© Administration of the State Representative –Governor, 2009
Kazbegi District
Sno
Sno Fortress is located on the embankment of the river Sno that is the right tributary of the river Tergi. It is erected on a barely accessible rocky hill in the village of Sno. The fortress has a circular wall with a pyramid shaped tower in the middle.
It was built at approximately the end of 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century. Sno Fortress dominated the terrain where only difficult but short trails ran to Khevsureti, Pshavi and Mtiuleti (along the Gudamakari valley).
The fortress belonged to Ghudushauri Family mentioned in a passage by Vakhushti, “Here is Ghudushauri’s small fort that is currently quite strong…”
According to Gergeti in “Chronicle of Spirits”(1430), Kvireisdzali was the name of the village located on the present day Kvire Mountain (in Sno) where a man by the name of Shalva Ghudushauri moved to settle as a representative of the Royal Court.
Gergeti Holy Trinity Church
Gergeti Holy Trinity Church represents an outstanding monument of Georgian Architecture. It is located on the summit of a mountain some 2200m above sea level, in front of the glacier, on the right side of the river Chkheri (tributary of the river Tergi), and north of Stepantsminda. The church belongs to the diocese of Stepantsminda and Khevi (mountain region). According to ancient historic sources and its architectural style, the Holy Trinity Church was built as a monastery complex in the 14th century, the time when the Georgian Church was flourishing. Only the Holy Trinity Church, the perimeter wall and the bell tower dating back to the 16th century have survived to present day. The southern wall of the church has an additional building called the “Council Room,” the place where, according to the ancient mountain tradition, the Elders would assemble to make important decisions.
The Trusso Valley
The Trusso Valley is a magnificent natural monument, which once was quite a densely populated area consisting of small villages, flat-roofed houses, old districts and fortresses. These villages managed to maintain their historic appearance better than the ones restored in Khevi (mountain region). Also in the Trusso valley, several small hall-type churches are found dating back to the 10th century.
Kazbegi Kari Church
The church was built in honor of Michael the Archangel from 17th to 19th centuries.
Bethlehem Cave
Bethlehem Cave is situated in the kingdom of glaciers above Gergeti Holy Trinity Church. Monks from the 8th to 12th centuries used it as a cell.
Among the unique natural monuments are:
Bethlehem Pillar, the Khada Valley, Tkharsheti Forest (in the vicinity of Goristsikhe and Sioni Villages) and Khorsari Lava Cave (near Kobi Village.)
Kazbegi