# Aspindza Municipality - URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/aspindza-municipality - Type: municipality - Region: Samtskhe-Javakheti - Official website: https://aspindza.ge ## History Aspindza Municipality lies in the centre of the **Samtskhe-Javakheti** region, in the deep canyon of the **Mtkvari (Kura) River** between Akhaltsikhe and the Javakheti plateau, with the townlet of **Aspindza** as its administrative centre, at about 1,090 m above sea level on the right bank of the Mtkvari. The municipality covers about **825 km²** of rocky gorges, terraces and volcanic uplands, and it is home to some of the most spectacular monuments of medieval Georgia. The jewel of the municipality is **Vardzia**, a vast cave monastery cut into the cliffs of Mount Erusheti on the left bank of the Mtkvari. Built in stages from **1156** under King **George III** and his daughter, Queen **Tamar**, it once included hundreds of rooms on many levels; 242 caves survive today. The **Church of the Dormition**, carved into the rock in the 1180s, preserves frescoes of **1184–1186**, including a famous portrait of Queen Tamar. An earthquake in **1283** destroyed much of the outer slope. Vardzia and Khertvisi are on UNESCO’s Tentative List. Nearby are two more landmarks. **Khertvisi fortress**, one of the oldest in Georgia, rises at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Paravani rivers; its present walls date presumably from the 10th–11th centuries, and King Erekle II retook it from the Ottomans in 1771. The cave monastery of **Vanis Kvabebi**, founded in the 8th century and protected by a defensive wall built in **1204**, lies close to Vardzia. Aspindza is also known for the **Battle of Aspindza** on 20 April **1770**, when King Erekle II of Kartli-Kakheti defeated an Ottoman army near the town. In the 20th century the area’s population changed dramatically with the deportation of the Meskhetians in 1944. For travellers, Aspindza is the heart of a classic route through southern Georgia: explore Vardzia (allow at least two hours), stop at Khertvisi and Vanis Kvabebi, and relax at the riverside guesthouses of the Mtkvari canyon before continuing to Akhaltsikhe or the Javakheti lakes. ## FAQ **1) Where is Aspindza Municipality located?** In the centre of Samtskhe-Javakheti, in the Mtkvari canyon between Akhaltsikhe and the Javakheti plateau. **2) What is the administrative centre?** The townlet of Aspindza, on the right bank of the Mtkvari. **3) Is Vardzia in Aspindza Municipality?** Yes, the Vardzia cave monastery is in Aspindza Municipality. **4) When was Vardzia built?** In stages from 1156 under George III and Queen Tamar. **5) How many caves survive at Vardzia?** About 242 caves. **6) What is special about the Church of the Dormition?** It is carved into the rock and preserves frescoes of 1184–1186, including a portrait of Queen Tamar. **7) What is Khertvisi?** One of Georgia’s oldest fortresses, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Paravani. **8) What was the Battle of Aspindza?** A battle on 20 April 1770 in which Erekle II defeated an Ottoman army. **9) What is Vanis Kvabebi?** An 8th-century cave monastery near Vardzia, protected by a wall built in 1204. **10) Where can I find official municipal information?** On the municipality’s official website. ## Sources - [Aspindza Municipality — official website](https://aspindza.ge) - [Aspindza Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspindza_Municipality) - [Vardzia (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vardzia) - [Vardzia — Georgia Travel](https://georgia.travel/vardzia) - [Khertvisi fortress (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khertvisi_fortress) - [Battle of Aspindza (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aspindza) - [Vanis Kvabebi (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanis_Kvabebi) ## Settlements - [Aspindza](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/aspindza): Discover Aspindza, a town in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Atsqvita](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/atsqvita): Discover Atsqvita, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Chobareti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/chobareti): Discover Chobareti, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Damala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/damala): Discover Damala, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Dzveli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/dzveli): Discover Dzveli, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gulsunda](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/gulsunda): Discover Gulsunda, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Idumala](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/idumala): Discover Idumala, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Iveria](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/iveria): Discover Iveria, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Khertvisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/khertvisi): Discover Khertvisi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Khizabavra](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/khizabavra): Discover Khizabavra, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Mirashkhani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/mirashkhani): Discover Mirashkhani, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Nakalakevi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/nakalakevi): Discover Nakalakevi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Nijgori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/nijgori): Discover Nijgori, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Orgora](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/orgora): Discover Orgora, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Oshora](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/oshora): Discover Oshora, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ota](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/ota): Discover Ota, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pia](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/pia): Discover Pia, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Rustavi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/rustavi): Discover Rustavi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Saqudabeli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/saqudabeli): Discover Saqudabeli, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Saro](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/saro): Discover Saro, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tmogvi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/tmogvi): Discover Tmogvi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Toki](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/toki): Discover Toki, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Toloshi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/toloshi): Discover Toloshi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Vardzia](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/vardzia): Vardzia, the 12th-century cave monastery above the Mtkvari: up to 19 tiers, the frescoed Church of the Dormition, a museum-reserve since 198... - [Vargavi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/samtskhe-javakheti/aspindza-municipality/vargavi): Discover Vargavi, a village in Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. ## This page in other languages - [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/aspindza-municipality) - [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/aspindza-municipality)