons, food, and ammunition.
In the center of the fortress is the only building: the Church of St. Ketvan.
Sources[]
- Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia, Vol. 10, p. 545, Tb., 1986.
- Zakaraia P., Old Towns and Castles of Georgia, Tb., 1973
- Zakaraia P., Old Castles of Georgia, Tb., 1988
- Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia