GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Gremi

Lost capital rising above the wine country

Gremi

Why go

Gremi was the 16th-century capital of Kakheti, built by King Levan in the 1540s after he moved his court from Ujarma. The complex—church, citadel, and royal residence—stood at the height of Kakhetian power before Persian armies burned it in 1615, never to be rebuilt as a capital. Today the Archangel Church survives intact with its original frescoes and royal portraits, while the citadel's tower offers one of Georgia's most sublime views: the Alazani Valley rolling toward the snow-capped Caucasus, vineyards patchworking the plain below. It is history made visible, architecture as witness to a kingdom's brief golden age.

On the ground See

  • The Church of the Archangel Michael, with 16th-century frescoes including a portrait of King Levan and Queen Tinatin
  • The three-story royal citadel tower, climbable for panoramic views of the Alazani Valley
  • The small on-site museum displaying archaeological finds from the site and period weapons

Practical Know before you go

Best visited April–October; 10km from Telavi, reachable by taxi or as part of a Kakheti wine route.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly