Vardzia was built during the reign of Queen Tamar, one of the most celebrated rulers in Georgian history, who ruled from 1184 to 1213. She ordered the caves to be dug as a monastery and refuge high in the cliffs above the Mtkvari River. The cave complex stretches for about 500 metres along the cliff face and goes 19 storeys deep into the rock.
The caves were connected by tunnels, staircases, and even a secret water supply system. There was a pharmacy, a bakery, a wine cellar (Georgians love their wine!), and a beautiful church decorated with paintings that are still visible today. People living inside barely needed to go outside at all.
An earthquake in 1283 caused part of the cliff face to collapse, exposing the front of the caves and making them visible from outside. Before that, the whole settlement was hidden behind rock - a secret city that you would walk right past without ever knowing it was there.
Today you can walk through Vardzia along narrow ledges and step into ancient cave rooms where you can still see carved shelves, sleeping platforms, and the original painted church frescoes. It is one of the most extraordinary places in Georgia - like stepping inside a story from long ago.