Why go
Ujarma rises from the Iori River valley as one of Georgia's oldest continuously inhabited strongholds, founded in the 3rd century AD by King Aspacures I and later rebuilt by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century. This was the seat of Kakheti's eristavis (dukes) before Telavi took precedence, and the walls still bear the layered masonry of centuries—Roman, Persian, and Georgian hands alike. The fortress commands sweeping views east toward Dagestan, a reminder of its role guarding the trade routes and royal succession. Its crumbling towers and reconstructed chapel offer rare intimacy with Georgia's pre-medieval power structures, unsullied by crowds.