Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is an archaelogical site located 10km east of Gori on the north side of the Mtkvari (Kura) river. Between the 6th century BC and the first century AD Uplistsikhe was one of the main political and religious sites of pre-Christian Georgia, with temples dedicated to the sun goddess. Nowadays Uplistsikhe consists of a number of rock-cut dwellings (houses built into the rock), located on a rocky plateau with countless caves. Most caves have no decorations, but in a few there are some wall or roof carvings. On top of the plateau there is a 9th-10th century Christian basilica, built out of bricks. Uplistsikhe is accessible by road from Gori.