Things to do in Uplistsikhe
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Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe is strategically located, with a deep valley to the east and cliffs to the west. Entering the main part of the site, you pass through what was the main gate, at the head of a small ravine, then wind your way up the main street. Over to the left, on the southwest edge of the site overlooking the river, you'll see a cave with a pointed arch carved in the rock above it. Inside, the ceiling is carved with octagonal designs in a similar style to Caracalla's Baths in Rome.
Known as the Theatre, this is probably a temple dating from the 1st or 2nd century AD, where religious mystery plays may have been performed.
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Tamaris Darbazi
A little further up from the Temple of Makvliani, on the left, is the big hall known as Tamaris Darbazi. Here there are two columns built into the cliff and a stone seat dating from antiquity. The stone ceiling is cut to look like wooden beams, and there is a hole to let smoke out and light in. This was almost certainly a pagan temple originally, though the great Christian Queen Tamar may have occupied it later.
To its left is an open area with stone niches along one side, thought to have once been a pharmacy.
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Mtkvari River Tunnel
On your way back down from the Uplistsulis Eklesia, don't miss the long tunnel running down to the Mtkvari River - an emergency escape route that could also have been used for carrying water up to the city. Its entrance is by a short flight of narrow metal steps, behind a reconstructed wall southeast of the Theatre.
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Temple of Makvliani
Further up the street from the Theatre and down to its right is the large pre-Christian Temple of Makvliani, with an inner recess behind an arched portico. The open hall in front of the portico has stone seats for priests, and two rounded holes in the floor for the blood of sacrificial animals.
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Sun Temple
On the right of Tamaris Darbazi is a large cave building with the remains of four columns - probably originally a Sun Temple, used for animal sacrifices, and later converted into a Christian basilica.
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Uplistsulis Eklesia
The 10th-century church near the top of the hill is the Uplistsulis Eklesia. This triple-church basilica was also built over a pagan temple, probably the most important one in the city.
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