Ksani Fortress near Mtskheta
Ksani Fortress (Georgian: ქსნის ციხე) is a medieval castle located near Tsikhisdziri village in Mtskheta Municipality, Georgia. Strategically built on Mount Sarkineti and overlooking the convergence of the Ksani and Mtkvari (Kura) Rivers, it is also known as Mtkvari Fortress. In 2007, the castle was inscribed on the list of Georgia's Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance.
Perched atop a mountain, the fortress can be seen from far and wide. Although not a well-known touristic destination, it is an alluring spot for travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path sites. A 30-minute climb to the top will afford you a peek into history and amazing views of the Mtkvari and Ksani river valleys.
History of Ksani Fortress
During the 16th century, Georgia was fractured into several kingdoms and principalities. The Kingdom of Kartli was ruled by David X of Kartli from 1505-1525, and it was his younger brother Bagrat I of Mukhrani (c.1487-1540) who built Ksani Fortress.
When Kakhetian King Av-Giorgi (1511 to 1513), also known as Giorgi the Mad or Georgie the Evil, heard about the construction of the fortress, he immediately set out with an army and attempted to siege it. It is said that towards the end of this siege, which lasted for 3 months, Av-Giorgi mockingly sent wine to Bagrat, thinking he was starving. Bagrat replied by sending Av-Giorgi a live salmon, which he had been keeping in a well. Because of this gesture, Av-Giorgi became convinced that he would be unable to either starve Bagrat or gain control over the fortress anytime soon. Av-Giorgi ended the siege, and in reward for his heroic defense Bagrat was granted the lands of Mukhrani by his brother, King David, an act which marked the start of the long-lasting House of Mukhrani (Mukhran-Batoni) in Georgia.
In 1513, Av-Giorgi made another invasion into Kartli. On his way back to Kakheti, he was defeated by Bagrat’s men, imprisoned in Mtveri Fortress and killed shortly thereafter. Kakheti was then briefly annexed by Kartli.
The fortress was the residence of the Dukes of Mukhrani-Bagrationi from 1513-1733, but gradually fell into ruin. In 1733, the Palace of Mukhrani was built in a nearby valley and the royal family changed residencies.
Ksani Fortress has endured many battles. By the 18th century, it was so damaged that it was no longer fit for combat. Constantine III, Prince of Mukhrani, eventually rebuilt the castle, as is attested by the inscription on the fortress wall that reveals his identity and the year of reconstruction - 1746.
Architecture
The fortress had only two towers, a circular one in the northeast measuring up to four meters tall and a rectangular one in the northwest, although both towers have now lost their original form. When rebuilding the fortress, its wall was fortified with additional structures erected on the east and south, so that the old walls, pocked with artillery shells, are no longer visible from the outside.
Constantine III carried out considerable work on the fortress and even altered its layout. In addition to fortifying the wall, he built four towers of varying sizes and shapes which held both combat and residential functions. The most complex component of the fortress is the southeastern tower, which has six floors. At its foot is a reservoir with a capacity of about 30 cubic meters. There is also a cellar at the reservoir level, where up to 15 kvevri (large earthenware vessels used for the fermentation and storage of Georgian wine) were discovered.
Ksani Fortress has long suffered from landslides. The Soviet government poured a concrete road leading from the valley up to the fortress, but it too was demolished in a landslide. Today the fortress is accessible only from the southwest, and while the road is quite challenging, beautiful views will reward you along the way.