Ananuri

Ananuri

ანანური
View from the tower
42°09′49″N44°42′14″E
Location	Dusheti,Mtskheta-Mtianeti,Georgia
Type	Fortress, church

Ananuri(Georgian:ანანური) is acastlecomplex on theAragvi RiverinDusheti MunicipalityGeorgia,about 45 mi (72 km) fromTbilisi.

History

Ananuri was a castle and seat of theeristavis(Dukes) ofAragvi,a feudal dynasty which ruled the area from the 13th century. The castle was the scene of numerous battles.

In 1739, Ananuri was attacked by forces from a rival duchy, commanded by Shanshe of Ksani and was set on fire. The Aragvi clan was massacred. However, four years later, the local peasants revolted against rule by the Shanshe, killing the usurpers and inviting KingTeimuraz IIto rule directly over them. However, in 1746, King Teimuraz was forced to suppress another peasant uprising, with the help of KingErekle IIofKakheti.The fortress remained in use until the beginning of the 19th century. In 2007, the complex has been on the tentative list for inclusion into theUNESCOWorld Heritage Siteprogram.

When the castle was under siege, it was not defeated because a secret tunnel led to the water and thus provided a way to get food and water to the people who had taken refuge in the castle. The enemy finally captured a woman named Ana, who was from Nuri, and tortured her to reveal the location of the tunnel. But she chose to die rather than giving the secret away. Hence the castle was called Ananuri, and she became a legend.

Architecture

The fortifications consist of two castles joined by a crenellatedcurtain wall.The upper fortification with a large square tower, known asSheupovari,is well preserved and is the location of the last defense of the Aragvi against the Shanshe. The lower fortification, with a round tower, is mostly in ruins.

Within the complex are two churches among other buildings. The older Church of the Virgin, which abuts a tall square tower, has the graves of some of the Dukes of Aragvi. It dates from the first half of the 17th century, and was built of brick. The interior is no longer decorated, but of interest is a stonebaldaquinerected by the widow of the Duke Edishera, who died in 1674.

The larger Church of the Mother of God (Ghvtismshobeli), built in 1689 for the son of Duke Bardzim. It is a central dome style structure with richly decorated façades, including a carved north entrance and a carvedgrapevine crosson the south façade. It also contains the remains of a number offrescoes,most of which were destroyed by the fire in the 18th century.

Gallery

• 
  Ananuri
• 
  East façade of Church of the Mother of God, Ananuri
• 
  At the edge of the fortress
• 
  View of Lake Schinvali
• 
  Inscriptions

External links

• Georgian government site
• Pictures of Ananuri
• UNESCO site
• International Association of Tourists and Travelers
• Paragliding in Ananuri